Nina White, Fernell Hogan to join 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' Off-Broadway cast

Both Kimberly Akimbo alums, White returns to Spelling Bee after performing in the show in D.C., and Hogan newly joins the cast at New World Stages.

Summary

• Nina White and Fernell Hogan will join the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway
• White succeeds Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky beginning August 10
• Hogan plays Leaf Coneybear from June 24 to July 22 during Justin Cooley's leave of absence

We've got new C-A-S-T-I-N-G! Nina White and Fernell Hogan will join the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off Broadway this summer.

Starting August 10, White succeeds Jasmine Amy Rogers in the role of Olive Ostrovsky, which she originated in the pre-NYC run of this Spelling Bee revival at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center in 2024. As previously announced, Rogers will depart the show on August 9 and is currently on a leave of absence from the show through July 9.

Current cast member Justin Cooley will also take a leave of absence from the role of Leaf Coneybear from June 24 to July 22. Hogan will perform the role during that time and also joins the company as an understudy. Hogan, Cooley, and White are all alums of the Tony-winning Best Musical Kimberly Akimbo.

The current Spelling Bee cast also includes Jon Cryer as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti through August 2, Autumn Best as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (through June 22, with Laura Marano joining June 24), Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, and Kevin McHale as William Barfée.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers on a spelling contest featuring six quirky students and run by three equally quirky adults. The 20th-anniversary revival of the musical at New World Stages received widespread critical acclaim and 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: Nina White and Fernell Hogan. (Photos courtesy of production)