25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee PREVIEWS (Off-Broadway, New World Stages) — Page 2

EDSOSLO858 said: "Jasmine is back tonight."

Flu must be sweeping through Spelling Bee. Cecilia Snow made her Rona debut tonight with Brandon Louis Armstrong debuting as William Barfee. Emily Rudolph(Olive) & Jahbril Cook(Chip) were on both shows yesterday.

We also saw Brandon and Cecilia and thought they were wonderful. 4 of us had seen it in previews and we found Brandon and Cecilia stronger and more enjoyable - equally if not more talented. Excellent understudies who should be leading the show. The book of this musical still underwhelms in the end but it's a lovely little night out and sings much better in its compact off-Broadway space.

On a related note, any whisperings yet about this extending beyond April 12?

I hope they do, I need to see this.

veronicamae said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "sarcadam88 said: "On a related note, any whisperings yet about this extending beyond April 12?"

No."

You say this with such confidence.

"

No whispers of an extension at this point. I didn’t say it wouldn’t extend any further.

That's great, I hope the entire cast stays on.

I was there last Saturday night and it was full

C4b2a3b said: "Was there for today's Sunday matinee. A good number of open seats sadly.

Was happy to find that the entire cast was in. No celebrity speller, which I didn't mind.

First production I've seen, though familiar with the OBC.This was amazing. The I Love You Song was so moving and beautifully sung."

No surprise with the open seats — freezing cold weekend + Super Bowl Sunday + Olympics.

Dan6 said: "My apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere, but does anyone know how/when they select the audience spellers for each performance? Is it something one can volunteer for?"


You can! You can sign up before the show. However, you have to get there early to do it- when I attended back in December, the signups had already closed at ten minutes to curtain. The signup table was near the merch to the right of the entrance to the theater.

Updated On: 2/20/26 at 07:57 PM

You sign up prior to the show and they select based on the questionnaire you fill out.

Merkin2 said: "It’s a rigged game anyway. When I saw it, the last audience member still in got the word right, and then they made him go again because they needed to knock him off in that moment in the show"

It's not rigged, you blubbering idiot!!

Curious if anybody was at the show tonight. I went last week and Emily N. Rudolph was on for Olive... I was disappointed not to see Rogers but thought Rudolph was honestly quite astounding and was gobsmacked by her performance. Definitely one to watch.

I saw that tonight she made her debut as Marcy. I wish I wasn't half across the country because I would have made a return trip to see that... anybody see it?

Loved this production, I love the show, it's fun, clever and heartfelting.

The cast is amazing but Jasmine was out of this world, couldn't believe that was the same actress that did ''Boop'' and her voice felt... especial, you know?

My friend was a speller, he loved it!