Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE returns in an utterly delightful, top notch Off-Broadway revival

• By drediman
• November 18, 2025
• No Comments

Last night marked the opening of the first major New York revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. As its title indicates, the musical essentially re-enacts a fictitious spelling bee competition, in which we learn more about the young contestants, often in side-splitting anecdotes that accompany each of their turns at the mike (the very funny and well-crafted book, which seamlessly and hilariously incorporates elements of audience participation, is by Rachel Sheinkin). Featuring a tuneful William Finn score that uncannily channels the sweetness, awkwardness, and anxieties of being in middle school without condescending to the show’s young characters, the musical struck a chord when it premiered on Broadway more than two decades ago and has since become a favorite with community and regional theaters across the country.

Danny Mefford’s well-judged revival at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages — which was first seen at the Kennedy Center with a slightly different cast a little more than a year ago — is a pretty close facsimile to James Lapine’s original production that charmed audiences at Circle in the Square during the early to mid aughts. There are some slight differences, however. The revival updates the show to our current post-pandemic times and has slightly re-written the role of the bee’s “comfort counselor” from being an ex-convict to an ex-personal trainer. That being said, as they say, don’t try to fix it if it isn’t broken, which is certainly the case here. Indeed, this is still very much the Spelling Bee we all know, love, and didn’t know how much we needed, especially during these fraught times (at the performance I attended, many in the audience were obvious fans of the show, anticipating each tune and laugh with great anticipation).

The top notch revival cast is utterly adorable and convincingly prepubescent, with each actor putting their own distinct spin on the show’s familiar roles. Drama Desk-winner Jasmine Amy Rogers is all but unrecognizable as the sensitive Olive, proving her astonishing versatility in a performance that tugs at the heart. If the other two “girls” — Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy and Autumn Best as Logainne, both very good — don’t quite stack up, it’s a testament to the depth and sensitivity of Rogers’ turn. As for the “boys” — the hugely charismatic Justin Cooley is a completely distinctive and disarming Leaf, Kevin McHale’s comic timing is pure gold as William, and Philippe Arroyo imbues Chip with just the right balance of toxic male swagger and insecurity. Last but not least is the lovely Lilli Cooper, whose portrayal of Rona, the competition’s adult host, oozes empathy and the enduring glow of an inner child.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Off-Broadway, Musical
New World Stages
1 hour, 45 minutes (without an intermission)
Open run