The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (New World Stages, Off-Broadway)

Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Host: Mickey Jo
Air Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Type: ★★★★★ REVIEW

Episode Overview

Mickey Jo reviews the joyful Off-Broadway return of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at New World Stages, sharing his first-ever experience of this cult favorite musical. He dives into the show’s creative origins, its unique blend of comedy and heart, inventive staging, and the exceptional performances that bring its quirky characters to life. Throughout the episode, Mickey Jo maintains his trademark wit and warmth, making this an engaging and insightful review for newcomers and seasoned theatre fans alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Jubilant Return – General Impressions

Timestamp: 01:34–04:25

• Mickey Jo describes the production as “rapturous, joyous, jubilant piece of theater," launching into the review with the show's signature spelling humor:

  “Jubilant. J-U-B-I-L-A-N-T. And Theatre. T-H-E-A-T—eh? Well actually it depends. Language of origin? Oh my God.” (01:37, Mickey Jo)

• He shares excitement about finally seeing the show live, noting its “substantial New York homecoming” two decades after its Broadway debut.
• Reminds listeners how the musical isn’t often produced in the UK, making this viewing particularly meaningful for him.
• Encourages listeners to comment their own Spelling Bee experiences, particularly if they've been an onstage “guest speller.”

2. Creative Origins and Unique DNA

Timestamp: 04:25–07:48

• Origins: The show is based on Rebecca Feldman’s improv comedy play "Crepuscule." Mickey Jo spells out the original title for fun and notes the musical’s book is by Rachel Sheinkin and the score by William Finn.
• William Finn, who “sadly passed away earlier this year,” is praised for his “deceptively sophisticated” score that avoids being “juvenile or bubblegum,” fitting these “oddball” and “neurotic” young characters.
• The musical’s style is “wise and thoughtful beyond [the characters'] years,” with Finn’s signature wit and “slightly twisted quality.”
• Mickey Jo stresses how the show’s tone and musical choices let young characters remain believable while being over-the-top and comedic.

3. Format & Audience Participation

Timestamp: 07:48–09:45

• The show’s competitiveness is compared to hit musicals such as "Six," "A Chorus Line," and "Ride the Cyclone.”
• A signature feature is bringing four audience members onstage as “guest spellers”:

  “For the current Off Broadway run, you can do this in the lobby area just outside the theatre at New World Stages...” (08:36, Mickey Jo)

• This builds unpredictability, improv, and connection.
• Guest spellers receive fun facts from the host—prewritten for characters but improvised for audience members, upping the live comedy factor.

4. Structure, Comedy, and Emotional Depth

Timestamp: 09:45–12:30

• The action is a single-act spelling competition—with dramatic stakes as each contestant tries to spell increasingly difficult words.

  “They go out of their way to explain the rules... which I guess is also for the benefit of the guest spellers who have been brought on stage.” (11:04, Mickey Jo)

• Songs serve as either inner monologues or direct addresses, blending humor, neurosis, and moments of genuine vulnerability.
• Judges (Rona Lisa Peretti and Vice Principal Douglas Panch) and the “Comfort Counselor” provide comic adult perspectives.
• The musical’s humor is likened to the film "Best in Show":

  “Cartoonish personalities desperately trying to win in this arena about which they are so, so passionate.” (11:57, Mickey Jo)

• “The I Love You Song” is highlighted as a haunting, moving moment, providing emotional contrast to the general silliness.

5. Performance Highlights – The Cast

Timestamp: 13:33–22:41

Adult Roles

• Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti:

  “She oversees the bee with ultimate composure... maintaining a dignity while even delighting in some of the emotional devastation during the competition.” (13:40, Mickey Jo)

  • Praised for blending “Mary Poppins-esque” mannerisms with “delicious” vocal tone.
  • A standout improv moment:

    “No, it doesn’t say that.” (15:38, Lilli Cooper as Rona, after being grilled by Marcy Park; delivered in a deadpan, dropped voice that Mickey Jo loved)

  • Notably, her journey from playing youths in Spring Awakening to now an adult in another young ensemble feels like “a nice tribute to both the show and her career.”
• Jason Kravitz as Vice Principal Panch:
  • “Perfectly self-deprecating,” “quintessential comedic tone,” and expert delivery of increasingly absurd word definitions and uses in context.
• Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney:
  • “Refreshingly startled by the extreme emotional reactions of these students,” providing a “more grounded” comedic energy.

Student Spellers

• Autumn Best as Logan Schwarzengrubeniere
  • “High achieving...with a deeply, deeply comic lisp and parents with extraordinary expectations.”
  • Costume and physical portrayal highlight her as a “juvenile cartoon.”
• Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky

  “She has a sensational, powerful voice, undeniable star power...breathtaking subtlety and nuance.” (17:53, Mickey Jo)

  • Emotionally moving in “The I Love You Song”; connects deeply with the audience through honest vulnerability.
• Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino
  • “Returning champion,” less nervous but “prone to distraction,” leading to a famously comic ‘climax’ song moment:

  “What he does in that moment is just comedy brilliance.” (20:10, Mickey Jo)

• Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear
  • “Oddball among oddballs,” “deeply charming,” with a “wait, what?” comedic vibe.
• Liana Rae Conception as Marcy Park
  • “Hyper intellectual... takes issue with how she’s perceived.”
  • Intensity and pretentiousness played just right, bringing out both the humor and pressure of high achievement.
• Kevin McHale as William Barfy (Barfay):

  “Such a hysterically brilliant standout... almost walks away with the entire show.” (22:08, Mickey Jo)

  • “Utter confidence” paired with “self-deprecating revelations,” amplified by physical comedy and a signature “magic foot.”

Creative Design

• Costumes (Emily Rebholz): Accentuate each character’s quirks and backgrounds immediately.
• Set (Teresa L. Williams): Static but “so detailed and thorough,” creating an immersive high school gym with an onstage band.
• Lighting (David Weiner): Helps theatricalize the gym and highlight key moments.

6. Tone, Takeaways, and Recommendations

Timestamp: 22:41–27:50

• Mickey Jo is effusive:

  “I had the biggest smile on my face as well as laughing hysterically throughout this show. I think it’s just joyous. This feels...like a pretty perfect production of this source material.” (22:55, Mickey Jo)

• Emphasizes the show's accessibility for both young and adult audiences:

  “Young people feel a little reflected in the personalities... there’s perhaps also…something to both recall and relate to for older members of the audience as well.” (25:05, Mickey Jo)

• Calls this run “one of my biggest New York musical theatre recommendations right now."
• Encourages audience:

  “If you haven’t already, I urge you to go and check out the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee… I can’t wait to go back to the show. I thought it was a delight.” (26:10, Mickey Jo)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the heart of the show:

  “Much of the reason why Spelling Bee works as well as it does is these characters. But also it’s something very easy to laugh with, with an immediately clear premise…” (10:32, Mickey Jo)

• On actor-audience interaction:

  “There’s a fun moment of improv as these audience members get to hear fun jokes about them, inspired by what they’re wearing, if it’s a celebrity, then by their career.” (11:31, Mickey Jo)

• On the show’s emotional climax:

  “The I love you song performed by Olive Ostrovsky…very haunting and emotionally moving and pretty uniquely at odds with everything else that is happening musically throughout the show.” (12:17, Mickey Jo)

• On Kevin McHale’s performance:

  “He is perfect for musical theatre and he needs to do so much more of it.” (22:36, Mickey Jo)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:30 – Brief show intro and personal history
• 04:25 – Show’s creative origins and tone
• 07:48 – The audience participation format
• 13:33 – In-depth cast and performance reviews
• 22:41 – Reflection, recommendations, and final thoughts

Overall Tone and Closing Message

Mickey Jo’s review sparkles with infectious enthusiasm, clever asides, and meaningful insight. His core message is that the Spelling Bee is as much a brilliant comic vehicle as it is “joyous and moving,” with standout performances and design making this production “pretty perfect.” He urges everyone—“especially young theatergoers, but also adults”—to experience the unique wit and warmth of this Off-Broadway gem.

Final Recommendation

"If you haven’t already, I urge you to go and check out the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in New York at New World Stages. This is one of my biggest New York musical theatre recommendations right now. I can’t wait to go back to the show. I thought it was a delight." (26:10, Mickey Jo)

For more theatre reviews and insights, subscribe to MickeyJoTheatre on YouTube or follow his podcast. Share your own Spelling Bee experiences in the comments!