Porirua Little Theatre brings spelling showdown to the stage

Promotional graphic for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented by Porirua Little Theatre from July 2 to 11, 2026.
Porirua Little Theatre's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from July 2 to 11, bringing comedy, music and a competitive spelling showdown to local audiences.

Competitive spelling, catchy musical numbers and plenty of laughs are set to take centre stage when Porirua Little Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee next month.

Running from July 2 to 11, the Tony Award-winning musical follows six young contestants competing in a spelling bee where every letter counts and every mistake could mean elimination.

Directed by Rob Ormsby, with musical direction by MC Peters and choreography by Nea Warmouth, the production explores the pressures, hopes and insecurities of a group of tween-aged spellers as they chase the title of champion.

Featuring music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, the show blends comedy and heartfelt moments as the contestants navigate both difficult words and the challenges of growing up.

While the competition is fierce, the story is as much about friendship, self-discovery and finding confidence as it is about spelling. Each contestant brings their own unique personality, worries and ambitions to the stage, creating a colourful and entertaining cast of characters.

Since its Broadway debut, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has become a favourite with audiences for its humour, memorable songs and relatable coming-of-age themes.

Porirua Little Theatre’s latest production promises an entertaining night out for theatre lovers, combining sharp comedy with plenty of heart.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from July 2 to 11 at Porirua Little Theatre.

For ticket information and show details, visit Porirua Little Theatre’s website: https://www.porirualittletheatre.co.nz/spelling-bee