Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Video: Jesse Tyler Ferguson Responds to Canceled School Production Of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Ferguson said that the message the cancelation sends to LGBTQ students is "toxic, and harmful, and kind of abusive." 

BroadwayWorld previously reported that the Cardinal Schools Board of Education has canceled a spring production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee after deeming the musical "not family-freindly."

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book by Rachel Sheinkin and features a vibrant score by William Finn.

According to the Geauga County Maple Leaf, the board "received a complaint from a resident on Jan. 11" and several other families registered concerns about the production.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee original cast member Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared his thoughts about the cancellation on Instagram, stating in the caption, "Some thoughts about Cardinal School in Ohio canceling their production of 'Spelling Bee' because they deemed it 'not family friendly.' They have given many reasons but all of them are obvious and thinly veiled covers of some bigger things."

In The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee the character of Logainne has two gay fathers.

Ferguson stated, "I guaranteed that there is someone at this school who is maybe being raised by gay parents, but definitely more than one person at this school is gay, or lesbian, or bisexual, and the message that this sends to them, that that is not family appropriate, or family friendly, rather, is toxic, and harmful, and kind of abusive."

Watch the full video below:



Related Stories
& JULIET Ends West End Run Photo
& JULIET, the award-winning musical which has been thrilling audiences in London since opening in 2019, plays its final performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre tonight, Saturday 25 March 2023.

Photos: Stars Arrive for BAD CINDERELLA Opening Night Photo
See photos of stars as they arrive on the Bad Cinderella opening night red carpet!

Lottery Tickets for PHANTOMs Final Performance Now Available Photo
Special lottery for tickets to the invitation-only, final Broadway performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Sunday, April 16 at 5PM are now available!

Photos: Sutton Foster Hosts GREAT PERFORMANCES Concert Photo
Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster (Anything Goes, Music Man) hosted last night’s star-studded “Great Performances: Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway” concert at Lincoln Center. The concert also features Sara Bareilles, Corbin Bleu, Norm Lewis, Patina Miller, Chita Rivera, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and more. Check out photos of Foster hosting now!


More Hot Stories For You


Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Son, Has Passed AwayNicholas Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Son, Has Passed Away
March 25, 2023

Webber missed the Bad Cinderella opening on Thursday, March 23rd to be with his son, who passed away from stomach cancer after entering hospice care on Thursday.

Broadway Jukebox: The Best of Kander & EbbBroadway Jukebox: The Best of Kander & Ebb
March 25, 2023

Just yesterday, Broadway was introduced to the latest musical from John Kander and the late Fred Ebb- New York, New York is in previews at the St. James Theatre. We are celebrating the new musical with a playlist of the Best of Kander and Ebb.

Lea Michele Will Be Out of Today's FUNNY GIRL MatineeLea Michele Will Be Out of Today's FUNNY GIRL Matinee
March 25, 2023

Lea Michele will be out of today's matinee performance of Funny Girl on Saturday, March 25. Julie Benko will be on as Fanny. 

Video: Watch Jinkx Monsoon Sing CHICAGO's 'I Am My Own Best Friend' and More with ELLEVideo: Watch Jinkx Monsoon Sing CHICAGO's 'I Am My Own Best Friend' and More with ELLE
March 25, 2023

Watch Jinkx Monsoon sing musical theatre classics in a game of song association with ELLE!

Meet the Cast of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!Meet the Cast of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
March 25, 2023

Second Stage Theater's production of Larissa FastHorse's play, The Thanksgiving Play, directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, will begin previews tonight, March 25th! Meet the cast of The Thanksgiving Play!