November 17, 2025 8:00 pm
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★★★★☆ A new production of the Tony-nominated musical comedy goes to the head of the class
The cast of Spelling Bee. Photo: Joan Marcus
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, has aged quite well since its debut 20 years ago. Its sweet and spicy depiction of pre-pubescent children sweating through the pressures of a local spelling contest was a much needed balm at the time as we were still recovering from the horrors of 9/11. Rachel Sheinkin’s masterful book (which went on to win the Tony Award) and William Finn’s clever music and lyrics turned the James Lapine directed production into a big hit in 2005, running nearly three years on Broadway. After a lauded run at the Kennedy Center last year, it’s back in the city in a more intimate space Off-Broadway at the New World Stages; and the timing is just right as stress-levels in the nation are running high once again. For 105 minutes, this delightfully wise and witty musical is the ideal antidote for anyone needing a return of innocence and laughter in their upended lives.
The concept is quite simple. Young school-age students compete for the coveted spelling bee trophy in their fictional hometown. There are no bigger stakes at that age and for them it’s a matter of do or die. The contest is run by former winner Rona Lisa Peretti (the excellent Lilli Cooper) and Vice Principal Douglas Panch (the hysterically dry-witted Jason Kravitz) who take their administrative duties quite seriously. The other adult in the room is Comfort Counsellor Mitch Mahoney (Matt Manuel), tasked with handing the unfortunate losers a consolation juice box and maybe a hug as he escorts them out the door.
The revival is getting a very welcome assist from Jay Reiss, credited with providing additional material. His topical updates – referencing ketamine, airport delays and the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Zohran Mamdani – are an absolute scream. When the kids are given a word to spell they have the right to ask for its meaning. They can also ask for the word to be used in a sentence. Sheinkin’s script is funny enough but the hilarity is compounded with Reiss’ pungently droll contributions,
The students are the true stars of the show, and the six actors, far older than the 11 and 12 year olds they portray, are impressively convincing. Shoutout to Emily Rebholz for her spot on costumes. As the returning champ, Chip Tolentino (Philippe Arroyo) is a hoot. Chip could have won again if not for a certain body part unavoidably rising at the sight of an attractive schoolmate in the audience which leaves him hopelessly distracted.
But this is no standard musical comedy. Beyond the humor, there is pathos which makes the story that much more engaging. Each of the kids has some sort of cross to bear. For Marcy Park (Leana Rae Concepcion) who already speaks six languages, it’s her tiger parents who push her to extremes. The adorably awkward Leaf Coneybear (Justin Cooley), regarded as the dumb one among his many siblings, is constantly trying to prove he’s smart too. The youngest contestant, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Autumn Best), lives to please her two overbearing dads who’ve saddled her with their combined last names. They’ve forbidden the word “lose” in her vocabulary. Kevin McHale (famed for his star turn in Glee) plays William Barfee, pronounced “Bar-FAY” with the accent aigu, as he’s quick to point out. McHale’s jerky physicality is the embodiment of a total nerd on the spectrum who spells out words with his “magic foot.” Jasmine Amy Rogers who was Tony nominated this year in the lead role of “Boop” on Broadway proves her versatility as Olive Ostrovsky, a shy girl with absentee parents. When she sings “The I Love You Song “, yearning for her mother at an ashram in India and her workaholic father, it strikes a poignantly bittersweet note.
There are actually four more contestants – volunteers plucked from the audience – and thanks to some sharp adlibs from the cast, their participation adds even more grist for the laugh mill.
Danny Mefford, credited with direction and choreography deserves kudos for this production’s success. He balances the light and dark components with great finesse. The kids may be stereotypes but there’s plenty of truth to be found in the portrayals. And that’s no easy feat to pull off.
William Finn, who passed away this past April, would surely have appreciated this latest production. Even with a tiny 5 piece band, the songs are delivered with gusto.
Spelling bee participants are an odd lot. Full disclosure, I was one of them way back in the day. It’s a terribly vulnerable time for most children that age. Finn’s song “Pandemonium” captures the angst and confusion they experience. The show plays it mostly for laughs but it has the added elements of insight and wisdom. For that reason, anyone raising children may need to see it even more than their kids. It’s not just entertaining and funny, it offers much to learn about family dynamics; and when it all aligns, it’s a perfect syzygy.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opened November 17, 2025, at New World Stages and runs through April 12, 2026. Tickets and information: spellingbeenyc.com
