How do you spell G-L-E-E??
TONY AWARD WINNER
ALEX NEWELL
JOINS THE COMPANY AS RONA LISA PERETTI
FOR FOUR WEEKS ONLY
IN THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING REVIVAL OF
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
(NEW YORK, NY – June 25, 2026) The producers of the 2026 Lortel, Dorian Theater, and Off-Broadway Alliance Award-winning revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are thrilled to announce today that Tony Award winning stage sensation Alex Newell (Shucked, “Glee”) will join the cast as the Bee’s moderator & 3rd annual Putnam County spelling champion Rona Lisa Peretti, beginning Friday, August 7, for 4 weeks only. As previously announced, Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper will play her final performance as Rona on Sunday, August 2. Newell joins a coterie of new stars in the celebrated revival, including 2-time Emmy Award winner Jon Cryer, Disney Channel star Laura Marano and Nina White (beginning Monday, August 10).
The first ever major revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee currently features a musical theater all-star cast, including 2-time Emmy Award-winner Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men,” Pretty in Pink) as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Grammy Nominee & SAG Award winner Kevin McHale (“Glee”), in his New York stage debut as William Barfée, Tony Award nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers (BOOP!) as Olive Ostrovsky through August 9, Fernell Hogan (Kimberly Akimbo, The Prom) as Leaf Coneybear through July 22 covering the role during Tony Award Nominee Justin Cooley’s leave of absence, Philippe Arroyo (& Juliet) as Chip Tolentino, Laura Marano (Disney’s “Austin & Ally,” Netflix’s The Perfect Date) as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Leana Rae Concepcion (Merrily We Roll Along) as Marcy Park, Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper (Spring Awakening, Tootsie, POTUS) as Rona Lisa Peretti through August 2, and Matt Manuel (Ain’t Too Proud) as Mitch Mahoney. Rounding out the cast as understudies are Brandon L. Armstrong, Jahbril Cook, DeMarius Copes, Vanessa Magula, Emily Nicole Rudolph, and Cecilia Snow.
Featuring a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin (Striking 12, Sleeping Beauty Wakes) and a vibrant score by Tony Award winner William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain), this new production of the musical is directed & choreographed by Danny Mefford (Kimberly Akimbo, Dear Evan Hansen). The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced and funny D-E-L-I-G-H-T. As six wonderfully unique and impassioned contestants vie for the championship by spelling their way through vexing vocabulary, hilarious and poignant personal stories unfold…along with a dash of riotous audience participation. This charmingly witty and touching musical has entertained audiences across the world since its Tony–winning Broadway debut in 2005.
The 20th Anniversary Production, and first ever major revival, opened to critical acclaim on November 17, 2025, following previews that began on November 7, 2025, and has extended twice to now run through September 6, 2026. Declared by The New York Times as “the gift we desperately needed,” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee delivers an unforgettable experience that leaves audiences spellbound. In addition to winning the 2026 Lucille Lortel Award, the Off Broadway Alliance Award, and the Dorian Award for Best Revival of a musical, the production was one of the most nominated shows of the season – on Broadway & off - receiving an additional Lortel nomination for Best Ensemble; 4 Drama League Award Nominations for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Distinguished Performance (Cooley, Rogers); 4 Drama Desk Award Nominations for Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Featured Performance (Cooper, Rogers); and 4 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations for Outstanding Revival, and Outstanding Featured Performer (Cooley, McHale, Rogers).
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with Additional Material by Jay Reiss and is based on "C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E," an original play by The Farm. First developed at Barrington Stage Company, the show debuted Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater in 2005 – earning widespread critical acclaim and winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical. The show immediately transferred to Broadway’s Circle in The Square Theatre, where it won two Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, and enjoyed a hugely successful run of nearly three years.
The new production of Spelling Bee features Scenic Design by Teresa L. Williams (The Preacher’s Wife), Costume Design by Emily Rebholz (Dear Evan Hansen), Lighting Design by David Weiner (Suddenly Last Summer), and Sound Design by Haley Parcher (Spamalot). The Music Supervisor is Carmel Dean (The Notebook), and the Music Director is Elizabeth Doran (Water for Elephants). Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting (Sweeney Todd), General Management is by 321 Theatrical Management (Wicked, The Outsiders), and the Production Stage Manager is Rachel Zucker (Pirates! The Penzance Musical).
The musical is produced by Barbara Whitman, Aaron Glick, and Timothy Bloom by special arrangement with David Stone, and co-produced by James L. Nederlander, Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Debra Martin Chase, Rachel Sussman, Patrick Catullo and Ryan Solomon.
ALEX NEWELL is a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner who made history for their performance as Lulu in the Broadway hit Shucked. They previously starred as the goddess Asaka in the Tony Award-winning revival of Once On This Island, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Newell is widely recognized for their breakout role as Unique Adams on “Glee” and has also starred in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Empire,” “Our Kind of People,” and the feature film Another Simple Favor. A celebrated recording artist, Newell continues captivating audiences across stage, screen, and music.