25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at New World Stages

Kevin McHale

KEVIN MCHALE (William Barfee) is a Grammy-nominated, SAG Award-winning actor best known for playing Artie Abrams on “Glee”. He has appeared in multiple TV shows including “The Office”, “When We Rise”, and “American Horror Stories”. As a singer, he released his debut EP in 2019. Kevin made his stage debut in the Kennedy Center’s revival of Spelling Bee in 2024 and his London debut in 2025 in Sondheim’s The Frogs. He currently co-hosts the hit iHeart podcast And That’s What You Really Missed with “Glee” co-star Jenna Ushkowitz.

Justin Cooley

JUSTIN COOLEY (Leaf Coneybear) was nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel and Antony awards and received an ABA Clarence Derwent Award, a Theatre World Award and the Clive Barnes Award in recognition of his performance as Seth in the original Broadway company of Kimberly Akimbo. He is stoked to be hitting the stage again in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Philippe Arroyo

PHILIPPE ARROYO (Chip Tolentino) is a proud alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, who is thrilled to return to the Bee!! Broadway/Theatre credits include: & Juliet (Francois Dubois), Kennedy Center’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip), Disney’s Aladdin National Tour (Omar), The York Theatre’s Penelope (Telemachus), Joe Iconis’ Punk Rock Girl (Dudley), The Karate Kid Musical (Freddie), Into the Woods First National Tour (Jack), Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), TUTS' In the Heights (Sonny). TV credits: “Uncoupled” on Netflix, “Evil” on CBS, “Helpsters” on Apple Plus, and “Truth Slash Fiction!”

Leana Rae Concepcion

LEANA RAE CONCEPCION (Marcy Park) was an original cast member of the Tony Award winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, Off-Broadway & will appear in the upcoming film. Her other credits include the Kennedy Center production of Spelling Bee, Joanne in Rent at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and Katie in the world premiere of Rattlesnake Kate at DCPA.

Jasmine Amy Rogers

JASMINE AMY ROGERS (Olive Ostrovsky) earned a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut as the titular role in BOOP! THE MUSICAL, and garnered “a star is born” reviews. She received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards for her portrayal, as well as Drama League and Chita Rivera nominations. Rogers played Anita in the Pasadena Playhouse production of JELLY’S LAST JAM, Gretchen Wieners in the National Tour of MEAN GIRLS, Melody Green in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of THE WANDERER and in the world premiere of BECOMING NANCY at the Alliance Theatre. TV includes EVIL. She was a Jimmy Awards’ finalist and studied musical theatre at the Manhattan School of Music.

Autumn Best

AUTUMN BEST (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre). Autumn Best is an NYC-based actor, originally from Utah, who is best known for the Netflix feature film Woman of The Hour (2024). She also appeared as Mildred in The CW series 4400 and is anticipating the premiere of her coming-of-age film Be Right Back in 2026. Autumn is also an aspiring screenwriter & musician. As an actress with a limb difference, she is a passionate advocate for creatives with disabilities. She is represented by Paradigm and SAKS&.

Matt Manuel

MATT MANUEL (Mitch Mahoney) Broadway: Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations (David Ruffin). National Tours: Girl from the North Country (Joe Scott), Motown the Musical (Marvin Gaye), May We All (Joe). TV: Only Murders in the Building. Grateful to family and friends for their endless love and support. This performance is dedicated to the memory of dear friend and fellow artist Kaleb Kreidler, whose light and laughter continue to inspire every step I take on stage. IG: @mattmanuelmusic