If you also like theater, and musicals in particular, you will get a kick out of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” opening Thursday at Alpena Civic Theatre.

In fact, anyone from age 12 to 112 will likely enjoy this quirky, unpredictable laughfest, featuring some ACT veterans and several young newcomers to the ACT stage.

Directed by Julie Meyers, with Doreen Kriniak as assistant director, the musical comedy seems pretty self-explanatory — it is a spelling bee, set in present day. But surprises are in store, including some hilarious audience participation, some improv, and quite a bit of chaos.

“I tried to find one that isn’t real elaborate,” Meyers said of the musical. “I tried to find something that is funny and that people will like … I watched it on YouTube and I laughed out loud, and I thought, ‘We could do that.'”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley From left, Amanda Hulsey, McKenna Schafer, and Matt Southwell perform a touching song in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” opening Thursday at Alpena Civic Theatre.

She was excited to see so many fresh faces at auditions.

“When we started getting ready for it, we didn’t know what age group would show up,” Meyers explained. “And all these high school kids showed up. And they have been missing the Masquers Club at the high school. There’s no Masquers Club since COVID hit. Nobody has picked it back up.”

Thunder Bay Theatre previously offered workshops and roles for young people as well, but since their building requires a complete repair and renovation since the July 2020 fire, those prior in-person programs have not been running, either. The fire destroyed the adjacent John A. Lau Saloon and caused significant water and smoke damage to the historic TBT building.

“The Masquers Club kids and kids that are into theater are looking for something,” Meyers said, adding that she is delighted to have them perform at ACT. “All these kids showed up, and I was like, ‘This is awesome.'”

Newcomers include Lily Spigelmyre, Alek Degen, McKenna Schafer, and Sava Todovic, who is an exchange student from Serbia. They join Aribella Murillo and Elsa Schultz, who have each acted in prior ACT shows. Rounding out the cast are seasoned ACT actors Dani Ayotte, Matt Southwell, Randy Bouchard, and Amanda Hulsey. Nick Stone accompanies on piano, Christine Elowski is stage manager, and Isaac Ayotte runs the lights.

Meyers is impressed with the cast’s chemistry and performance.

She said the young people can not only act, but they do an excellent job singing.

“She’s perfect,” Meyers said of Elsa Schultz, who wowed audiences in “Church Basement Ladies” at ACT. “She is belting it out of the park because she’s so comfortable in her role.”

The crew has been wonderful to work with, as well.

“She is the best,” Meyers said of Kriniak, who often joins her as A.D.

During a rehearsal on Thursday, Kriniak jumped in and read for an absent cast member, and she had the cast in stitches.

“You’ve got Matt Southwell, Randy Bouchard, and Dani Ayotte — she’s a hoot,” Meyers added. “And they just click. And Nick just fits in.”

Southwell plays several roles, including the principal who reads the words and definitions for the students in the spelling bee. He may or may not be making up half of what he says, but you can’t tell because he’s naturally quick-witted, and — spoiler alert — the man can sing with the best of them.

Each contestant has quirks and oddities which come out over the course of this musical comedy. They play off each other’s silliness, and it would be very hard to go even five minutes without laughing while watching this gut-buster.

Attending Thursday’s rehearsal was a bit like hanging out with a bunch of easygoing friends who just happen to be on stage. They have fun up there, and audiences will have a blast watching and interacting with them.

This production does include some adult themes that may not be appropriate for young children, but anyone 12 and up will probably enjoy the immaturity. The show contains mild language and certain anatomical references.

“Grown-ups in the room can act high-schoolish with them,” Meyers said. “It’s been so much fun.”

This musical is based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin, with music and lyrics by William Finn. It was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, and runs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. It runs again the following weekend at the same times, with the last showtime at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22.

ACT is located at 401 River St., Alpena. For tickets, call the box office at 989-354-3624. Adult tickets are $15 per seat, and student tickets are $8 each. For more information, visit alpenacivictheatre.com.