SEE THE FULL 2026/27 SEASON

VENUE

SHOCTOR THEATRE

RUNTIME

EVENING SHOWS:
7:30 pm - 9:35 pm
MATINEES:
1:30 pm - 3:35 pm
Act I: 60 min Intermission: 20 min Act II: 45 min TOTAL RUNTIME: 2 hr 5 min

Runtimes are approximate estimates, and may vary between performances.

CONTENT ADVISORY

Age Recommendation: 12+

  • Not recommended for younger children
  • Mild coarse language
  • Mature content (sexual innuendo, discussion of puberty/body changes, family issues, anxiety, personal struggles)
  • Mild religious satire
  • Theatrical effects (including theatrical haze, flashing lights, strobe effects)
  • Parental guidance is advised

Age recommendations and content advisories have been thoughtfully prepared by Citadel Theatre staff. However, we understand that individuals may engage with content in different ways. We encourage patrons to consider their own comfort levels, as well as the suitability for any accompanying youth, before attending.

PROGRAMS & MORE

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

SEE THE FULL 2026/27 SEASON

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

July 4 - August 2 2026

Music & Lyrics by William Finn Book By Rachel Sheinken Conceived by Rebecca Feldman Additional Material by Jay Reiss Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine Directed by Mieko Ouchi

The Tony Award–winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious celebration of words, competition, and growing up. In the high-stakes world of a spelling bee, six awkward adolescent champions face off as emotions run from A to Z. With each word spelled, the pressure rises and more than a trophy is on the line. Packed with clever wordplay, infectious songs, and laugh-out-loud humour, this fast-paced musical races to the finish with heart and charm. Six competitors enter but only one can be crowned champion of the bee.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with the Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
SEASON SPONSOR
CAPITAL POWER
CAST
Jill Agopsowicz
  • Rona Lisa Peretti
  • Olive's Mom
Sheldon Elter
  • Mitch Mahoney
  • Dan Dad
  • Olive's Dad
Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks
  • Marcy Park
Rain Matkin
  • Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (Schwarzy)
Christina Nguyen
  • Olive Ostrovsky
Cody Porter
  • Vice Principal Douglas Panch
Mark Sinongco
  • Chip Tolentino
  • Jesus
Farren Timoteo
  • William Barfée
  • Carl Dad
Michael Watt
  • Leaf Coneybear
UNDERSTUDIES
Jill Agopsowicz
  • Olive Ostrovsky
Corben Kushneryk
  • Vice Principal Douglas Panch
  • Leaf Coneybear
  • William Barfée / Carl Dad
Gunho Kwak
  • Mitch Mahoney / Dan Dad / Olive's Dad
  • Chip Tolentino / Jesus
Gillian Moon
  • Rona Lisa Perretti / Olive's Mom
  • Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (Schwarzy)
  • Marcy Park
CREATIVE TEAM
Mieko Ouchi
  • Director 
Janice Flower
  • Music Director 
Ainsley Hillyard
  • Choreographer
Patrick Rizotti
  • Set Designer 
Deanna Finnman
  • Costume Designer 
Patrick Beagan
  • Lighting Designer 
Emily Porter
  • Sound Designer
Mhairi Berg
  • Assistant Director 
Ana Camacho
  • Assistant Set Designer
Madison Henry
  • Stage Manager 
Nyssa Beairsto
  • Assistant Stage Manager 
Jessica Haight
  • Apprentice Stage Manager
BAND
Janice Flower
  • Conductor
  • Keyboard 1 
Theron Pierce 
  • Cello 
Keat Machtemes
  • Keyboard 2 
Mark Segger
  • Percussion 
Dana Anderson
  • Reeds 
Dan Davis
  • Reeds 

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

Six young Spellers arrive at a school gym early one day to face down other competitors, their own nerves and some of the hardest words you can imagine spelling, led by three adults who each have their own intensely personal reason to be there, and are swept up in the storm of emotions that are a Bee…

What a hoot!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a dearly beloved musical for so many wonderful reasons – the writing, the music, the choreography, the spelling – that we as a creative and technical team have been charmed by as well. But also we’ve been so moved by the sincerity and sweetness of the characters as they overcome huge challenges in life, the powerful stakes of the moment but above all… the heart.

And now we get to share it with you!

We sincerely hope you enjoy this hilarious story as much as we have had putting it all together!

A thousand thank you’s to Daryl for entrusting me with this show, to the beautiful group of humans – artists and technicians and Citadel staff, who worked so hard and who brought so much of their own vulnerability, joy and memories of being a young person to the musical as well as their incredible talents and skills. And a huge Bravo to all our brave volunteers who have jumped into the show as Spellers, trusting us to care for you!

Thank you for coming and may the joy of the show carry you through the rest of these beautiful sunny days of summer…

– Mieko Ouchi | Director

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, One Man, Two Guvnors.

Other Theatre: Murder on the Orient Express (RMTC); Grease, Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, All Shook Up (Mayfield); The Last Christmas Turkey (Theatre Orangeville); Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (Theatre Calgary- Betty Nomination).

Film & TV: Umbrella Academy (Netflix), The Hot Zone: Anthrax (National Geographic/Disney), Workin’ Moms (CBC).

Love to Brandon.

Citadel: A Streetcar Named Desire, Jersey Boys, The Fiancée, Garneau Block, A Christmas Carol, Alice Through The Looking Glass, One Man Two Guvnors, Vimy.

Other Theatre: Come From Away (The Grand Theatre), Métis Mutt (One Little Indian Productions); Beautiful Scars (Theatre Aquarius); The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon (ATP); The Bear, Every Brilliant Thing (Caravan Farm Theatre); Sweeney Todd (Plain Jane Theatre); Where The Blood Mixes, King Lear, Queen Goneril (Soulpepper); BEARS (Punctuate!); NEVERMORE (Catalyst).

Citadel: Asst. Director: Wizard of Oz, Christmas Carol. Choreography Team: Little Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Actor: Christmas Carol, The Candidate, The Party.

Other Theatre: Narnia (Asst. Director, Bad Hats/Soulpepper/Crows); Cursed Child (Broadway / San Francisco); Wendy and Peter Pan, Cymbeline (Stratford Festival); This London Life (Grand); Girls Like That (Tarragon); Boys Girls…Mythological Creatures (Carousel).

Film & TV: Rubble & Crew, From, Law & Order Toronto, Murdoch Mysteries, Barbelle, Hudson & Rex.

Immense gratitude to Cameron, Freddie, and the Grandmas.

Citadel: Vinyl Cafe: The Musical

Other Theatre: One Night with Roy Orbison (Mayfield); Die Harsh, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grindstone); Victor & Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things (Thought Train); Radiant Vermin (Northern Light); Sunday in the Park with George, Legally Blonde, London Road (MacEwan University).

This one is for all the nerds, geeks, and those who dare to try really hard. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Evan, and all of my teachers along the way.

Citadel: Actor: Death of a Salesman, Little Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘70s Musical, A Christmas Carol, The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, Clue, Jane Eyre, Going Solo. Assistant Music Direction: The Wizard of Oz.

Other Theatre: Everyone is Doing Fine, Here There Be Night (WWPT); Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Winter’s Tale (Freewill Shakespeare); Alina, Michael Mysterious (Pyretic Productions).

University of Alberta BFA Acting Alumni. Much love to C & S.

Citadel: Come Hell or High Water, An Agatha Christie Mystery A Comedy (Collider Festival)

Other Theatre: Angry Alan (Northern Light); As You Like It (Freewill); The Laws of Thermodynamics (Theatre Yes/WWPT)

Film & TV: Painkiller, Connecting Flights, The Moustache

Citadel: Legally Blonde, Disney’s Frozen

Other Theatre: Footloose, Grease (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); The Tale of the Gifted Prince (Theatre Calgary); Bring It On: The Musical (Globe Theatre); Disney’s Frozen (Grand Theatre), Rocky Horror Show, Die Harsh, Jason Kenney’s Hot Boy Summer (Grindstone Theatre); Sweeney Todd (Plain Jane Theatre)

Film & TV: Me and Mr. Christmas

So much love to J-O-N and my pet P-E-E-V-E. Enjoy the show!

Citadel: Spamalot, Peter and the Starcatcher, Made in Italy, Shakespeare in Love, As You Like It, The Fiancée, Jersey Boys, The Three Musketeers

Other Theatre: His work as an actor, writer, and director has taken him from Edmonton’s most cherished theatre companies to stages across Canada.

He’s received a Jessie Award, Betty Award, Calgary Theatre Critics’ Award, and four Sterling Awards. He’s the Artistic Director of Teatro Live!

Citadel: Debut.

Other Theatre: Here Comes the Sun (Carter-Ryan Theatre); Countries Shaped Like Stars (Fringe Theatre Season); The 39 Steps (Teatro Live!); Bea (Shadow Theatre — Sterling Nomination); These Words Like Daggers, PANSIES (WWPT, Springboards); Cadaver Synod (Vault Theatre); Let’s Not Turn On Each Other (Walters & Watt/FTA Holdover Series).

Film/TV: Commercials for The Brick, BetMGM, Co-op Grocery, and Direct Energy.

Love to Mom and Dad and J and Sandra and Woodstock!

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, Clue, Matilda, Mamma Mia!

Other Theatre: Deathtrap (Teatro Live!); Matilda (RMTC/Arts Club); All Shook Up, Jesus Christ Superstar, 9 to 5 (Mayfield); The Bully Project (Concrete Theatre/ Persephone Theatre).

Film & TV: Home Again, Condolences, until the next breath.

Corben is a proud Métis artist of the Queer and neurodivergent experience. He is the founding producer and director of the multiple award-winning Edmonton-based indie company: Impossible Mongoose.

Citadel: Legally Blonde

Other Theatre: Cry-Baby, High School Musical (Uniform Theatre); Aqsarniit (Confederation Centre Young Company); Heathers: The Musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Idiot (Scona Alumni Theatre Company).

Gunho would like to thank his family for their continued patience as he continues to work towards his dreams. He would not be here without their love and support.

Citadel: Heist

Other Theatre: Ephemere (Firefly Theatre and Circus); The Time Machinest (Cirque de la Nuit); Gatsby’s Cabaret (Spotlight Cabaret); Strawberry Shortcake Live North American Tour, Bubble Guppies Live Canadian Tour (Koba Entertainment); The Office (Jubilations); The Light in the Piazza (Dry Cold).

Graduate of Theatre Arts at MacEwan and BA at University of Winnipeg.

Citadel: Director: Burning Mom, Pride and Prejudice, A Brimful of Asha. Assistant Director: Disney’s Frozen, A Christmas Carol. Playwright: Burning Mom, The Silver Arrow.

Other Theatre: Director: Burning Mom (RMTC/Arts Club/Belfry/ATP upcoming); Cinderella (upcoming), Little Red Riding Hood (Calgary Opera); Alberta Kitchen Party (ATP); Consent, Songs My Mother Never Sung Me (Concrete).

Associate Artistic Director – Citadel, 1989-2020 Artistic Leader – Concrete Theatre. 2025 Finalist Gina Wilkinson Prize. 2023 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

Citadel: 9 to 5, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Grease, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors.

Other Theatre: Mamma Mia, Chorus Line, Wicked (Broadway Across Canada); Fun Home, There Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens (Plain Jane Theatre); MacEwan University musical productions (2003-2017).

Janice Flower has been music directing for nearly four decades and has been Artistic Director of St. Albert Children’s and Community Theatre since 1995. She loves working with performers of all ages.

Citadel: Choreographer: Disney’s Frozen, The Sound of Music, Streetcar Named Desire, Deafy, Pride and Prejudice, Almost a Full Moon. Movement Director: Jane Eyre. Assistant Choreographer: Hadestown, Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

Other Theatre: Choreographer: The Sound of Music (Grand Theatre, RMTC); Beth Graham’s Mermaid Legs (Skirts A Fire); Mr. Burns: A post electric play (You are Here/Blarney Productions).

Citadel: Debut

Other Theatre: Burning Mom (Arts Club Theatre Company); The Mousetrap, Ring of Fire, Million Dollar Quartet (Arts Club Theatre Company); Behind the Moon (Touchstone Theatre); Amahl and the Night Visitors (Vancouver Opera).

Patrick is a Jessie Award winner for Outstanding Scenic Design. He was Co-Exhibition Designer for World Stage Design 2022 and Associate Artistic Director for the U.S. exhibition at the Prague Quadrennial. He holds an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Citadel: Cyrano de Bergerac, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘70s Musical, Pride and Prejudice (Sterling Award for Outstanding Costume Design).

Other Theatre: Li Keur Riel’s Heart of the North and La Cenerentola (Manitoba Opera); La Bohème, Rigoletto, Così fan tutte, Count Ory (Edmonton Opera); Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio (Alberta Musical Theatre); Sunday in the Park with George (MacEwan University); The Magic Flute (Calgary Opera).

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, The Importance of Being Earnest, Clue, The Fiancée, Mary’s Wedding: a Métis Love Story, A Brimful of Asha.

Other Theatre: Pinocchio (Alberta Musical Theatre Co); The Two Battles of Francis Pegahmagabow (Shadow Theatre); Songs My Mother Never Sung Me (Concrete Theatre); Honour Beat (Theatre Calgary).

Patrick (he/him) is a proud halfbreed of Nlaka’pamux and Irish Canadian descent. By day, he is General Manager of Concrete Theatre.

Citadel: Vinyl Cafe: The Musical, The Sound of Music, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘70s Musical.

Other Theatre: Canadian sound designs: Globe Theatre, Luminato, Asha Productions, Grand Theatre, Rainbow Stage, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Neptune Theatre, Harold Green Jewish Theatre, Young People’s Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Canadian Stage, Theatre20, Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Canadian Opera Company.

Emily is a member of ADC and teaches University theatrical sound design and technology. She would like to thank her family for their continued support.

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, Bear Grease: Shack Up For The Winter, Disney’s Frozen, Bear Grease.

Other Theatre: Morningside Road (Shadow Theatre); As You Like It (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); Bright Lights (Blarney Productions); Die Harsh (Grind stone Theatre); Mr. Burns: A post-electric play (You Are Here Theatre/Blarney Productions); Romeo and Juliet’s Notebook, The Matrixx, Gatsby’s Cabaret, Alison Wunderland (Spotlight Cabaret).

Love to her family!

Citadel: Debut

Other Theatre: Burning Mom (Belfry Theatre, Arts Club); Luciérnagas (CNA Delia Zapata Bogota); The Last of the Pelican Daughters (Frederic Wood Theatre); Ring of Fire (Arts Club).

Film & TV: El Encargo Short (Espectro Doméstico, 2022)

Citadel: Cyrano de Bergerac, Death of a Salesman, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical, Little Women, The Ballad of Johnny and June, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Three Musketeers, The Sound of Music, The Importance of Being Earnest, Network.

Other Theatre: Hey Viola! (Charlottetown Festival); The New Canadian Curling Club, The Buddy Holly Story (Thousand Islands Playhouse); seven seasons at Western Canada Theatre

Maddy is a graduate of the Thompson Rivers University Theatre Program in Kamloops, BC. Many thanks to Daryl, Mieko, Nyssa, and Jess.

Citadel: Big Stuff, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘70s Musical, The Mountaintop; Little Shop of Horrors, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Matilda, A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare in Love.

Other Theatre: Everyone is Doing Fine, Horseplay, Dead Letters, Unsung, Here There be Night (WWPT); Bravi (Edmonton Opera); Nevermore, The Invisible (Catalyst); Mermaid Legs (SkirtsAfire); The Wrong People Have Money, The Mountaintop (Shadow Theatre); Two-headed/Half-hearted (NLT).

Thank you to all loved ones who continue to supply snacks and accept my avoidance of sunlight.

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical, Little Women, Disney’s Frozen.

Other Theatre: Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions); Headhole (Pack of Magpies/FoundFest); The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); Orlando, Wildfire, Rough Magic, She Kills Monsters (Studio Theatre).

Originally from Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Jess holds a BFA in Stage Management from the University of Alberta. Thank you to my friends and family for all of their support and all my love to Ethan.

Citadel: Debut.

Other Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Carrie (Macewan University).

Theron Woodman is a soloist and ensemble musician in quartets and symphony orchestras across Canada. You can find Theron teaching private lessons, touring Canada as a touring musician, and playing in some of Alberta’s largest shows.

Citadel: Debut

Other Theatre: Assassins (Loose Ends Theatre); The Last Five Years (Straight Edge Theatre); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (SATCo).

Keat is a freelance pianist with close to two decades of accompaniment and musical direction experience in Edmonton. He has performed with organizations such as the ESO, Mayfield Dinner Theatre, St. Albert Children’s Theatre, and Theatre Network. This is Keat’s debut performance with The Citadel and he’s overjoyed to share this special show with you!

Citadel: The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Frozen, The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia, West Side Story, Avenue Q

Other Theatre: Annie (St. Albert Children’s Theatre); West Side Story World Tour 2016–2018 & 2019 (Sundance Productions)

Mark is a casual percussionist with the ESO, member of local ensembles UltraViolet, Damn Magpies, Blackout Over Rio and Pelican Hat.

Citadel: The Wizard Of Oz, Legally Blonde, Disney’s Frozen.

Other Theatre: MJ The Musical (Broadway Across Canada).

Dana is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Edmonton. Outside of the theatre, she can be found performing in various big bands, jazz combos, and local funk outfit Stonejoy. Endless love and gratitude to Wendy, Erin, and Dejah for their support.

Citadel: Jersey Boys

Other Theatre: Billy Elliot (Broadway Across Canada); Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (MacEwan); Urinetown (Grindstone Theatre); One Night with the King (Mayfield).

Dan has been part of the jazz and music theatre scenes in Edmonton for 20 years. He has taught at MacEwan University since 2012 and is a member of Canada’s loudest party band, the Brasstactics. Hugs to Mila, Ella and Oscar, and high fives to Julia to celebrate raising these wonderful kids together. @canadadavis