Take it from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”’s use of the word “Election” in a sentence: “One way to deal with the stress of the upcoming election is to watch a musical comedy.” With music by two-time Tony winner William Finn, a book by Tony winner Rachel Sheinkin, and direction and choreography by Danny Mefford, the fun begins the moment a voice instructs audience members to take their “S-E-A-T A-S-A-P.”
The cast and creative team behind this production have crafted an experience that showcases their incredible talent and creativity.
Set in a school gymnasium with vibrant blue and yellow decor, the scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III creates a nostalgic yet comedic atmosphere. Before a standing pledge of allegiance, the cast—including “Glee” favorites Kevin McHale (William Barfée) and Noah Galvin (Leaf Coneybear)—enters to roaring applause, setting a high-energy tone. Throughout the evening, six middle schoolers reveal their unique personalities and mid-pubescent struggles as they step up to the microphone for their word, making the spelling bee both a competition and a musical filled with layers of humor and depth.
A key part of the show’s charm is its witty commentary. Outrageous definitions, such as “Pineapple: A safe word used by adults engaging in consensual sex,” keep the audience laughing, alongside the cleverly timed phonetics of “A Coochie” and “Abbagoochie.” The humor extends to America’s sweetheart, Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre (Beanie Feldstein), the daughter of two gay men, who hilariously recalls interactions with “Carl Dad” and delivers pointed social commentary on Drag Brunch being considered a threat to society: “you know what’s a threat to society? Project 2025.”
The creative brilliance of the production shines in its character portrayals. Each speller brings their own quirks and life lessons to the bee. Marcy Park (Leana Rae Concepcion), a student struggling with perfectionism, has a life-altering moment when Jesus appears, helping her realize that she doesn’t have to excel at everything—a relatable lesson about embracing imperfections. Meanwhile, last year’s champion, Chip Tolentino (Philippe Arroyo), humorously sings his song, “Chip’s Lament,” after being eliminated, blaming his body for his downfall.
Heartfelt moments stand out, particularly Olive Ostrovsky’s (Nina White) rendition of “The I Love You Song,” which explores deeper themes like parental absence, alongside Rona Lisa Peretti (Bonnie Milligan) and Mitch Mahoney (Alex Joseph Grayson).
Audience participation also elevates the show’s energy. Those who signed up before the performance are invited on stage, joining the spelling bee’s chaos. In this production, it works well. A young speller from the audience nails a difficult word, causing an eruption of applause.
At its core, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is more than just a comedy. It highlights how life experiences shape our adult choices, while delivering a strong mix of humor, heart, and sharp wit. The cast and creative team behind this production have crafted an experience that showcases their incredible talent and creativity.
Running Time: One hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” runs through October 20, 2024, at 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20566. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
A limited number of $49 Rush tickets will be available for every performance at the Kennedy Center Box Office the day of the performance. Rush tickets become available at 3 p.m. for evening performances, 10 a.m. for Saturday matinees, and noon for Sunday matinees. Tickets are subject to availability and have no guaranteed location. 1 ticket max per person. Available to purchase in person only. Void if resold.
