9 / 10
Finn’s tunes remain toe-tapping treats, and the whole cast throws themselves into the numbers with a youthful energy that suits their characters’ ages. Spelling Bee is the perfect antidote to these dreary anxiety-ridden times, and it’s worth settling down for a long, laughter-induced spell.
10 / 10
The show doesn’t laugh at its characters or at the competition itself, but humorously and movingly unpacks the spoken and silent challenges in the school gym that day. You root for the kids to win, and you nervously hold your breath as they hesitate over the orders of letters as they complete their spellings. Most of all, you marvel at the witty genius behind bringing it all together under the eaves of one exceptional musical.
Kevin McHale, who made his New York stage debut as William Barfée, will play his final performance in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in August.
Disney Channel star Laura Marano and Fernell Hogan have joined the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre and Leaf Coneybear, respectively. Check out photos here!
Tony Award winner Alex Newell will join the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as the Bee’s moderator & 3rd annual Putnam County spelling champion Rona Lisa Peretti.
Nina White and Fernell Hogan will be joining the Off-Broadway company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, replacing Jasmine Amy Rogers and Justin Cooley in the roles of Olive and Leaf Coneybear.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is going strong at New World Stages and the cast is giving a special look behind the curtain with Michael Kushner's The Dressing Room Project. Check out exclusive photos from backstage with the full company!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee cast members Lilli Cooper and Jasmine Amy Rogers will each complete their extended runs in the production this summer.
Television star and singer/songwriter Laura Marano will make her New York stage debut as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Off-Broadway.
The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee winner, Shrey Parikh, put his spelling skills to the test as one of the guest spellers in the award-winning revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Check out video here!
There's a new VP at the bee! Emmy Award-winning comedic legend Jon Cryer just joined the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Vice Principal Douglas Panch. Check out an exclusive first look at him in action here!
The Off=Broadway production of The 25th Annual County Spelling Bee has announced the cancellation of tonight's performance due to illness. The production shared the news on a social post earlier this evening.
Jon Cryer steps into The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Vice Principal Douglas Panch starting May 11 at New World Stages.
Emmy Award-winning comedic legend Jon Cryer will return to his theater roots and join the cast as Vice Principal Douglas Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
As The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continues its extended run Off-Broadway, buy some merch from the show! The production is offering a variety of apparel, along with a mug, keychain, pens, beanie, apparel, and more.
In this edition of Words From The Wings, we catch up with Matt Manuel, who plays Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off-Broadway, to share some of his favorite backstage moments, must-haves, and more!
Whitney Leavitt made a special appearance at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this week. Watch a video of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and Dancing With the Stars alum as a 'guest speller' on her night off from Chicago.
| 2004 | Regional (US) |
Workshop Regional (US) |
| 2004 |
World Premiere |
|
| 2005 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
| 2005 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
| 2006 |
San Francisco Production |
|
| 2006 | US Tour |
First National Tour US Tour |
| 2006 | Boston |
Boston Production Boston |
| 2011 | West End |
Donmar Warehouse Production West End |
| 2014 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Ford's Theatre Society Production Washington, DC (Regional) |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Danny Mefford |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Lilli Cooper |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee |
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL | Danny Mefford |
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Justin Cooley |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Kevin McHale |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee |
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