BRATTLEBORO — Master of Ceremonies and radio personality Tom Bodett will lead “Spell Check! A Spelling Bee for Grown-Ups” for the fourth year in a row on April 14 at 6 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre.
A Dummerston resident, Bodett is an author and national broadcast personality known widely for his humorous radio commentary and storytelling. He has been the spokesman for the Motel 6 lodging chain for more than 20 years and is a panelist on NPR's satirical weekend news quiz, “Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!”
“Spell Check! is great fun,” said Bodett. “It's a game show acting like a spelling bee dressed up as a cow. Those are the types of similes contestants must not only understand, but spell. We separate those who can from the rest of the herd.”
Telling an on-going tale of barnyard animals and their humans, Bodett will weave spelling words into the fabric of the story for a further entertaining spin on the evening.
Assisting Bodett will be Archer Mayor, local mystery author and Spell Check! judge. Jim Maxwell will again act as “Bee Keeper,” monitoring pronunciations and definitions. Alfred Hughes will announce each round on stage.
Teams of three compete against one another and against the Spell Check Countdown Jingle, composed by local composer and musician Derek Jordan. Teams advance to a final round until one team is left to claim the prize, bragging rights, and their team's name on the Latchis Theatre marquee. This year's winners will have the honor of being the first team to grace the new marquee, which is coming soon.
This “made for prime time” event is a popular fundraiser for Latchis Arts, dedicated to preserving the historic Latchis Theatre and promoting the arts.
The community is invited to cheer on the spelling teams. Tickets can be purchased at BrattleboroTix.com or by cash or check at the Latchis Hotel. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.
There will be a special raffle prize drawing at the event, presided over by “Little Bee” Lucy Flynn. Grand prize is two tickets to attend a live showing of “Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!” in Portland, Maine, as well as numerous prizes donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $2 each and can be purchased by contacting spellcheck@latchisarts.org and at the Latchis Theatre during Spell Check!
Teams are forming now. Visit latchisarts.org/spell-check for more information and to register.