The actor who created the character in The Farm's C-R E-P-U-S-C U-L-E will be replaced on Broadway by newcomer Josh Gad, who assumes the role Jan. 31, according to production spokesperson.

The new William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin and Rebecca Feldman musical began previews April 15 and opened May 2. James Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) directs the spellbinding showdown with the same cast from its earlier Second Stage Off-Broadway run.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee pits 10 contestants (six actors, four audience members) against each other in a battle for the championship of the local spelling competition.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earned six Tony Award nominations including Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler) and Featured Actress (Celia Keenan-Bolger) as well as for the top prize of Best Musical. Fogler and book writer Sheinkin took home awards for their work.

The musical recouped its initial investment of $3.5 million 18 weeks after opening on Broadway.

A San Francisco run of the musical at The Post Street Theatre (starting Feb. 14) precedes a Chicago sit-down production and a national tour beginning in the fall, according to a production spokesperson.

For more information, visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com.