Zinner & Co. is a proud title sponsor of the Cleveland Play House production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which runs now through May 6 at the Allen Theater.
Sponsoring this Tony Award-winning musical, is just one of the many ways Zinner & Co. gives back to the community and helps advance the strong performing arts culture found within Northeast Ohio.
A touching and cheeky coming-of-age comedy with a vivacious, improvised spelling bee, this production is a treat for all ages, as “Spelling Bee” focuses on six middle-school students, who take part in a cutthroat, high-stakes competition to prove they have what it takes to be worthy of a shot at “Nationals.”
In late March, Cleveland Play House (CPH) announced the cast of the high-spirited, interactive musical comedy that includes Broadway and TV actress Ali Stroker (Glee, Deaf West’s Production of Spring Awakening), Broadway veterans Kirsten Wyatt (Annie, Elf, Shrek), John Scherer (Sunset Boulevard, By Jeeves, Funny Girl), Lee Slobotkin, Chad Burris (both of Book of Mormon), Kay Trinidad Karns (Little Mermaid) and more in this musical, directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.
In a unique twist, four audience members are invited on stage to compete in the spelling bee alongside the six characters every night, including some special VIP guest spellers.
CPH will begin auditioning interested guests when the Allen lobby opens one hour prior to the performance, and will conclude 20 minutes before the start of the show.
Zinner & Co. partner Howard J. Kass, CPA, CGMA, AEP®, was one of a handful of VIP guest spellers who took to the stage in the production. Other VIP guest spellers to celebrate the inspirational theme and Cleveland community include Betsy Kling (WKYC meteorologist), Kenny Crumpton (WJW FOX 8 morning personality), Tony Zarella (WOIO sportscaster) and Sean Richardson (President of Huntington National Bank Cleveland Region).
“My family has been a fan of the National Spelling Bee for years – my oldest daughter live-blogs for them at the finals each year,” said Kass. “I’m looking forward to being a guest speller – I think it will be a lot of fun!”
Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.
