“Are you ready kids,” Bikini Bottom is coming to town, and you will not want to miss this underwater adventure. The Empire Theatre Arts is making waves with their rendition of “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical.” If you are searching for a night filled with laughter, catchy tunes, and a blast of nostalgia, see the show on October 5-8th and 12-15th.
Having attended a rehearsal, I was overjoyed by the energy that came through the auditorium and how much fun the cast was having as the actors played their roles with glee. For fans of the original animated series, this production is a trip down memory lane.
The local cast is filled with actors of all ages, including several alumni and students from the University of North Dakota including Bella Costa, a first-year student at UND. When asking her why you should go see the musical, she made remarks about how much fun the show is with the cast bringing their A-game and capturing the heart of these iconic characters.
Ginny Hutton of Red River High School plays “SpongeBob” in this production. After talking with her and getting an idea of her reason for joining the show while discussing her background, I had a better idea of what the show would be like. Hutton joined the Empire Theatre Arts company to immerse herself in a musical production. She also leads her school’s soprano section and is part of an elite group of female singers called the Velvatones at Red River.
Additionally, Hutton wanted to highlight the dynamic characters. Although taken from their original source material, the characters in this show are more well-rounded and fleshed out. She explained to me that it is like seeing “an episode of each of the individual characters” lives.
One of the highlights of this musical is the music and stage. With tunes composed by the likes of David Bowie and John Legend, you will hear a surprising melody that invites you to move around. From the creative costume design and a well thought Stage Director, Kathy Coudle King, told me one thing that she wanted to highlight was their use of recycled plastics throughout the show. For the past year, she and cast members collected hundreds of plastics throughout their daily lives to highlight their environmental impact. If you look closely at the set and costume, you will see that these elements around are ‘littered’ throughout the stage.
So do not be surprised if you find yourself singing “F is for Friends” on your way home or in the middle of a lecture. In a world that sometimes feels too serious, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” offers an opportunity for a much-needed dose of lighthearted fun. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets, gather your friends and family, and get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Bikini Bottom. Do not miss out; Bikini Bottom awaits your arrival.
In the words of SpongeBob himself, “I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready!” Are you? You can purchase tickets for the show on the Empire Arts Center’s website at https://www.empireartscenter.com.
Davíd Moreno is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daví[email protected].
