Stages St. Louis will delight audiences this summer with its first-ever mainstage production of the hilarious and off-beat musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, playing May 29 to June 28, 2026, at The Ross Family Theatre inside the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.

A beloved, PG-13 musical comedy packed with heart, wit, and unforgettable characters, Spelling Bee follows a group of wonderfully quirky students competing for the championship of a lifetime—all while navigating the pressures of growing up, fitting in, and finding their voice. Audience members may also enjoy the chance of a lifetime, as each show selects four willing participants to join the cast in the spelling bee live on stage!