Laura Marano to make stage debut in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

The star of Disney Channel's Austin & Ally will replace original cast member Autumn Best in the award-winning Off-Broadway musical revival later this month.

Summary

• Austin & Ally star Laura Marano will make her stage debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway at New World Stages starting June 24
• She will play Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre
• Original cast member Autumn Best departs June 22

How do you spell M-A-R-A-N-O? Laura Marano, best known for her breakout role on Disney Channel's Austin & Ally, will make her stage debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway starting June 24.

She will adopt the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre from original cast member Autumn Best, who departs the show June 22 for a yet-unannounced project. Marano joins continuing cast members Jon Cryer as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti, Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky, Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear, and Kevin McHale as William Barfée.

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