The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a sure-fire show, always delighting audiences with Rachel Sheinken’s very funny book, and William Finn’s tuneful score. The musical is continuously staged around the country, and now a superb production has landed Off-Broadway for a limited run.
Spelling Bee revolves around six elementary school students, misfits and outsiders, competing in the town’s annual Bee. Sitting on bleachers in a school auditorium they take turns spelling, at times, incredibly difficult words. Librettist Sheinkin has created rich characters with lovable eccentricities. The interplay between contestants and judges, as the students ask for word definitions or use in a sentence, can be absolutely hilarious. In Act II there is an underlying theme of melancholy as we learn more about each character, but never do these reflective moments take away from the lighthearted nature of the musical.
Sheinkin has also added a touch of audience participation where individuals from the
audience are seamlessly added to the performance. They interact with the cast members, dance and are called upon to spell words, often with uproarious results. Eventually, the “guests” are weeded out and the actors get down to business. For the production at New World Stages, a celebrity guest has been added to the shenanigans. At my performance, Michael Urie was called on stage, and treated like all the other “guests.”
The charming, perfectly cast group of performers, defines an ensemble effort. They thoroughly blend together where the sum of the parts create a greater whole. While all the performers are marvelous, three deserve special attention. Kevin McHale, best known as Artie on the TV program, Glee, is terrific as William Barfee, a nebbish, self-absorbed student with a magic foot to help him spell. Justin Cooley, who made a splash a few seasons back in Kimberly Akimbo, is excellent as the ingratiating, slightly askew Leif Coneybear. Jasmine Amy Rogers is impressive as the reserved, mild-mannered Olive Ostrovsky. Rogers, who was outstanding as Betty Boop in last year’s Boop – the Musical, is almost unrecognizable in her role. The other “student” performers, all endearing with well-defined quirks and back stories are Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Autumn Best as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, and Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park. The “adult” characters also give notable performances - Lilli Cooper as the perky emcee and former Bee winner, Rona Lisa Peretti; Jason Kravits as the slightly agitated Vice Principal Douglas Panch; and Matt Manuel, who gives an energetic, athletic twist to comfort coach Mitch Mahoney.
William Finn’s score is tuneful, poignant, and full of humor. While there are a few group numbers, most notably the entertaining “Pandemonium,” the majority of the songs both fully encapsulate each character’s unique background.
The strength of Danny Mefford’s direction and choreography is how effortless it unfolds on the small stage. Every actor, whether alone or in the full cast production numbers, hits their mark with precision. He seems to have given cast members leeway in improvising, but never to the detriment of his finely laid out agenda. He also perfectly blends in the “guest” performers without losing a beat. While the action on stage can sometimes convey bedlam or tumult, Mefford’s guidance is well-controlled commotion.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a winning production for audiences of all ages, playing through April 12, 2026 at New World Stages, conveniently located in the theater district.
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