Similar to the famous new England play, “Our Town”, SpongeBob The Musical touches on the redeeming aspects of the human experience in a small-town setting. Viewers may have to adopt suspension of disbelief (last I checked, a crab cannot possibly father a whale, and yet!), but that’s a small price to pay. The acting, singing, stage design, and choreography carry the production through its seventy minutes to deliver an energetic performance.
SpongeBob is Everyman. The play is largely a tale of his realization that he is so much more than what people see. Set in the fictional underwater town of Bikini Bottom, the play offers the audience snapshots of the inner workings of a typical Anywhere, USA town, except underwater. Bikini Bottom’s days are usually uneventful, until a looming natural disaster threatens the town. The community faces two choices: come together and prevail, or disagree and succumb to disaster.
SpongeBob The Musical at Stage284 is different because it offers an additional creative lens unique to this production; a focus on Environmental sustainability and what the ocean floor really might look like now, even in Bikini Bottom.
Noël Cody Mumford, Director of the Youth Company said, “we didn’t want to ignore the growing concern for our environment and this seemed like an opportunity to shine a light on this important cause. It’s always been a goal of ours to produce more sustainable sets. If you are a frequent 284 audience member, our goal is to create a new space every time you see a show.”
“You wouldn’t know that reusing pieces is at the top of mind for us because we like to create a new world each time you enter the theater but it is! Not just from a budgeting standpoint but from an environmental standpoint. We are always using sustainable set pieces, but this time we are literally using trash as our treasure and our inspiration.” said Katie Clarke-Robertson, Co-Director of the Rising Stars Company.
The musical opens with an introduction by a larger-than-life French Narrator, who sets the scene. We are welcomed into their world with songs both endearing and cleverly written. Throughout the play, the audience watches as Bikini Bottom reacts to the pending volcanic eruption of nearby Mt. Humongous. The town folks’ reactions bring different dynamics to light. Friendships are challenged, the community’s strength is put to the test, and metaphors for real life abound.
The actors playing SpongeBob, are not only set to deliver a masterclass in acting but also showcase impeccable talent, performing with near flawless poise and captivating panache. The actors portraying Patrick Star embody his simple yet lovable character with flair. Their performance as SpongeBob’s unwavering BFF is equal measures cute, inspiring and hopeful. Patrick’s ‘devoted sardines’ provide many laughs.
Mr. Krabs delivers a hilarious dose of cynicism and material comedy, while his nemesis Plankton and trusty sidekick/wife Karen add a visceral diabolical sense of pending doom. Pearl is Mr. Krabs’ rebellious teen daughter who just wants to have fun and rock out with her favorite band, The Electric Skates.
Squidward’s performance will keep the audience laughing as the character battles bullies and his own negative self-talk. His vulnerable song solos are impressively carried.
Sandy the Squirrel, the lone mammal in Bikini Bottom, delivers a key message to SpongeBob: “Don’t give up or give in.” It’s a reminder we all need.
The stage design’s ingenuity and clever material use are impressive, a frequent feat of Stage284’s staff. Who knew one could do so much with soda cans, straws, pool noodles, rejected cardboard boxes, tissue paper, spare tires and more! Stage 284’s adaptation is nothing short of energetic and endearing.
The musical runs for three weeks starting with the Youth Company: May 28-June 7, then the Rising Stars take to the stage June 10-14.
