Around this time of year, with visitors planning trips to New York City, a frequently asked question is: “What show should we go see?” It’s a tough one, especially if asked for a family or group of different ages and interests. Finally, this year, one can heartily recommend a demographic-conquering winner: the joyously executed, sparkling revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The musical, centered around a regional spelling competition for teenagers—with exquisitely funny music and lyrics (by William Finn) and book (by Rachel Sheinkin)—was originally directed on Broadway in 2005 by James Lapine, winning Tonys for Best Book and Best Featured Actor (for Dan Fogler).

That engagement followed a similarly awards-strewn, critically acclaimed run off-Broadway. Such luminaries

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