Alex Newell to join 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' Off-Broadway cast

The Tony Award-winning star of Shucked, Chicago, and more Broadway shows will succeed Lilli Cooper in the award-winning revival's cast at New World Stages.

Summary

• Alex Newell will join the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway
• Newell succeeds Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti from August 7
• Newell is best known for Glee and their Tony-winning performance in Shucked on Broadway

Welcome to the B-E-E! Tony Award winner Alex Newell will join the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway for four weeks only starting August 7, replacing current cast member Lilli Cooper in the role of Rona Lisa Peretti. As previously announced, Cooper departs August 2.

Newell is best known for their Tony Award-winning performance in the musical Shucked, with other Broadway credits including Chicago and Once on This Island. They previously rose to fame for playing Unique Adams on Glee.

The current Spelling Bee cast also includes Jon Cryer as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Laura Marano as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky through August 9, Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, Fernell Hogan as Leaf Coneybear (with Justin Cooley returning July 23), and Kevin McHale as William Barfée.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers on a spelling contest featuring six charmingly quirky students and run by three equally odd adults. The 20th-anniversary revival of the musical at New World Stages received widespread critical acclaim and won the 2026 Lucille Lortel, Off-Broadway Alliance, and Dorian Theater awards for Outstanding Revival.

Get The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee tickets now.

Photo credit: Alex Newell. (Photo courtesy of production)