VALDOSTA – Actors and tech crew began arriving this past week for the 2024 Peach State Summer Theatre season.

They are coming from as far away as New York and Nevada and as close as Valdosta to present professional summer theatre performances of the musicals “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Five Guys Named Moe” and “Annie.”

Cast members include several newcomers as well as returning performers such as Jenna Najjar who played the Lady in the Lake last year in “Spamalot,” Braxton Allen who played Martin Luther King Jr. last year in “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical” and Cedar Jacob Moore who played the title character last year in “SpongeBob The Musical.”

“Spelling Bee” rehearsals started Friday morning, said H. Duke Guthrie, PSST! managing director and the man set to play Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” Rehearsals for “Annie” and “Five Guys” begin in the coming days.

The box office opened Wednesday for season members to begin purchasing tickets with the box office opening for general admission and all transactions 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, Guthrie said. PSST! box office hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-2 p.m. Sundays.

The PSST! 2024 season starts with the June 8 opening of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” followed by the June 14 opening of “Five Guys Named Moe” and then the June 28 opening of “Annie.” Guthrie said the schedule is a little different this year, with the first show opening the second weekend of June instead of the first weekend, and opening night for the first show is on a Saturday instead of a Friday.

The three shows then continue in rotating repertory through July 20. All performances play at Sawyer Theatre inside the Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building at the corner of Oak and Brookwood.

PSST! is the official musical theatre of Georgia.

Guthrie said the season continues the tradition of presenting professional theatre but emphasizes local talent with many of the adult and child performers coming from South Georgia.

Hank Rion, PSST! artistic director, is scheduled to direct two shows – “Spelling Bee” and “Annie.” Tim Goins, drama and dance teacher at Brooks County Schools, is scheduled to direct “Five Guys,” Guthrie said.

The shows will feature small casts, he said, with “Spelling Bee” having nine players; “Five Guys,” six performers; “Annie” has a larger cast of 18 members not including the children.

The shows

VSU provides synopses of the 2024 season.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: “An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (played by adult actors) 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.” ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ is — like PSST’s 2023 ‘Spamalot’ and 2022’s ‘Sister Act’ – a PG13 musical. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ is a delightful den of comedic genius.” Opens June 8.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE: “Very much in the spirit of our 2022 production of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin,’ ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ is an exuberant tribute to the music of rhythm and blues pioneer and alto saxophonist Louis Jordan. ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ is an international sensation. Initially produced in London’s West End by the legendary Cameron Mackintosh, this exhilarating, all-embracing theatrical experience moved to Broadway in 1992 and was nominated for two Tony Awards. The 20-plus songs include ‘Caldonia,’ ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin,’ and ‘Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby.’ The recognizable and enticing score appeals to a variety of audiences, and the uproarious audience participation will have spectators leaping out of their seats to join the celebration!” Opens June 14.

ANNIE: “With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC.

“In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations … and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

“Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, ‘Annie’ has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including ‘Tomorrow.’ ‘Annie’ is described as the perfect family-friendly musical.” Opens June 28.

For more information, visit www.valdosta.edu/psst. The Valdosta Daily Times is the Peach State Summer Theatre corporate sponsor.