New World Stages | Stage 3

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Twenty years after a buzzy, Tony Award-winning run on Broadway, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is BACK in New York City. As contestants white-knuckle adolescence and the heat of competition, their emotions run from A to Z — but they step up to the mic anyway because they love spelling, and because being a champion could solve everything.

With music and lyrics by Tony Award winner William Finn, a book by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin, and new direction and choreography by Danny Mefford, Spelling Bee is about the little wins that carry us through life’s many awkward spells.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

HISTORY

Constructed on the site of the third Madison Square Garden (1925-1968), New World Stages was originally built as the Loews Cineplex Entertainment movie theater (1994-2001) in Worldwide Plaza. Following substantial renovations, the theater re-opened as Dodger Stages in 2004 and was renamed New World Stages on March 16, 2006. The theater complex has housed many commercial theatrical productions, as well as numerous corporate events, readings, and concerts.

ARCHITECTURE

The architects were Beyer, Blinder, and Belle. The theatre designers were Sachs Morgan, and the interior designer was Klara Zieglerova. The largest Off-Broadway theater size in New York, Stage 3’s blue velvet seats in a traditional orchestra/ mezzanine arrangement invite audiences to enjoy their favorite productions in an intimate environment, with ample leg room and excellent sightlines.

DETAILS ON STAGE 3'S ACCESSIBILITY

Access Information

Theatre is wheelchair accessible.

Accessibility by Seating Section

Orchestra Location: There are no steps between rows.

Mezzanine Location: Wheelchair seating does not involve steps.

Handrails: Available on every step in the Mezzanine.

Wheelchair | Companion Seat Locations:
Orchestra: P101 | P102, O101, O102; P103 | P104, O103, O104, P105 | P106, O107, O108; P109 | P110, O109, O110

Mezzanine: D20 | D18, D16, D14

Elevators/Escalator

There is an elevator and escalator from the ground level to the theater level.
Please Note: The 50th Street escalator at New World Stages is being replaced and will be unavailable from 7/24/23 – 10/20/23.

Restroom

Restrooms are wheelchair accessible on the Orchestra and Mezzanine levels.

Water Fountain

Located on the Orchestra level.

Theatre Policies
The use of cameras, recording devices, cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices during the performance is prohibited, except as permitted for accessibility services. Everyone attending a performance must have a ticket. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Wheelchair and mobility-impaired seating is intended for patrons with mobility disabilities. Children under the age of four years will not be admitted. No outside food or beverage permitted, unless medically necessary. No weapons permitted on the premises.

PRODUCTIONS

Stage 3 has been home to Mandy Patinkin in Concert (2004), Modern Orthodox starring Molly Ringwald and Jason Biggs (2004), A Mother A Daughter and a Gun (2005), Burleigh Grime$ (2006), and Mimi LeDuck starring Eartha Kitt (2006).  In 2009, the Tony Award winning musical Avenue Q took residence in Stage 3.

THEATRE SPECS

Stage 3
New World Stages
340 West 50th Street
Between 8th and 9th and Avenues
New York, NY 10019

Seating Chart