NEED TO KNOW
Jon Cryer has booked his first New York City stage role in 15 years
The Two and a Half Men actor is joining the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee beginning May 11
He’ll play Vice Principal Douglas Panch, which Jason Kravits has played since the show’s opening in November 2025
Jon Cryer is returning to his roots.
The Two and a Half Men alum, 60, is heading back to the stage for a new role in the Off-Broadway production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Beginning May 11, Cryer will step into the role of Vice Principal Douglas Panch — a spelling bee co-moderator who “clings to procedure and order even as the competition around him descends into delightful chaos” — replacing Jason Kravits, who’s portrayed the character since the show’s opening in November 2025. Kravits is departing the production due to other professional commitments, and will play his final performance in the show on May 10.
Directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford (Kimberly Akimbo, Dear Evan Hansen), Spelling Bee was initially slated for a limited 14-week engagement at New World Stages in New York City, to conclude on Feb. 15. However, the run was then extended through April 12, and secured a third extension through Sept. 6.
It’s currently up for two 2026 Lucille Lortel Awards, including Best Revival and Best Ensemble. Winners for the honor, which recognizes the best of Off-Broadway theatre, will be announced on Sunday, May 3.
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This is the first time Cryer has booked a stage role in 15 years. His last foray into theater was in 2011 opposite Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert and Patti LuPone in the New York Philharmonic’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at Lincoln Center.
Cryer actually started his career on stage, making his Broadway debut in Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy in 1982. Two years later, in 1984, he joined the original production of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs.
Of course, Cryer is widely known for film and television, such as his Emmy-winning turn on Two and a Half Men and as Duckie in the 1986 classic Pretty in Pink.
Kevin McHale (center) and the Off-Broadway cast of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’Credit: Joan Marcus
In Spelling Bee, Cryer will star opposite Glee alum Kevin McHale,who plays scene-stealing speller William Barfée. Jasmine Amy Rogers, a standout as Betty Boop in Broadway’s Boop, portrays shy spelling bee newcomer Olive Ostrovsky, while Philippe Arroyo, recognized for originating François in Broadway’s & Juliet, portrays Boy Scout Chip Tolentino.
Merrily We Roll Along’s Leana Rae Concepcion plays Marcy Park, a self-described perfectionist speller, and Autumn Best (of Netflix’s Woman of the Hour) takes on the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre.
Rounding out the cast are Lilli Cooper and Matt Manuel, starring as Spelling Bee moderatorRona Lisa Peretti and comfort counselor Mitch Mahoney, respectively.
Spelling Bee is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Originally developed at Barrington Stage Company and based on an original play by The Farm, Spelling Bee premiered Off-Broadway in 2005 at Second Stage Theater. The production — which starred Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Dan Fogler (among others) — quickly transferred to Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre, where it ran for nearly three years and won two Tony Awards, including one for Rachel Sheinkin’s book.
With a vibrant score by the late William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain), the musical follows six precocious pre-teens (played by adults) as they compete for the coveted title of county spelling champ. Along the way, hilarious and touching personal stories unfold (aided by a healthy dose of audience participation).
Tickets for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeare on sale now.
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