I can't remember a time when I didn't sing.
My mother says I was creating harmonies at age two, but this may be parental hyperbole. She swears it's not. Musical theater captured me at a very early age. I had the great good fortune to attend schools that regarded music as important as academic subjects, including Philadelphia's High School For Creative and Performing Arts (also the alma mater of Boyz II Men, The Roots and Hamilton's Leslie Odom, Jr. for all you Broadway fans out there). For me, those years revolved around each season's musical theater offering. Other endeavors dimmed by comparison.
Putnam County captured my attention in 2011, and I was driven to produce the show. Its humor mixed with acute poignance along with a kick-ass score sealed the deal for me. I rented a theater out of my own meagre funds, chose 10 of my fellow musical theater fanatics -- fine talents all -- and dove in without a life vest.
It was a rousing success. I think part of that can be attributed to the brilliance and pure fun of this show (I'm quite fond of it, if you can't already tell). I went on to produce several more shows before my Aliyah and have been itching to introduce Putnam to a fresh audience. I was fortunate enough to meet some key members of The Stage and the rest is history. With their help, I am able to bring to you something deeply personal and near and dear to my heart, which I know you'll enjoy.
This post was written by Maya Ben-Yaacov who is directing and acting in our upcoming musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens September 6th.
Show Dates: Sept 6th, 7th and 9th 2017
Get your tickets in advance online here
Some shots of the cast of The Stage's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in Tel Aviv.
Photo Credits: Steven Winston Photography