Newton Native to Star in UMass Boston's Spelling Bee Musical

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Cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

• Newton native Alaine Norcross, who plays Rona Lisa Peretti

BOSTON, MA (04/16/2012)(readMedia)-- A Newton native will take the stage starting April 17 in the University of Massachusetts Boston's first musical in 15 years, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The production, which features music and lyrics by William Paine and a Tony-Award winning book by Rachel Sheinkin, is a hilarious tale of six quirky, yet charming adolescent outsiders hoping for a chance to win the Putnam County spelling bee, which is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

Alaine Norcross, a junior theatre arts major and graduate of Newton North High School, plays Rona Lisa Peretti, the number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and returning moderator.

The show opens Tuesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. and continues through Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission. All performances will take place in the McCormack Theatre, which is on the second floor of McCormack Hall on the UMass Boston campus. Patrons can buy tickets at the door or make a reservation by emailing theatreboxoffice@umb.edu.

Performance Dates

April 17 at 6 p.m.: Student Appreciation Night: Pizza & a Show ($10 ticket/pizza)

April 18 at 6 p.m.

April 19 at 7 p.m.

April 20 at 8 p.m. (Extended T shuttle service available until 11 p.m.)

April 21 at 2 p.m.

April 21 at 8 p.m. (Extended T shuttle service available until 11 p.m.)

April 22 at 2 p.m.