Kevin McHale Brings Glee Spirit to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Off Broadway

Kevin McHale stepped onto the stage at New World Stages for the official opening of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and, in true Glee fashion, he was immediately surrounded by musical theater energy. With several former castmates making theatrical debuts or returns at the same moment, the night felt like a reunion happening across the entire city.

He could not help laughing at the timing. Lea Michele was opening Chess the same night, Alex Newell began starring in Chicago the next day, Jonathan Groff is delighting audiences just across town in Just In Time, and Darren Criss is back onstage as well in Maybe Happy Ending. Fans have noticed the overlap, but McHale said the industry connection makes complete sense. The theater community, in his words, always understood exactly what Glee was doing which makes this homecoming feel natural.

Reflecting on his years in the series, McHale said he was surrounded by some of the most talented performers he had ever met and it does not surprise him that audiences and theaters want those performers in new shows. He is eager to see what all of them are working on and says the energy reminds him how lucky he is to be welcomed by theater fans so warmly again.

When asked which show he would want the entire Glee family to perform together, McHale joked that Spelling Bee itself would actually work perfectly. A group of performers seated, stepping forward to sing, then returning to the ensemble format feels very familiar to him.

With wit, honesty, and a clear affection for musical theater, McHale’s opening night celebrated both a personal return and a wider theatrical moment for the Glee generation. And if Spelling Bee looks a little more gleeful this season, that feels completely fitting. For more information on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee visit SpellingBeeNYC.com.