Performances
Theatre Southwest
- 2026 Dec 31 Thursday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 2 Saturday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 3 Sunday 3:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 8 Friday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 9 Saturday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 10 Sunday 3:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 15 Friday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 16 Saturday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 17 Sunday 3:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 22 Friday 8:00 PM
- 2027 Jan 23 Saturday 8:00 PM
Auditions
- 2026 Nov 1 Sunday
- 2026 Nov 2 Monday
What To Know About This Production
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a Tony Award-winning musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. The story centers on six quirky adolescents competing in a local spelling bee at Putnam Valley Middle School, where they navigate the challenges of mid-pubescence while sharing hilarious and poignant personal stories.
The production is distinct for its interactive format, which invites four real audience members to compete on stage alongside the cast. The show features an improvisational pronouncer who provides absurd usage examples for words and includes special "adult night" performances with R-rated ad-libs. It won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler) during its original 2005 Broadway run.
A 20th Anniversary Off-Broadway revival is currently playing at New World Stages in New York City, running through September 2026. The musical has been staged extensively worldwide, including a recent 2024 production in the Philippines and various national tours.
This production will open for Theatre Southwest's New Year's Eve Gala on December 31, 2026, and will have its normal run January 2 - 23, 2027.
Auditions For The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Audition Times
- Nov 1 Sunday 6:00 PM
- Nov 2 Monday 6:00 PM
Audition details are not available
Check back later or contact Sean Shows directly for more information.
Audition Process
Create your free user account on Cast98 then return here to sign up for an audition when the director has opened registration.
There are four steps to the audition form:
- Privacy disclaimers
- Profile information
- Conflict calendar
- Show-specific questions
You'll be able to review, make changes, or cancel your submitted form anytime between now and your audition.
Cast List For The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Available Roles
- William Barfee M, tenor (B4-E2) - William Barfee is the quirky, awkward, and highly intelligent contestant best known for his signature magic foot technique, which he uses to tap out letters while spelling - A self-proclaimed perfectionist and overachiever, William is socially awkward and struggles with minor health issues
- Olive Ostrovsky F, mezzo-soprano (F5-B3) - Olive Ostrovsky is the sweet, shy, and determined young contestant who often serves as the emotional heart of the bee - Intelligent and earnest, Olive approaches the competition with both hope and anxiety, navigating the pressures of a failing family dynamic
- Marcy Park F, mezzo-soprano (E5-C4) - Marcy Park is the highly accomplished, perfectionist contestant who brings discipline, precision, and a competitive edge to the bee - She is intelligent, poised, and hyper-organized, often presenting herself as calm and collected under pressure - Needs to be able to showcase different talents (eg, gymnastics, acrobatics, musical instruments, juggling, etc)
- Charlito Chip Tolentino M, tenor (B4-C3) - Charlito Chip Tolentino is the charming, charismatic, and flirtatious contestant at the spelling bee - Confident and outgoing, Chip often relies on his wit, good looks, and smooth-talking personality to navigate the competition, distinguishing himself from his more awkward rivals - Hits puberty at the worst moment
- Logainne Schwartzy Schwartzandgrubenierre F, mezzo-soprano (F5-A3) - Logainne Schwartzy Schwartzandgrubenierre is the fiercely determined and precocious contestant who brings a mix of intensity, ambition, and humor to the bee - Highly competitive, highly articulate, and often portrayed as having a lisp - A prepubescent social warrior with two dads
- Leaf Coneybear M, tenor (A4-A2) - Leaf Coneybear is the quirky, lovable, and somewhat nave contestant at the spelling bee - He is often portrayed as awkward, easily confused, and hilariously literal-minded, which provides much of the shows physical and situational comedy - Despite his eccentricities, he realizes he is smarter than was led to believe by his family
- Vice Principal Douglas Panch M, non-singing - Vice Principal Douglas Panch is the officious, well-meaning, and slightly bumbling host of the spelling bee - He serves as the host, announcer, and mediator of the competition, providing structure and authority while attempting to maintain order - MUST have strong improv skills
- Rona Lisa Peretti F, mezzo-soprano (F5-B3) - Rona Lisa Peretti is the sharp-tongued, cynical, and slightly exasperated adult who serves as the official pronouncer and coordinator of the spelling bee - She acts as the arbiter of rules and pronunciation, delivering the words with precise diction and a dry, often acerbic way - MUST have strong improv skills
- Mitch Mahoney M or F, tenor (A4-E3) - A former convict, Mitch Mahoney is serving his community service sentence by being the Official Comfort Counselor of the bee - When a student is eliminated, Mitch gives them a juice box and leads them offstage, offering his best attempt at an encouraging talk - Can be played by M or F
- Jesus Christ M, tenor (D4-G2) - THE Jesus Christ - He appears to Marcy when she whines about her easy word - He teaches Marcy to listen to her heart and not follow the dictates of other people - Usually played by the actor who plays Chip
- Olives Dad M, tenor (E4-D3) - A dream version of Olives dad who appears to Olive during the competition - Usually played by the actor who plays Mitch
- Olives Mom F, mezzo-soprano (E5-D4) - A dream version of Olives mom (who is actually at an ashram in India) that appears to Olive - Usually played by the actor who plays Rona
- Carl Dad M, tenor (D4-G2) - One of Logainnes dads, Carl is her primary trainer - He believes in Logainne, but puts extensive pressure on her to succeed - Usually played by the actor who plays Leaf
- Dan Dad M, tenor (D4-G2) - One of Logainnes dads, Dan is more laid back and supportive than Carl - Usually played by the actor who plays Mitch
- Ensemble MF, all ranges - The ensemble play multiple small roles, family members, and the eliminated spellers during the goodbye songs - Can be comprised of in-place cast or extra roles
Cast
The cast list is not yet posted
Check back later or contact Sean Shows directly for more information.
Crew
The cast list is not yet posted
Check back later or contact Sean Shows directly for more information.