From left Ayri Brady, Michael Correy, Holland Isaacson, Colin Drayer, Caleb Roller, Annie Davis, rehearse a scene from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” to be performed at Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St.

Normally, audience members watch a live theater performance and have very little or no interaction with cast members.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” bends those rules slightly.

Audience members are encouraged to participate in the production, said Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown Executive Director Holly Weston.

“This production is unique in that it does offer the opportunity for audience members to be a part of the spelling bee that night/afternoon, which isn’t something we (LBLTJ) always get to explore. You’re not required to participate by going on stage, but if you’re feeling brave it’s kind of fun to get to be a part of the moment with our actors on stage too,” Weston noted.

The show, according to lbltj.com, is about an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents that vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion. At least the losers get a juice box.

“Spelling Bee” is not meant to be a serious replication of an actual spelling bee, Weston said.

“It’s silly and allows our audiences to come in, relax and just laugh for a few hours. I think we could also use a little getaway from life where you can escape into another reality, and laugh, so I hope that the community takes this opportunity to do just that, and see this production,” Weston said.

The cast includes Adrienne Reuss as Rona Lisa Peretti, Jon Thompson as Douglas Panch, Nany Salva as Mitch Mahoney, Holland Isaacson as Olive Ostrovsky, Michael Correy as William Barfee, Ayri Brady as Logaine Schwartsandgrubeniere, Annie Davis as Marcy Park, Caleb Roller as Leaf Coney Bear, and Colin Drayer as Chip Tolentino. The production is directed by Adam Owens, and the stage manager is Kri Johnson.

Weston said “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has been on the “short list” for a production at LTLBJ for many years. She said it can be hard to make a cut when only six shows a season can be produced, “but it always means we have top contenders going into the following year and 2024 was the year for a spelling bee on our stage.”

Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.; May 17 and May 18 at 7 p.m.; and May 19 at 2 p.m. at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St. For ticket information visit lbltj.com, or email boxoffice@lbltj.com.