Akeelah and the Bee at Arena Stage

Based on Doug Atchison's 2006 inspirational family film, the heartwarming drama tells the story of Akeelah, a determined young girl who overcomes numerous challenges to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Leading the cast as Akeelah is Johannah Easley, who made a splash originating the role in Minneapolis, where her performance was hailed as "delightful and thoroughly engaging" (City Pages) and possessing "effortless naturalism and poetic economy" (Star Tribune). She stars opposite Broadway veteran James A. Williams (originated the role of Roosevelt Hicks in August Wilson's Radio Golf), who continues in his role as her exacting coach Dr. Larabee.