By Jennifer Mustoe
Full disclosure: I have never watched a full episode of the SpongeBob Square Pants cartoon TV show, and when I told my friends and fellow reviewers I was seeing SpongeBob the Musical at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, I slightly rolled my eyes. Even though I’d read that the Broadway musical had gotten great reviews, I was not just skeptical, I was condescending. Boy oh boy, was I wrong. I freely admit it. To SpongeBob and all his Bikini Bottom friends, I am remarkably sorry. My reviewing team consisted of me, SpongeBob neophyte; my daughter-in-law Hannah Mustoe, who has watched the show and told me when to laugh and which bits of the story were straight from the TV script; and my five-year-old granddaughter Lucy, who is the ultimate judge of what works for kids. Lucy, too, hasn’t watched the show much, though she’s watched it nonstop ever since she woke up this morning. She has some catching up to do.
If you’ve been to the lovely and family-friendly SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, you’ll know that you can see the set as you sit down to wait for “curtain.” Scenic Designer Shawn Herrera does his usual brilliant job, the set is bedecked with kelp, a schwoopy slide (I won’t tell you the gag related to it, but it’s super funny), pool noodles as sea plants, and lots and lots and lots of color. In fact, this is one of the most colorful shows I’ve seen. We were dazzled.
As we found our seats, we were greeted by Patchy the Pirate, played by the affable and believable Samuel Wright. Approachable and friendly, Wright brings the first glint of hey, we’re in for something wildly enjoyable. Argh, Matey. Good job. Patchy has several bits in the show, all funny, and an ad lib line (no spoilers, readers) that is hilarious.
The star of the show is, of course, SpongeBob Square Pants, with Mitchell Boberg giving a truly delightful performance. (I kept turning to Hannah and saying, “He is adorable!”) From his winning smile, his top-notch voice, and charmingly energetic dancing, he is all we could wish for as the iconic sponge. Garbed in a yellow shirt, red tie, and brown trousers, does he look like a sponge? No. Does it matter? Not a bit. His faithful sidekick starfish Patrick is just as adorable. Austin Payne, according to Hannah, has the voice, the personality, and the dopey nature as his TV character. (I’ve since watched part of a TV episode and Hannah is right.) Completing the trio is Hailey Bennett Sundwall as Sandy Cheeks, who is a squirrel living in the underwater world of Bikini Bottom(?) Comedic license. Sundwall has an amazing voice, great movement, and her enthusiasm flows in every scene.
Mr. Eugene Krabs (Bryson Smellie) is a money-hungry crab, who cares more for his growing wealth than his own adopted daughter, Pearl (Keely Conrad) swathed in a stunning pink ensemble, spunky wedgy pink sneakers, and a bright pink wig. Pearl is a whale, though she looks nothing like one. Again, do we care? Nope. SpongeBob works for Krabs as a fry cook, but yearns to be the manager, and Krabs says a big, fat no, which causes our hero heartbreak in a big way. Have we all wanted to be something we know we can do but others have refused to see in us? I have. SpongeBob’s disappointment resonates. Empathy for a cartoon sponge? Who knew this would be a thing? Both Smellie and Conrad sing beautifully and the conflict between foolish father and spurned daughter is authentic. Information about the “loser” Squidward Q. Tentacles is below. He’s a character we can’t ignore, though we may want to? JK See the show to understand why.
The true villains in the show are Sheldon J. Plankton (Jeff Sundwall) and his computer wife Karen Plankton (Amanda King). Right, having never watched the show, I questioned, a computer for a wife? Well, what could be more fitting for a plankton? Both of these actors work well together, displaying a deep and abiding and weird connection. It was easy to be creeped out by these two.
Other principals Rachel Ricks (The Mayor); Perch Perkins/Foley Artist (Mike Ramsey) interestingly staying onstage working a laptop, and occasionally taking a mic to narrate a moment; Mrs. Puff/Dance Captain (Damelly Alderete); Larry the Lobster (Will Baird), who is convincing as weight-lifting bro dude/crustacean and Old Man Jenkins (Camryn Blair); and Gary, SpongeBob’s pet cat (Erin Goulding), whose meowing is great and earned a laugh every time, all bring energy and frivolity to an already riotous cast. And the ensemble? Marvelous.
The story revolves around trouble in Bikini Bottom in the form of the volcano Mount Humongous about to erupt. As the Planktons connive to use this to their advantage, our trio strive to perform a Herculean task to save their world. The citizens of BB at once reject Sandy (she’s a mammal! they cry), but SpongeBob’s upbeat vitality and commitment to good, and Patrick’s loyalty (after the starfish has a brief stint as a guru to a trusting group of squids, and Sandy’s tenacious dedication to science (sound familiar as we’ve struggled with this same issue of doubting science?) *may* save the day.
The dance numbers, of which there are many, are artfully choreographed by Janessa Ramsey, and I can say with complete honesty I’ve never seen better dance moves onstage at the SCERA, and that is saying a lot. The exuberance, technical ability, and sheer fun permeate through the show. The wonderful costumes by Deborah Bowman are just spectacular, filled with color, individual design, and according to Hannah, charmingly identifiable from the cartoon. I must add, Luke Logan as the gripey, mopey (loser) Squidward Q. Tentacles, hilarious in his depression, is excellent in this role. His costume brings Bowman her true masterpiece with his four legs. Ingenious and oh so funny. And a shout out to Lighting Designer Elizabeth Griffiths outdoes herself in SBTM. Sound Designer/Audio Engineer/Master Electrician Chase Elison wears his triple hat famously and everything goes to plan. Finally, Music Director Kelsey Thompson has amassed the best group of singers I’ve seen on this stage, and again, that’s saying a lot.
Chase Ramsey directs his cast with finesse and understanding. SpongeBob the Musical could be considered a light piece, with flair and spectacle and that would suffice and satisfy. But he brings far more to this. In his Director’s Notes he says: This musical hits a little close to home with what has happened the past few years in America. I’ll let you watch in play out in its simple, hilarious, and squeaky way but through the SpongeBobness, there is something bigger….The future and the past are pulling us in two different directions, constantly….But the present is the only time we have actual POWER over.” In this light-hearted musical, we can see the present moment of fun, deviousness, heroism, and true friendship. We can also see, if we give ourselves the chance, the wisdom and depth of a “silly” story about a sponge and his friends. I can say with absolute candor I was wrong! And that I would see this show again, during this run, if I had the chance. I can’t say this enough: just go! Go and enjoy the zany goofiness and think about the messages.
Added bonus: The SCERA has several seating options and feel free to bring dinner to enjoy during the show. And kids love the big hills they can run down during intermission (but not during the performance.) And from what I could tell (and I’m pretty persnickety about this, there are no bugs on the grounds. Or the air.)
SCERA Center for the Arts presents SpongeBob the Musical based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, Book by Kyle Jarrow, Musical Production conceived by Tina Landau.
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 South 400 East, Orem, UT 84097
July 1-16, 2022 (no show on July 2-3 but performance on July 4th) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 8:00 PM
Tickets: Gen Adm: $12 Adult, $10 Child/Senior, Reserved A: $20 Adult, Reserved B: $16 Adult, $14, Child/Senior, Reserved A: $20 Adult, $18 Child/Senior (CHILD AGE 3-11 | SENIOR AGE 65+)
Contact: 801-225-ART
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre Facebook Page
Photo credit: Suzy Oliveira
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