I's are being dotted and t's crossed as the Musical Theatre Guild practices for its spring offering, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” which opens April 22 at the production center.

The show is under the direction of Randy Krampert with musical direction by Jessica Sanzotti.

The long, one-act musical comedy was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with the music and lyrics by William Finn. It is centered on a fictional spelling bee set in Putnam Valley Middle School and tells the tale of six unique adolescents as they compete in the contest run by three equally unique grown ups.

Bella Johnson, 15, of Wexford plays Olive Ovstrovski in this “Spelling Bee.”

“She is a very shy person who lives most of her life alone because her dad works a lot and her mother is in India,” Bella said.

The sophomore at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland said Ovstrovski takes comfort in her dictionary at home. Because Bella is naturally shy, she feels she has a handle on portraying the awkwardness of her character.

“I'm a terrible speller so this show is definitely helping me with that. I've also learned how to function with a smaller cast,” she said, noting her prior productions had more than 30 actors in them.

She last appeared as Belle in Hobnob Theatre Company's performance of “A Christmas Carol.”

Playing Rona Lisa Peretti, the top realtor in Putnam County and host of the spelling bee, is Kristen Double of Butler.

“Rona is intelligent, funny and successful and gives 100 percent effort in all that she does,” Double said.

This role requires improvisation skills, so the show is expanding Double's repertoire, she said.

“There is, for my character specifically, some improv in this show. I have been in many roles before but never any that required this,” she said.

Double last appeared in “Rent” with the Musical Theatre Guild.

The unflappable Chuck McMichael of Summit Township plays Vice Principal Doug Panch.

“He is a bland fellow who gets ruffled when things don't go according to plan,” McMichael said.

He credits a summer job in radio with his take on the character.

“My part depends on speaking loudly and clearly throughout the show,” he added, noting that honey and scarves are his best preparation items.

He last took the stage in the chorus of “Little Shop of Horrors” in the spring of 2013.

Carrie Persichini of Butler Township is fulfilling the role of Logainee.

“She is a high strung, liberal-minded young girl who is influenced and pressured to succeed by her nontraditional parents,” Persichini said.

She noted that the songs and content are a step up the rating scale at about a PG-13, so youngsters most likely should be left at home.

Persichini last appeared as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins last November.

The show also features Chase Livermore, Molly Miller, Phillip Ball, Zach Frye and Jon Pincek.

WHO: Musical Theatre GuildWHAT: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from April 22 to 30 and at 3 p.m. May 1WHERE: William A. Lehnerd Production Center at the back of Memorial ParkTICKETS: $15, reserved by calling 724-287-8243