I saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages and it was an absolute joy. This revival is funny, warm, generous, and deeply human in a way that sneaks up on you. I walked in already liking this show and walked out fully in love with it again. I also immediately bought a magnet and started planning when I could come back.
The cast is phenomenal from top to bottom. Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky is extraordinary. After her far too short stint as Betty Boop, which closed way too early, seeing her here felt like a gift. She steals every scene she is in. Her Olive is open, vulnerable, funny, and devastating when it needs to be. When she sang “The I Love You Song,” the entire theater seemed to hold its breath. Moist eyes everywhere. It was one of those moments that reminds you why live theater matters.
Kevin McHale was hilarious as William Barfée, with razor sharp timing and a “Magic Foot” that brought the house down. Philippe Arroyo, who I first saw in & Juliet, absolutely kills it as Chip Tolentino. He is funny, earnest, and incredibly easy to root for. “My Unfortunate Erection” lands with the exact balance the show needs. Bold, uncomfortable in the right way, and still weirdly sweet. He commits fully and it works.
Leana Rae Concepcion is excellent as Marcy Park, and “I Speak Six Languages” was one of the biggest highlights of the night. She sings it with precision and intensity, making it funny, impressive, and quietly heartbreaking all at once. Justin Cooley was wonderful as Leaf Coneybear. Yes, it is very much the same sweet, awkward energy he brought to Kimberly Akimbo, and that is exactly why it works so well here. He is genuinely funny and completely lovable.
The rest of the cast is just as strong. Lilli Cooper is confident and grounded as Rona Lisa Peretti. Jason Kravits is perfectly dry and sarcastic as Vice Principal Douglas Panch. Autumn Best brings sharpness and emotional specificity to Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre. Matt Manuel adds warmth and sincerity as Mitch Mahoney, grounding the show when it needs it most.
The audience participation remains one of the great joys of this piece. Bringing audience members onstage as additional spellers adds a communal, unpredictable energy that makes each performance feel special. It never feels gimmicky. It feels like the show opening its arms wider.
Director and choreographer Danny Mefford did an amazing job with this revival. The staging is clean, playful, and emotionally clear. Nothing feels overworked. Every choice serves the story and the characters. This production understands the delicate balance of comedy and sincerity that makes Spelling Bee work, and it nails it.
All my favorite songs landed hard. “Magic Foot” was electric. “I’m Not That Smart” hit deeper than expected. “I Speak Six Languages” was pure delight. And “The I Love You Song” stopped time. The show is currently set for a limited run through February 15, 2026, and I truly hope it gets extended. I loved it and am already planning to see it again as soon as I possibly can.
