NTPA REP Presents The SpongeBob Musical
The SpongeBob Musical
Directed by Daniel Dean Miranda
My thoughts on The SpongeBob Musical at NTPA Rep or…Glee Under the Sea
North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Company presents
The SpongeBob Musical
Directed by Daniel Dean Miranda
Music Directed by Sophia Garcia
Choreography by Leah Flores
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sarah Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I.
And Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton
Additional Music by Tom Kitt
My thoughts on The SpongeBob Musical at NTPA Rep or…Pure Glee Under The Sea
Having only recently lost my SpongeBob virginity just a week or so ago at the wonderful production by Outcry, I was dubious if this second production in my summer of SpongeBob could meet my expectations.
I shouldn’t have worried as this production is a complete joy from first note to final bow. Director Daniel Dean Miranda has made this SpongeBob a fast paced, in your face, laugh riot filled with beautiful foot stomping music and sweet ballads led by Music Director Sophia Garcia. And once again, Choreographer Leah Flores proves that she can take on any challenge from tap to pop and lock. The set by Jo Alamares anchors us perfectly under the sea with shades of blue and constantly moving, shiny, wave-like streamers. Melanie Glickler’s costumes are fun, creative, and character defining, and Max Fetter’s lighting keeps everything in focus.
But it’s the perfect casting that makes this trip to Bikini Bottom an unforgettable deep-sea dive. It takes quite a bit of great work for an ensemble to blow me away, but this cast constantly wowed me with their singing, dancing, and comic timing. Connor Bailey, as SpongeBob, is quite simply a marvel. He’s a terrific singer/actor and you’d swear his body is made of rubber as his SpongeBob gets into positions that would challenge a seasoned contortionist. Bailey gets laughs just walking across the stage and proves over and over that he is not a “simple sponge.” It’s hard not to fall in love with Noelle Saul as Sandy the Squirrel. Saul has an abundance of charm, strong vocals, sharp comedy skills, and makes the Texas born squirrel simultaneously strong and vulnerable. AJ DePetris brings the hilarious, slightly dim Patrick Star, SpongeBob’s best friend, to glorious life. DePetris, who also has quite a voice, captures all the character’s goofiness and misplaced self-confidence and makes Patrick a most endearing starfish. The eternal pessimist Squidward Tentacles is played to the four-legged hilt by Nicole Kimbrell. Kimbrell’s big tap dance number “I’m Not a Loser” is a highlight of the show. I admired Caleb Dean and Jessica Vanek as Plankton and his computer wife Karen. They are quite the comedy duo and reminiscent of Boris and Natasha of “Rocky and Bullwinkle” fame. Dean and Vanek got laughs whenever they appeared. Johnathan Seiders is appropriately gruff and has a great crab walk as the mercenary Eugene Crabs, who ignores his daughter Pearl, played by the incredible Fernanda Schoening Velez, whose soaring voice always commands attention. Benjamin Sims is a standout as the news reporter Perch Perkins. Sims, who also has a dynamite voice, brings much humor to the role. Titan Carlman as Patchy the Pirate, was clearly an audience favorite and brought lots of fun arrrghs to the evening. The ensemble filled with top notch performers includes Austin Hines, Elliot Koch, Dalton Walker, Cammi Collins, Leah Flores, Bailey Lund, Ash Christine, Devin Johnson, and Bianca Bustamente Hall.
The SpongeBob Musical is the good time that musical theater is all about. It’s that wonderfully transportive thing that happens when a cast is well directed and completely gels and you forget everything else for two hours and can’t wait to jump to your feet to show your appreciation. The SpongeBob Musical at NTPA Rep is a remarkable trip under the sea and scuba gear is completely optional.
