Full disclosure: I have never seen a single episode of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants. The little girls we foster grandparent have favored Disney, Bluey and Peppa Pig so I debated with myself whether I should watch a couple of episodes to prepare to see SpongeBob, The Musical now playing at Quad City Music Guild, directed by Anthony Greer. I ended up opting not to watch any in order to be unbiased. Obviously, I’ve been missing a real phenomenon to a generation of kids. A young woman in the row in front of me was so into this show that she was lip syncing the songs and hand jiving the choreography.
SpongeBob, The Musical was conceived by Tina Landau with book by Kyle Jarrow. It premiered on Broadway in 1999 and garnered 12 Tony nominations and won the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical.
The plot revolves around the Mount Humongous volcano that threatens to destroy SpongeBob’s home, Bikini Bottom. Mass panic breaks out. While the villainous Sheldon J. Plankton and his wife Karen try to take advantage of the chaos to hypnotize the town. SpongeBob teams up with BFF Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, a human scientist, to stop the eruption. What sets the production apart is its distinct pop-rock score, which features songs contributed by a massive roster of music legends, including: "No Control" by David Bowie, "Hero is My Middle Name" by Cyndi Lauper, "(I Guess I) Miss You" by John Legend, "Bikini Bottom Boogie" by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and "I'm Not a Loser" by They Might Be Giants.
This show is a raucous, energetic, colorful romp that will set millennials’ toes to tapping especially during Squidward Q. Tentacles real tap dance number.
Making his QCMG debut in the title role of SpongeBob is Augustana College student Devon Reed. His performance is turbo charged and I was out of breath just watching him. However, there were a couple of times that despite being miked I had trouble hearing him. In the BFF role of Patrick Star is Myka Walljasper who brings in a big and bold FUN performance and rules the stage when she’s on. Strong performances are also brought in by Taylor Bley as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Lauren Casillas as Sandy Cheeks and Blue Roland’s Patchy the Pirate was adorable.
I mentioned this is a colorful show. By that I mean neon pink, green, blue, and yellow wigs, shirts, shorts and scenery. Your eyes will pop out of their sockets. An interesting side note that I learned from a friend who attended the same performance is that restrictions are attached from the licensing agency that prohibit copying or replicating costumes, scenic, and lighting and sound design from the original Broadway show, so every production you may attend will be somewhat unique.
Since I am of grandmotherly age, I decided to ask a couple of the kids in attendance their take on the show. Wesley, an approximate 8-year-old, really liked it and said this was the first musical he’s ever attended (hopefully he’s hooked now!). Harrison, a veteran SpongeBob viewer, said he liked Juniper Garza’s Squidward Tentacles better than the TV version.
The SpongeBob Musical continues at Quad City Music Guild in Moline’s Prospect Park, Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. If you’re new to Music Guild, be advised that parking at the theatre is limited to the handicapped and to volunteers only. All others can catch a shuttle from the Southpark Mall’s parking lot east of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.