Five Watkinson students from West Hartford appeared in the show.

Full cast of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Submitted photo

Submitted by Stacy Routhier, Watkinson School

Watkinson School in Hartford presented their winter main stage musical on Feb. 20 and 21. Winner of the TONY and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee featured a fast-paced wildly funny book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Nine spellers enter; one speller leaves!

West Hartford residents Oliver Avery, Hayley Madigan, Clark Reilly, Sam Volpe and Sophia Volpe all participated in the musical.