LOCAL NIGHTLIFE AND MUSIC VENUES
Spelling Bee hopes and dreams are on the line as Rome Little Theatre kicks off its 61st season with the Broadway musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
The show runs Sept. 1-10 at the Historic DeSoto Theatre.
The witty and heartwarming musical tells the tale of six elementary school students participating in the highly competitive local spelling bee. The spellers enter the Bee with their own individual hopes and dreams, and ultimately face their own challenges. Under the supervision of three hilarious adults, Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Michael Hillman), comfort counselor Mimi Mahoney (Beth McCain), and former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion Rona Lisa Peretti (Maegan Williams), the spellers share details of their own story and compete for the winning trophy.
The show is directed by Lillian Shaw and produced by Jamie Landers.
“It’s a bunch of adults pretending to be preteens, so there’s definitely an element of silliness to it,” Shaw said. “But the harmonies are complex and beautiful, the dialogue is witty and fastpaced, and the characters are so real and funny. This show is one of the smartest musicals out there, and it’s perfect for a community theatre setting like we have at RLT.”
Shaw promises that
The cast of Rome Little Theatre’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at a promotional photo shoot. The show opens Sept. 1
audiences will fall in love with the true-to-life quirkiness of each of the Bee’s adolescent participants — the shy Olive Ostrovsky (Sophia Veser), the temperamental William Barfee (James Swendsen), precocious Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Haley Pendleton), multitalented Marcy Park (Holly Thomas), eccentric Leaf Coneybear (Zac Mitchell), and former champion Charlito “Chip” Tolentino (Russell Evans). “Spelling Bee” reminds us of the pressure of adolescence and shows us that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. Photo by Clarissa Brinkley
RLT’s “The 25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” runs Sept. 1-10 at the DeSoto Theatre. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $12 for children. Tickets can be purchased by visiting romelittletheatre.com or by calling the Rome Little Theatre box office at 706-2957171. This production is rated PG-13, and adult guidance is recommended for younger audience members.
The Moon Gallery at Berry College presents “Bad, Bold, Wiser” in clay and mixed media through Sept. 21.
The exhibit is by ceramic sculptor and Berry Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Kelly Stevenson.
The Moon Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and admission is free. 400 Block Bar / La Scala 413 Broad St. Phone: 706-238-9000 Thursday: Shane Rehberg, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday: Ashley Hill, 10 p.m. Sept. 20: Arlo Finch
Armuchee AMVETS Post 2011 30 Walenda Drive Phone: 706-266-1996 Thursdays: Open 1 p.m. to 2 a.m., All Star Karaoke, 8 p.m. Fridays: Open 1-5 p.m. Members only after 5 p.m. Saturdays: Open 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., All Star Karaoke, 8 p.m. Sundays: Open 1-10 p.m. Mondays: Open to the public 1-5 p.m. Members only after 5 p.m. Tuesday: Open 1-9 p.m. Wednesday: Open 1-10 p.m.
Beer Barrel Sports Bar 724 Kingston Ave. Phone: 706-234-9191 Friday: Ladies Night. Saturday: Karaoke, 8 p.m. Wednesday: Open pool table.
Rome City Brewing Co. 325 Broad St. Phone: 706-204-8474 Friday: Frank Foster, 9:30 p.m. Saturday: MayweatherMcGregor Fight, 7 p.m. Sunday: Sunday Evening Blues, 6-9 p.m.
Dark Side of the Moon 236 Broad St. Phone: 706-292-0099 Saturday: Lauren Jordan, 10 p.m.
Harvest Moon Café / Moon Roof
Thursdays: Friday: Saturday: Clay Broome, 8:30 p.m.
Johnny’s NY Style Pizza
Wednesday: Trivia, 7 p.m. Friday: Kevin Allen, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday: Daniel Lieving, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
On The Bayou 7080 Ga. 53 Phone: 706-295-7000 Rome Amvets Post 295 4972 Rockmart Rd. Phone: 706-346-8029 Saturday: Geno’s Karaoke, 5 p.m., Dance at 8 p.m. to the music of South Country Band, everyone welcome. For information call 706-346-8029.
Schroeder’s New Deli 406 Broad St. Phone: 706-234-4613 Friday: Kylie Devaron, DJ Robbie Loco, 8 p.m.
Shanklin-Attaway American Legion Post 5 5 Shorter Ave. Phone: 706-291-2247 Saturday: Dance to the music of Backwater Band
The Sports Page 1711 Dean Ave. Phone: 706-266-4819 Fridays: Karaoke, 8 p.m. to close Saturdays: Karaoke, 8 p.m. to close and pool tournament. Wednesdays: Free pool all day.
VFW Post 4911 2632 U.S. 411 Fridays: Bingo, 7:30 p.m., open to the public. No membership required. Hot food available. Meeting third Monday of every month.