The Firehouse Theatre Presents The SpongeBob Musical
The SpongeBob Musical
Directed by Matthew Silar
My thoughts on The SpongeBob Musical or…there’s more than one way to soak a sponge
The Firehouse Theatre presents
The SpongeBob Musical
Directed by Matthew Silar
Music Directed by Bryce Biffle
Choreography by Christina Kudlicki Hoth
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
This was the third production in my summer of SpongeBob, and it was by far my most challenging. I had to make a second visit before writing this review, as I was not totally sure I got Director Matthew Silar’s concept.
On my first visit someone sitting beside me said, “This is like a group of frat boys got together and decided to put on a musical.” I laughed at that remark, but on my second visit I decided she was not too far from wrong, and that’s not a bad thing, it’s just a different way of telling a story. I am all about the magic of the theater, and watching characters put their costumes on while on stage takes away that magic and makes me feel more like I’m at a rehearsal than at the finished work and, all the sight gags got in the way of the story for me at that first viewing.
Even on opening night, while I sat there a bit perplexed, I knew that this production had much going for it, especially Wendy Searcy-Woode’s beautiful pastel set which looks like something from a childhood dream, with all those levels and moving parts, and the set looked even more like a great playhouse when bathed in Gabe Coleman’s lighting. I also admired Christina Kudlicki Hoth’s choreography, which the tight ensemble carried out flawlessly. Music Director Bryce Biffle had all the music and vocals polished to perfection and they were amplified expertly by Sound Designer Michael Marbry and Karina Sanchez’s costumes were colorful and fun. I also loved Hilary Evitt Allen as the mayor. Allen is such a pro and first-rate performer that she raises the level of everything in which she appears. Even with all that going for this SpongeBob, and with the audience roaring its approval, I just couldn’t let go and let myself enjoy it totally. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike it, I just couldn’t find my way into it.
After a week of talking to others whose opinions I value, I decided to go back with a fresh outlook and try again. This time I bought into Director Silar’s vision from the get-go and had a wonderful time. Aspects of the production that I did not get on the previous visit, somehow became hilarious. There are so many allusions and gags in this SpongeBob that if you turn away for even a second, you will miss one. I nearly fell out of my seat when I caught the reference to the film “Love Actually.” Silar keeps the action constant and even the ballads in the show get comic treatment. The three leads, Nicholas Haas as SpongeBob, Justin Taylor as Patrick Star, and Kayla Jackson as Sandy Cheeks are all terrific vocalists, especially Haas, whose voice could most likely handle an operatic score, and all three are skilled at comedy. Cole Cloutier, who can make me laugh just raising an eyebrow, as Squidward just about steals the show and his big tap-dancing number “I’m Not a Loser”is the musical highlight of the evening. Keegan Arnold as the evil plotting Plankton and Pamela Ly Anglero as his computer wife Karen are comically menacing. Esteban Vilchez, a wonderful singer, is a hoot as the money-grubbing Eugene Krabs and Gabie Hocson as his whale daughter Pearl can belt like a rock star. Nathan Benson as the commentator Perch Perkins looks and sounds like he just came out of the Bikini Bottom newsroom. Andrew Bullard scores big as Patchy the Pirate with his song “Poor Pirates,” which is nearly impossible not to sing along with. The super talented ensemble includes Sarah Jo Adams, Rachel Bullard, Jenna Gaston, Kenneth Lane, Shane Morgan, Heath Rawls, Arianna Reed, and Cameron Wisener.
The entire cast and ensemble make Bikini Bottom a place you are going to want to visit. Silar’s SpongeBob is filled with laughs and surprises that will delight all ages. I’m so glad I made a return trip to SpongeBob the Musical. By all means go, get some grub at the Krusty Krab, climb Mount Humongous, and let the magic of Bikini Bottom wash over you with a wave of joy.
