Jasmine Amy Rogers, Autumn Best, and Matt Manuel Join THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE At New World Stages
.png)
Spellers, get ready! Tony Award nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers will star as Olive Ostrovsky in the first New York revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, alongside Autumn Best as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre and Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney.
The trio of stars joins previously announced Kevin McHale as William Barfée, Tony Award Nominee Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, and Theaterly 31 alum Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park.
The production will begin previews at New World Stages on Nov. 7 with opening night set for Nov. 17. It will play a strictly limited 14-week engagement through Feb. 15, 2026.
Rogers was last seen in the titular role in BOOP! She was nominated for the 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance. She also played Anita in the Pasadena Playhouse production of Jelly’s Last Jam and Gretchen Wieners in the National Tour of Mean Girls. She was also a Jimmy Awards’ finalist. Best is known for her role in Netflix’s film Woman of the Hour, and has been seen in the CW series 4400. As an actress with a limb difference, she is a passionate advocate for creatives with disabilities. Manuel was last seen on Broadway in Ain’t Too Proud, and has toured in Girl from the North Country, Motown the Musical, and May We All. He’s been seen on screen in Only Murders in the Building.
Spelling Bee features a book by Rachel Sheinkin and a score by Tony Award winner William Finn. The new production is directed & choreographed by Danny Mefford. The beloved musical won two Tony Awards during its 2005 Broadway run, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a musical for Dan Fogler as William Barfée, and Best Book of a Musical for Sheinkin.
It tells the story of six unique and impassioned contestants as they vie for the crown at the Putnam County spelling bee. They spell their way through vexing vocabulary, personal stories, and a bit of audience participation. This production marks the show’s return to New York for its 20th anniversary.
The creative team will feature Scenic Design by Teresa L. Williams, Costume Design by Emily Rebholz, Lighting Design by David Weiner, and Sound Design by Haley Parcher. The Music Supervisor is Carmel Dean, and the Music Director is Elizabeth Doran. Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting, General Management is by 321 Theatrical Management, and the Production Stage Manager is Rachel Zucker.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee begins performances at New World Stages on West 50th Street in New York City on Nov. 7. For tickets and more information, visit here.
