SpongeBob Squarepants

Reviewed: December 14, 2017
 

SpongeBob Squarepants is playing at the Place Theatre located 1564 Broadway. It runs two hours twenty minutes with one intermission. The musical is open ended.

The musical premiere at the Oriental Theatre located in Chicago on June 7, 2016. It closed on July 10, 2016. It is based on the Nickelodeon series.

Christopher Gattelli is the choreographer. He was nominated for three Tony Awards for The King and I (2015), Newsies (2012) and South Pacific (2008).

David Zinn is the costume designer. He was nominated for three Tony Awards for A Doll’s House Part 2 (2017), Airline Highway (2015) and In the Next Room (2010).

SpongeBob Squarepants (Ethan Slater) works as a fry cook at Krusty Krab. His boss is Eugen Krabs (Brian Ray Norris). He is in competition with Sheldon Plankton (Wesley Taylor) for having the best burgers.

SpongeBob’s best friend is Patrick Starr (Danny Skinner). When everyone tell’s him he’ll be nothing Patrick cheers him up.

The volcano erupts and they have 48 hours before it destroys Bikini Bottom on the floor in the Pacific Ocean.

Perch Perkin (Kelvin Moon Loh) is the TV announcer that gives updates on what is going on.

The Mayor (Gaelen Gilliland) agrees to have rock concert to raise money for the town.

Sheldon along with his wife Karen the computer (Stephanie Hsu) come up with a machine they going to shot into the volcano to cause it to erupt.

Sandy Cheeks (Lilli Cooper) comes up with a machine she thinks will stop the eruption. She asks SpongeBob and Patrick for their help.

Squidward Q. Tentacles (Gavin Lee) want to perform at the concert. He said his mother predicted he would be famous.

Eugene’s daughter Pearl (Jai’Len Christine Li Josey) wants to sing, not to work in her father’s restaurant. She hopes to leave with the rock group that is performing at the concert.

This is the basis for the musical.

It is a delightful, uplifting, funny musical.

Before the show opens there is Patch the Pirate (Jon Rua) near the front of the stage on the left side with a sign SpongeBob Fan Club. He goes on stage and gets escorted off. Before act two he comes back on stage with a whole routine which is hysterical.

The set and costumes done by David Zinn were wonderful. Christopher Gattelli choreography was the best he has done so far. Ethan Slater and Gavin Lee moves were breathtaking. Especially Gavin has 4 legs. He was so graceful.

There is a large cast, everyone shines. Some do several roles. Etan Slater and Gavin Lee were outstanding. Jai’Len Christine Li Josey has one powerful voice. I hope to see her on Broadway more.

I knew nothing about SpongeBob. I was reluctant to go see the show. I’m glad I did and so will you.

The best was hearing the children’s delight.

Oh, just to let you know SpongeBob has a pet snail that meows.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to photos. Click on photos for this and other shows.