The first time actor Kevin Smith Kirkwood saw "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Broadway, he was mesmerized.

"I saw the original cast and they were amazing," he said in a recent telephone interview from the road. "I imagined myself doing several of the roles. I never thought I would get the chance to do the show."

Today, Kirkwood appears as Mitch Mahoney in the national touring production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, which will be performed at Richmond's Landmark Theater May 20 and 21.

"I love that Mitch comes with a hard edge to him," Kirkwood said. "He's a young, black urban kid who is out of place at the Bee. He sheds a different perspective on life that's important to bring to the Bee. It gives the show a little balance."

Based on the original play "C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E" by The Farm improv group in New York, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" has been playing to audiences in Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre since May 2005.

The lovable, riotous comedy features six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Spellers learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.

"There are some laugh-out-loud moments in the first 45 minutes of the show," Kirkwood said. "It's really a smart show. It's light but it's not mindless. The jokes are very witty."

Before the show begins audience members have the opportunity (strictly volunteer) to become part of the action as onstage spellers.

"That's one thing that changes every night, the roster of volunteer spellers," Kirkwood said. "They sign up before the show and they compete in the Bee. You never know who you will get and how they will react on stage."

Volunteers have to answer several questions during a quick interview before the show.

"If someone can't take the ribbing in front of a few thousand people, we don't want them on the stage," Kirkwood said. "There are always people wanting to be part of the fun. We want people with that kind of spirit."

The volunteer spellers are introduced to the audience by the folks who run the Bee. James Kall plays Douglas Panch, one of the overseers of the competition.

"The introductions are very funny. They are spontaneous, off-the-cuff," Kirkwood said. "James Kall is amazing. He's quick witted."

Kirkwood has been with the show since September. Prior to that, he understudied the roles of Mitch and Chip on Broadway. The Ohio native landed his first role in 2000 in the national touring production of "Godspell."

"When I auditioned for that role, the casting director sent me to a callback for ‘Grease,'" Kirkwood said. "I was on the road with that show for five months when I started in ‘Godspell.' Since then I've been working as an actor consistently."

He loves the charm of the "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

"I think the audience is surprised at how smart and witty it is," observed Kirkwood, noting that the show appeals to both children and adults. "It's just so much heart in the show. It's a sweet, warm show."

• "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" comes to Richmond's Landmark Theater May 20 and 21. Ticket prices are $47.50, $35 and $20. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations and Landmark Box Office or you can charge by phone (804) 262-8100.