MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck High School Drama Club invites the community to attend its spring musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in the M-PHS auditorium starting at 7 p.m. on April 26, 27 and 28, as well as on May 3 and 4. An additional performance will kick off at 10 p.m. on April 28.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was a recent comedy hit on Broadway, and revolves around six quirky elementary and middle school students who are the finalists in the eponymous spelling bee. According to M-PHS Drama teacher Roy Klementsen, these characters are outsiders who use the competition to define who they are and to separate themselves from their crazy families.

“Their struggles to escape childhood are overseen by grownups who never completely succeeded in escaping it themselves,” Klementsen said. “One of the unique features of this show is the fact that four audience members will be allowed to sign up and actually compete in the spelling bee on stage.”

The cast is a mix of Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell high school students who won their roles during auditions in January. Madison Pickard, Khalina Shurtz, Zach Wells, Anna-Marie Mudd, Mikko Juan, Cherish Broker, Taylor Cannal, Casandra Gramstad, Kimberly Davis, Carly Wilson and Sage Fairbanks make up the cast of the show, with several other students behind the scenes and in the orchestra pit.

The musical is presented without intermission, but free candy and other goodies will be thrown into the audience at some point during the show. Audience members who volunteer as spellers will also receive complimentary juice boxes.

Tickets are $8 for adults, and $7 for students with ASB and senior citizens. The M-PHS auditorium is located at 5611 108th St. NE in Marysville.