Lilli Cooper and Jason Kravitz Round Out SPELLING BEE Revival at New World Stages

The final spellers have entered the bee! Rounding out the all-star cast of the Off-Broadway revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti and Jason Kravitz as Vice Principal Douglas Panch.

Cooper and Kravitz are joined by the previously announced Kevin McHale as William Barfée, Tony Award nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky, Tony Award nominee Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Autumn Best as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Theatrely 31 alum Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, and Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney.

Featuring a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin and a vibrant score by Tony Award winner William Finn, this new production of the musical is directed & choreographed by Danny Mefford. Previews begin on Nov. 7, 2025, with opening night set for Nov. 17 for a 14-week, limited engagement through Feb. 15 at New World Stages. 

The new production of Spelling Bee 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. 

Spelling Bee was first developed at Barrington Stage Company and debuted Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in 2005. It earned widespread critical acclaim, transferring immediately to Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre. The production won two Tony Awards and ran for nearly three years, cementing itself in the musical theatre canon. 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs at New World Stages on West 50th Street in New York City from Nov. 7 to Feb. 15, 2026. For tickets and more information, visit here.