“Spelling Bee is the perfect antidote to these dreary anxiety-ridden times, and it’s worth settling down for a long, laughter-induced spell.”
Off-BwayMusicalRevival
OFF-BROADWAYMUSICALREVIVALNOW PLAYING
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
New World Stages · 1h 45m · Opened Nov 17, 2025 · Closes Oct 11, 2026
Critics' Take
Critics hail this 20th-anniversary revival as joyous, hilarious, and letter-perfect, with phenomenal performances and all the charm of the original. A warm, bittersweet hug that feels like the gift we needed.
Our Review
Spelling Bee Had No Business Being This Fun While I Had Food Poisoning
84→
Critic Scorecard
10 reviewsSort:
“Twenty years later, this charming Off-Broadway revival proves Spelling Bee‘s blend of silly wordplay and surprising heart remains unbeatable.”
“This production understands the delicate balance of comedy and sincerity that makes Spelling Bee work, and it nails it.”
“Lighter than air and grounded in ache, it’s the emotional peak of the show, and very possibly of this fall season.”
“Off Broadway at New World Stages, all the elements have stacked up splendidly in a revival of the show that arrives 20 years after the Broadway premiere and captures every drop of the original charm.”
Audience Scorecard
3.1K audience reviews
A
Loving It
Awards Scorecard
42
Honored
Lortel Award:1 winDrama Desk:3 nomsDrama League:3 nomsOuter Critics:2 noms
Showtimes
This Week(Aug 3–9)
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee?
Critics hail this 20th-anniversary revival as joyous, hilarious, and letter-perfect, with phenomenal performances and all the charm of the original. A warm, bittersweet hug that feels like the gift we needed. (CriticScore 91/100 from 10 reviews.)
Is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee worth seeing?
Absolutely — The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is one of the season's most acclaimed shows, earning a rare 91/100 from 10 critics. Don't miss it.
What is the CriticScore for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee?
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has a CriticScore of 91/100 based on 10 professional reviews. This is considered a "Critical Gold" show.
Is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee still running Off-Broadway?
Yes, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is currently playing at New World Stages Off-Broadway. It is scheduled to close on October 11, 2026.
Where is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee playing Off-Broadway?
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is playing at New World Stages.
How long is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee?
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.
Is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee appropriate for children?
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is recommended for Ages 14+.
Cast
Cast information is not yet available for this production.
Creative Team
- Rachel SheinkinBook
- William FinnMusic & Lyrics
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 91/100 (10 reviews)
- Status
- Now Playing
- Opened
- Nov 17, 2025
- Closes
- Oct 11, 2026
- Running
- 9 months Off-Broadway
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Age
- Ages 14+
- Theater
- New World Stages
- Synopsis
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a charming and witty musical about adolescent students competing to win a local spelling competition while coping with teenage issues along the way.
- Data Last Updated
- August 8, 2026
