Musical comedy and children’s shows set for Open Air Theatre

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Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is set to present the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Little Red Riding Hood.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six young people in the throes of puberty. Set in a school gymnasium, the musical takes a hilarious and heartwarming look at the pressures of growing up through the eyes of quirky yet lovable characters competing for the title of spelling bee champ. The students, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

At every show, four audience volunteers are selected and invited on stage to participate in the bee, making each performance unique.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is recommended for theatergoers age 13 and over.

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1-3.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under.

The classic tale, Little Red Riding Hood, comes to life in a new musical adaptation by Open Air Theatre co-artistic director, composer and lyricist, Louis Palena.

Join Little Red Riding Hood on her Journey through the woods to Granny’s house. Along the way she meets many beloved fairy tale characters all while escaping the Big Bad Wolf.

Palena has taken the story loved by generations of readers and created a new theatrical work that promises to delight audiences of any age. During previous seasons at the Open Air Theatre audiences saw his versions of Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

This season, in addition to Little Red Riding Hood the Open Air children’s series features his productions of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White.

Performances of Little Red Riding Hood are scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 1 and 2; and 4 p.m. Aug. 3.

Tickets are $5.

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is located inside Washington Crossing State Park at 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Titusville.

More information is online at downtownpac.com

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