On many of the balmy and breezy summer days we have here in Midcoast Maine, you’ll likely to find Boothbay’s Soren Barker captaining one of Balmy Days Cruises tourist boats, including the friendship sloop Bay Lady, Miss Boothbay, or Novelty. During the rest of the year, you’ll find Barker teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Boothbay Region Elementary School.

But on most evenings this summer, Barker is at The Waldo Theatre, rehearsing his cast of 13 actor/singers in preparation for the opening of their community theatre production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," the Tony-award winning musical comedy, on Friday, Sept. 5.

Barker, the father of two young boys, has a long history with theatre as a student at Boothbay Region High School, in college at Brigham Young University, and more recently at The Waldo, River Company, and The Lincoln Theatre as an actor and coach, but this is his debut as director of a large, fully-staged musical.

“Life comes full circle,” said Susan Hodder, The Waldo’s executive director. “Soren was one of my acting students, and he played Kenicke in the musical 'Grease' I directed when he was still in high school. Now he’s directing a major musical. I’m so proud and thrilled that he's able to do it here at The Waldo.”

“When I saw “The Bee” on Broadway, I immediately knew I wanted to direct it someday, bringing my own vision to it and telling the story in a fresh, new way,” said Barker. “I love this show because it’s equal parts goofy fun and heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, emotion. We have an amazingly talented cast, and it’s a beautiful thing watching actors taking my vision and making it stronger and better.

“This is a special theatre experience,” he continued. “I hope everyone in our audiences sees parts of themselves and their childhood in the show and walks away with the same sense of inner peace, confidence and self-realization that the characters do.”

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s" presenting sponsor is Maine State Credit Union. The show premieres at The Waldo on Friday evening, Sept. 5, with additional evening performances on Sept. 6 and 13 and two Sunday matinees on Sept. 7 and 14. Online advance adult tickets are just $20 and on sale now at thewaldotheatre.org.