“The SpongeBob Musical” burst onto stage this past weekend at South Carolina Children’s Theatre in downtown Greenville, featuring a terrifically talented cast with enough electrifying energy to power Fluor Field across the street.
This funny and rambunctious show, inspired by the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, spotlights a catchy score of pop rock songs to dazzle children and parents alike.
Carter Allen leads the cast as SpongeBob, the beloved ever-optimistic sea sponge who’s always willing to charge into action to help everyone living at the bottom of the sea in a town called Bikini Bottom.
In this story, the town and all its citizens face utter destruction from an erupting volcano, Mount Humongous. Can SpongeBob and his friends save the day?
Don’t worry, parents. The plot, of course, is not traumatic. Mostly it’s an excuse for the cast to deliver chipper songs, engage in assorted hijinks and blithely dance their troubles away. The dialogue is funny and fast-paced. One song follows another in quick succession.
The music is by a collection of familiar names: Cyndi Lauper, Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, David Bowie, Panic! At the Disco and more.
The production’s creative team has accomplished something extraordinary. Hattie Claire Andres directs this cast with vitality and a headlong momentum. Not only does the show never lag; it hardly ever stops to catch its breath.
Grayson Anthony’s extensive choreography is a marvel of exuberance, styles, and complex coordination. There’s even a tap number. Instead of masks or full-body costumes, the costume designs suggest the various characters from the cartoon. Adam Martin has coordinated and created a stunning and colorful array of costumes.
Taylor Marlatt is responsible for the tight and polished music direction.
Genesis Garza’s appealing scenic design favors elements of a tiki bar dotted with brightly colored anemones and other sea creatures.
Jubilant showstoppers
The cast of more than two dozen is uniformly excellent. There are some standouts, of course, but this musical often involves the entire ensemble in jubilant showstoppers.
The musical spotlights some terrific vocals.
Allen, as SpongeBob SquarePants, is a huge talent, putting in a nimble tour-de-force performance as he effectively mimics the helium voice, gestures and laugh of his irrepressible character. He greets the world with manic joy — “Hello sky! Hello flowers! Hello Bikini Bottom!” — later proclaiming, “It’s the best day ever!”
Javy Pagan is endearing as the genially daffy Patrick Star. Adell Ehrhorn, with a soaring voice, plays the tough-talking twangy Texan Sandy Cheeks. Mitchell Smith is wonderful as the gloomy Squidward Q. Tentacles, delivering the song “I’m Not a Loser” with tons of pizzazz.
Cody Cobb, as “evil genius” Sheldon Plankton, sings with a resonant baritone and demonstrates some remarkable verbal dexterity in the rap number “When the Going Gets Tough.” Rick Connor brings his usual polished and professional commitment to the role of the crabby, money-hungry Eugene Krabbs.
Kaira Archibald, as Pearl, unleashes some powerful pipes on “Daddy Knows Best.” Mary Thalassinos brings a bright soprano to Karen the Computer. Roxanne Vogel offers a fine contribution as the town’s mayor, always putting a positive spin on calamity.
Andre Webb is the highly emotional reporter Perch Perkins. Anna Bowman, as Patchy the Pirate, serves as a kind of hearty warm-up act. Fawn Clark, Carley Tomlinson and Mary Evan Giles are the dynamic rock trio known as The Electric Skate.
The rest of the cast is likewise superb. This dynamite “SpongeBob Musical” continues through May 19.
It’s a must-see show. To quote SpongeBob, you’ll have “the best day ever.”
For tickets, call 235-2885, ext. 103 or see the website scchildrenstheatre.org.
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