The Spongebob Musical opened last night at the Croswell Opera House and it’s a big, colorful, tuneful musical for all ages (note: younger kids need to be able to sit through two one-hour acts). Well-Directed and Choreographed by Debra Ross Calabrese, there is some masterful world-building happening here that is all appropriate for a, well, sponge that wears pants and a tie and lives in a pineapple under the sea.
If you are familiar with Spongebob, you’ll instantly recognize all the characters here, though the show itself has more in common with “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” than, say, Beauty and the Beast”. Street clothes represent the various characters and everyday props become coral, lava rocks, Spongebob’s stretchy arms, and it is an imagination-filled joyful experience. If you are not familiar with the cartoon, here’s a quick primer:
Steven Kiss is ideal as Spongbob (A sponge) vocally and physically, as is Matthew Johnston as his starfish BFF Patrick. Sabriyah Davis makes for a spunky Sandy the squirrel (just go with it), Jeffrey Beam an appopriately smug Squidward, Jeffrey King a fun Krabs, Hallie Yuen his vocally gifted daughter (a whale) Pearl (again, don’t ask). Even the “bad guys” here are terrific — Maxwell Lam is hilarious as tiny plankton Sheldon, as is Meg Lam as as his computer-girlfriend Karen (I warned you, don’t ask, just go with it). Procedings are occasionally interrupted by tv-newsfish Perch (Michael Yuen) and Patchy the Pirate (Kylie McElrath), bringing the laughs. The entire 40-member cast is always in wild Spongebob-character and the action stops only for more “dramatic”moments, like the lovely “I Guess I Miss You” in the second act.
The songs are written by a stellar lineup of some of the hottest musicians in the business including Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, They Might be Giants and many more. See if you can figure out who wrote what without looking it up. The miracle here is that the songs are really good and despite all the different talent they blend together seamlessly.
Special Kudos to the sound team here — Karl Kasichke who designed it and Kylie Bushman who serves as live Foley Operator throughout — it is essential in making the show Spongebob-worthy: from Spongebob’s squeeky shoes each time he takes a step, to Squidward’s walking and ink-squirting sounds and Pearl’s whale walking sounds. Hilarious stuff that keeps the sound team on their toes for over 400 cues.
Everything looks colorful and cartoonish on Leo Babcock’s set, Rachel Slupes lighting, Crosby Slupes projections (extraordinarily well integrated), Beth Flumignan’s amazing props that just keep coming and coming and coming, and Abbie Sage Hall’s costumes that both amaze, work practically, and use imagination and skill to create this Bikini Bottom community. Ray Novak conducts the outstanding orchestra, and Aaron Roos provided vocal direction.
Go, grab tickets, get a drink before the show, bring the entire family, and enjoy this colorful show. You’ll occasionally shake your head and think “what the heck are they doing?” but there is absolutely no way you won’t have a great time whether you are 8 or 80. It’s just one of those shows that has no right being as good as it is. Because it’s good. The script is good, the music is good, the jokes are good, the cast is good, and the production design is good. It just works. Just don’t think too much while you are enjoying this delightful musical.
Highly Recommended.
The Spongebob Musical continues at the Croswell Opera House through December 1. Tickets at croswell.Org or 517-264-SHOW. Buy tickets at Croswell ONLY, they do not use third-party ticket sales. Photo: courtesy The Croswell Opera House.
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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