'Putnam County Spelling Bee' and 'King James' on new Indiana Repertory Theatre season

As Indiana Repertory Theatre prepares to produce "Little Shop of Horrors" this month, it is announcing a new six-show season for 2024-2025 that incorporates quite a bit of music.

Starting in the fall, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will bring its bevy of beloved tunes, while "Nina Simone: Four Women" will include several of the singer's powerful songs.

Also on the season are comedies that focus on a friendship around the fandom of basketball star LeBron James and the classic "The Play that Goes Wrong," which is made up of the mishaps that stress out actors and give audiences hilarious stories they'll be able to share forever.

And in a dramatic turn for later in the season, Indiana Repertory Theatre has programmed "The Glass Menagerie," which incorporates playwright Tennessee Williams' own difficult family memories.

Here's Indiana Repertory Theatre's 2024-25 season. Season ticket memberships are on sale now. Build Your Own packages and single tickets will be available this summer. Learn more at irtlive.com.

'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

Music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Sept. 18-Oct. 12

Six young spellers — including a Boy Scout, a child of hippies and a politically conscious advocate — vie to become the champion in this musical. As the competition progresses, their quirks and hilarious details about their home lives become public as they realize that good life lessons don't have to come from winning.

Charles Dickens’ 'A Christmas Carol'

Adapted by Tom Haas. Nov. 16-Dec. 24

The classic explores a man's total change of heart after mysterious visitors question his life choices.

'King James'

By Rajiv Joseph. Jan. 14-Feb. 9, 2025

Two friends — one Black and one white — share a love of the Cleveland Cavaliers and star LeBron James. While their lives change over the next 12 years, their passion for the game remains throughout this comedy about sports' place in our lives and relationships.

Arts leadership change: Ronan Marra will lead Storytelling Arts as longtime director Ellen Munds retires

'Nina Simone: Four Women'

By Christina Ham. Feb. 4-March 2, 2025

The title pulls from the iconic High Priestess of Soul's famous song that was born during the Civil Rights movement as she developed her voice as an artist and activist. The play explores a conversation between Simone and three other Black women as they fight racism and stereotypes.

'The Glass Menagerie'

By Tennessee Williams. March 11-April 6, 2025

With her husband absent, matriarch Amanda — a southern belle stuck in her past glory days — tries to find a suitor for her shy daughter Laura and clashes with her son Tom, a poet who is unfulfilled by his breadwinning job at a warehouse. A coming dinner guest might change the dire prospects for the characters that playwright Williams based on his own family memories.

'The Play That Goes Wrong'

By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. April 9-May 11, 2025

The Cornley Drama Society is ready to unveil its industrious production of "The Murder at Haversham Manor." But instead of a smooth path ahead, the unfortunate thespians are dealt a hand that includes an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that has trouble remaining dead and clumsy actors who have difficulties remembering their lines.

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'Putnam County Spelling Bee' on deck for Indiana Repertory Theatre