Students at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor will perform "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the Pierson auditorium this weekend. The four show times are Thursday and Friday night at 7, and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.
The musical, its director, Bethany Dellapolla, said, is about an eclectic group of sixth graders who each want to win the spelling bee for different reasons. "The bee, run by three equally quirky adults, becomes a turning point in all their lives, and ends up meaning more than any of them would have ever anticipated."
"It's about love, friendship, the importance of self-validation, finding your voice, hope, ambition, the hilarity and heartbreak of childhood, familial relationships, and the true definition of winning."
Ms. Dellapolla said that while this isn't the first live musical since the beginning of the pandemic, "it is the first 'normal' show we've had . . . meaning the kids are able to be staged without thinking about social distancing, and we are allowed to sell tickets to full capacity."
The performers cheered when Ms. Dellapolla told them there would be a full audience.
"This is truly an ensemble show," she said. The students "are doing a phenomenal job. It's going to be a hilarious and heartfelt night of theater."
Tickets are $10, or $5 for students, and can be bought at the door. The musical will run about an hour and 40 minutes, with one intermission.