All Of It with Alison Stewart

Live Music From the Cast of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

Date: March 19, 2026
Episode Theme:
A vibrant conversation and live performance with the cast of the acclaimed revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, exploring the show's timeless appeal, the experience of embodying these unique characters, and the joy that the musical brings to cast, audience, and New York City’s theater scene.

Main Episode Overview

Host Alison Stewart welcomes cast members Kevin McHale (William Barfay), Jasmine Amy Rogers (Olive Ostrovsky), Justin Cooley (Leaf Coneybear), and Liana Rae Concepcion (Marcy Park) into the WNYC studio for an engaging mix of live performance and discussion. The episode spotlights the off-Broadway return of Spelling Bee as a celebration of quirk, resilience, and the universal awkwardness of adolescence, while also discussing how the show remains meaningful, inclusive, and fun for both new and seasoned audiences.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Revival’s Origin and Cast’s Backgrounds

[05:39 - 11:12]

• Kevin McHale shares that his theater debut was in this show at the Kennedy Center (2024) and describes being drawn in unexpectedly to the role of William Barfay.
  • “I thought I was gonna be auditioning for the part Justin plays, Leaf … And after reading the script and listening to all the music, I realized, oh, yes, Barfay is correct. And the casting directors do know what they're doing.” (Kevin McHale, 06:36)
• Liana Rae Concepcion reflects on returning to the show, contrasting it with prior, heavier roles:
  • “It is a joy bomb … How can I not want to do this again and bring it home to New York City?” (Liana Rae Concepcion, 07:12)
• Jasmine Amy Rogers discusses shifting from starring in ‘Betty Boop’ to an ensemble production:
  • “I love sharing the load … It’s nice to just exist amongst each other … I love that it’s not all on me.” (Jasmine Amy Rogers, 08:10)
• Justin Cooley compares this show to his breakout in ‘Kimberly Akimbo’, describing a coming-of-age for himself as an actor.
  • "It felt like such a great opportunity for me to, like, kind of grow into myself as an actor … it was really exciting to kind of do that big second show in New York." (Justin Cooley, 09:03)

Nostalgia and Personal Spelling Bee Stories

[10:15 - 11:05]

• The cast reminisces about their childhood spelling bee experiences.
  • Notable moment: Justin admits, “I did spelling bees in third, fourth, and fifth grade. But I had deafening stage fright at that time. … I never made it to counties, so this is dream fulfillment.” (Justin Cooley, 10:48)

Casting Against Type & Representation

[11:34 - 15:03]

• Jasmine Amy Rogers opens up about her surprise in being cast as Olive Ostrovsky, a role traditionally played by white actors, and the personal challenge of adopting a vocally and characteristically different persona.
  • “I really did not think it was something that was for me. And especially being a black girl growing up in this body and watching Olive have been previously always a white woman. … The character isn’t about her race necessarily. She’s just a girl.” (Jasmine Amy Rogers, 11:34)
• Kevin McHale emphasizes empathy in portraying Barfay’s bluster:
  • “The beauty of the show is that them being so genuine with all their little quirks and odd things is funny, but at no point are we making fun of them … For me, Barfay was scary because he is loud … So it has been a really wonderful way for me to learn that part about myself.” (Kevin McHale, 13:14)
• Liana Rae Concepcion reflects on reshaping Marcy Park away from flat stereotypes:
  • “Marcy Park, you know, is an Asian woman and was originated by an Asian woman. … Everything in the text about Marcy is the antithesis of how she has been consistently played for the last 20 years. … The thing that I take very seriously is making sure that any young Asian person who is seeing my body on stage … understands they are more than just all of these stereotypes.” (Liana Rae Concepcion, 15:15)

Why the Show Endures

[18:45 - 19:27]

• Liana Rae Concepcion describes the show’s accessibility and enduring popularity:
  • “It is fun. … It just gives the opportunity for kids to be kids, which is also exciting, and to really tell such a beautiful story that’ll resonate with everyone seeing the show.” (Liana Rae Concepcion, 18:48)

Glee and Musical Theater Crossover

[19:27 - 21:34]

• Kevin McHale discusses how skills from his time on ‘Glee’ prepared him for musical theater:
  • “Almost everything … Having that experience and having done it is so useful, and I feel so lucky because it is tapping back into those things. … we would say, ‘Oh, did you have an ultimate Glee day?’ … We’re doing all of those things. Everybody in theater is doing all of those things at different times.” (Kevin McHale, 19:47)

Audience Participation and Celebrity Guest Spellers

[21:34 - 22:57]

• Justin Cooley, with help from the cast, recalls notable celebrity audience participants:
  • “We had Daniel Radcliffe, which was amazing … the audience was crazy. Stephanie J. … Block. Al Roker. … But there's actually sort of like, they don't want that all the time. It is about. Anybody can come see the show and sign up in the lobby before and have a chance to, like, be on stage and make their Off Broadway debut.” (Justin Cooley & Kevin McHale, 21:54-22:35)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “This show revitalized my heart for participating. Spelling Bee ignites the heart of a child in all of us.” (Listener text, read by Alison Stewart, 26:09)
• “She finally has the freedom to make a choice for the first time in her life and makes the choice that she actually doesn't want this and that is okay.” (Liana Rae Concepcion on Marcy Park, 16:33)
• “The beauty of the show is that them being so genuine... is funny, but at no point are we making fun of them.” (Kevin McHale, 13:23)

Live Music Performances

“My Friend the Dictionary”

[03:00 - 05:39]

• Performed by Elizabeth Doran (on piano & vocals) and cast.
• Highlights Olive’s longing for connection through language and books.

“Magic Foot”

[23:00 - 26:04]

• Performed by Kevin McHale and ensemble, with call-outs and playful asides.
• Showcases William Barfay’s signature spelling style—tracing words with his foot—and the song’s weird, exuberant fun.
• “Magic Foot, take me to the final round. Magic foot, barely lifted off the ground…” (Kevin McHale, 23:06)

Notable Timestamps

• 05:39: Alison begins cast questions.
• 06:43: Kevin McHale on casting and partner’s help.
• 07:12: Liana Rae Concepcion on why she returned to the show.
• 08:10: Jasmine Amy Rogers on ensemble joy.
• 09:03: Justin Cooley on growing as an actor.
• 10:48: Justin recounts emotional real-life spelling bee trauma.
• 11:34: Jasmine on the surprise and impact of playing Olive as a Black woman.
• 13:14: Kevin on balancing comedy and empathy for Barfay.
• 15:15: Liana Rae Concepcion on playing Marcy Park beyond stereotypes.
• 18:48: Liana on the show’s intergenerational accessibility.
• 19:47: Kevin on the parallels between Glee and performing musical theater.
• 21:54: Justin recalls celebrity and “normie” guest spellers.
• 23:00: Setup and performance of “Magic Foot.”
• 26:09: Listener text sums up the emotional impact of the show.

Overall Mood and Tone

Warm, nostalgic, and deeply appreciative of both the art and the audience. The cast’s camaraderie and insight shine through, blending playful banter with thoughtful reflection on representation, artistic risk, and honoring the awkward magic of growing up.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a vivid celebration of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s enduring spark—its heart, humor, and inclusivity. Through candid discussion and raucous live music, the cast reveals not just the joyful absurdity of the show, but also the deeper care they invest in reimagining its characters for everyone watching and listening. Whether you’re a theater lover, a former awkward kid, or a New Yorker longing for culture and community, this episode is pure, spellbinding fun.