The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee poster

Off-Broadway · New World Stages

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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Open run · 1 hr 50 min, no intermission

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Born in the City rating

4/5

Rush

Telecharge Rush

Run time

1 hr 50 min, no intermission

Opened

November 17, 2025

Status

Open run

Everything you need

The Practical Details

Lotteries & Rush

Telecharge RushDigital Rush

$49 digital rush via rush.telecharge.com, 11am day of performance. May not be available for all performances.

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The Show

Run time

1 hr 50 min, no intermission

Opened

November 17, 2025

Status

Open run

Official site

Visit site →

Our take

4/5 · Read review →

Starring

Kevin McHale, Jon Cryer

The Theatre

Venue

New World Stages

Address

340 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019

Seating chart

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Where to Buy Tickets

Full price

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About the show

The Lowdown

Six young spellers — each more neurotic and hilarious than the last — compete for spelling glory in a church gymnasium in Putnam County, where moderated by adult officials who are barely keeping it together. The show weaves audience participation, confessional humor, and surprisingly touching moments into one of Off-Broadway’s most joyful revivals in recent memory.

With Kevin McHale (Glee) and Lilli Cooper (Tootsie) leading the cast, the show has become the hot ticket of the season — extending twice and drawing celebrity guest spellers including Daniel Radcliffe and Jon Cryer.

Original book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn, directed by Danny Mefford.

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The headline feature

Reviews

Born in the City

Our verdict

The beloved spelling-bee musical gets a 20th-anniversary Off-Broadway revival that critics called pure joy — funnier and a touch darker than it was in 2005. Jon Cryer and Kevin McHale headline a charming cast, the audience-volunteer bit still kills, and the whole thing is a tender, bittersweet delight. A near-perfect 96% audience score. Lovely, low-key, and a great cheap night out.

Critics said: Read the NY Theatre Guide review →

Reader Lottery Reports

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