Jon Cryer Returning to the Stage in Off-Broadway's Spelling Bee Revival

Emmy winner Jon Cryer will return to the stage in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, running at New World Stages.

Cryer takes on the role of Vice Principal Douglas Panch, replacing Jason Kravits, who departs on May 10. Cryer’s first performance is May 11.

Although widely known for film and television such as Two and a Half Men and Pretty in Pink, Cryer started his career on Broadway in Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy. He appeared in Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs, the Los Angeles premiere of Howard Korder’s Boys’ Life, the New York Premiere of Jules Feiffer’s Carnal Knowledge and the London, New York, and Los Angeles productions of David Baird’s 900 Oneonta. His most recent stage appearance was opposite Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert and Patti Lupone in Stephen Sondheim’s Company at Lincoln Center.

Cryer joins Kevin McHale as William Barfée, Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky, Justin Cooley as Leaf Coneybear, Philippe Arroyo as Chip Tolentino, Autumn Best as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Leana Rae Concepcion as Marcy Park, Lilli Cooper as Rona Lisa Peretti, and Matt Manuel as Mitch Mahoney. Rounding out the cast as understudies are Brandon L. Armstrong, Jahbril Cook, DeMarius Copes, Vanessa Magula, Emily Nicole Rudolph, and Cecilia Snow.

Featuring a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin and a score by William Finn, this new production of the musical is directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford. Previews began on November 7, 2025, and opening night was celebrated on November 17, 2025.