Laura Marano to Join Cast of Off-Broadway’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

Laura Marano will make her New York stage debut this month when she joins the cast of the Off-Broadway revival of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at New World Stages.

The actor and singer, known for her roles in “Austin & Ally” and “Gilmore Girls,” will begin performances as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre on June 24. She succeeds Autumn Best, whose final performance in the role is scheduled for June 22.

Marano joins the production as it continues its extended Off-Broadway run. The revival, which celebrates the musical’s 20th anniversary, is currently scheduled to play through September 6. Directed by Danny Mefford, the production opened in November 2025.

The cast also includes Jon Cryer as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear, Kevin McHale as William Barfée, Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky and Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney.

McHale, Arroyo and Concepcion are reprising their roles from the production’s earlier engagement at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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The creative team includes costume designer Emily Rebholz, lighting designer David Weiner and sound designer Haley Parcher, all of whom return from the Kennedy Center production. Scenic design is by Teresa L. Williams. Carmel Dean serves as music supervisor, with Elizabeth Doran as music director. Rachel Zucker is the production stage manager, and 321 Theatrical Management serves as general manager.

Featuring a book by Rachel Sheinkin, adapted from a play by Rebecca Feldman, and music and lyrics by William Finn, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows a group of middle school students competing in a spelling competition. The musical is also known for incorporating audience participation into each performance.

The revival is produced by Barbara Whitman, Aaron Glick and Timothy Bloom, with co-producers James L. Nederlander, Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Debra Martin Chase, Rachel Sussman, Patrick Catullo and Ryan Solomon. The production is presented by special arrangement with David Stone.

For more information and additional details, theatergoers can visit spellingbeenyc.com.