BEE THERE. Spellbound meets A Chorus Line in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical sendup where freaky word nerds (plus some audience members) grapple with a tuneful spectrum of angst as they line up the letters to tackle "crepuscule," "homunculus," and numerous other brain strainers.

During last weekend's blizzard, I staggered to the Second Stage Theatre like a modern urban Jack London character in order to see the show, in previews until it opens February 7, running until March 6.

Directed by James Lapine and performed by an energetic ensemble, Bee fittingly captures the high spirits and well-timed surprises of a top-notch senior follies production--albeit one with Avenue Q-era penis jokes. Rachel Sheinkin's book and William Finn's songwriting also deliver some serious spelling bee existentialism along the comedic way.

Ticket prices are a little steep at $75 a pop, but if you order by tomorrow (January 30), you can get $52 seats for performances through February 6 by using the discount code POST. (Phone 212-246-4422 or 800-766-6048.) For every seat you purchase at $52, you can also get a $20 student seat for the same performance. Also, if you have WNYC membership, you might be able to get $52 tickets anyway. Another approach involves buying tickets to this and two other productions scheduled for the Second Stage this season--the cost per ticket would then be $33.