The Empire Theatre Arts Center in our community recently staged “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical,” a whimsical performance filled with a delightful array of catchy music. Performed October 5th to 8th with following showings from the 12th to14th. As I walked into the theater, the atmosphere was immediately set with lion statues adorned in scuba gear, on each end of the hall. The gallery littered with balloons, capturing the undersea world of Bikini Bottom.
To my good fortune, I sat by Matthew Turnus, marketing director for the Empire. When asking him about the show and anything he wanted to share with me he reflected on past shows like “Shane Mauss: A Better Trip” the Psychedelic Comedy Night that happened several weeks ago. He emphasized the theatre’s mission, “Our hope is to have something for everyone, throughout the year.”
This musical is a stride in that very direction. Giving room for community members to relive past experiences of childhood to reminisce on and having a fun night for families to enjoy.
Shortly after taking in the atmosphere the show opened with a familiar face, Patchy the Pirate played by Mark Diers. Ramping up the excitement before being humorously kicked off stage, his attempt to create a “pirated” copy of the musical on his phone, by enthusiastic ushers who were members of the ensemble.
The show then introduces SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends in Bikini Bottom, who are faced with a crisis as the nearby Mount Humongous threatens to erupt. The town’s residents, including married villains Plankton and Karen, plan to escape using an escape pod secretly designed for nefarious purposes. The community’s response to the looming catastrophe varies widely, some search for a scapegoat, targeting the town’s only land-dwelling resident, while others seek guidance from an unconventional savior and a few attempts to capitalize on the panic for financial gain.
SpongeBob, however, believes they should save their town and looks for an active solution with the help of friends Patrick and Sandy, setting out to stop the volcano. Along the way, there are conflicts, humorous moments, and personal revelations as the characters face the impending disaster with determination and courage.
The story itself highlights elements of identity, crisis, and community and is also an allegory that examines and critiques the politics of the modern era. But it is understandable for children as they follow the plot and older members like me can read between the lines and extract even more from the messages shown.
The cast, one by one, brought the iconic characters to life. Tyler Herbert portrayed Patrick Star as endearing yet scatterbrained. Jamie Travers took on Squidward, a grump yearning for artistic recognition. Bella Coast infused Sandy Cheeks with Southern charm and scientific curiosity, heroically confronting community scrutiny and identity crises. Ryan King’s Mr. Krabs, characterized by his large red claws, saw the impending disaster as a business opportunity. Oakley Oss’s initial performance as Plankton stood out initially, evoking the essence of an old food cold war with Mr. Krabs. With the star of the show played by Ginny Hutton, who was a dynamo of positivity and energy, setting a high bar for the entire performance.
The choreography was simple. Though not overwhelming, it is understandable given the range of ages in the ensemble. However, every character’s spirit was vividly highlighted as the show progressed and certain characters’ musical numbers made me laugh with joy.
The musical score was a mixture of eclectic sounds, featuring songs reminiscent of grunge bands like Nirvana penned by the likes of David Bowie. With soulful ballads, duets, and old Broadway numbers kept me excited for what was to come next. Another unexpected treat was Patrick’s tambourine number, depicting his transformation into a cult figure among a crowd of ardent followers. And a special mention must go to Squidward’s tap-dancing number resonating with undertones of missed opportunities and dreams deferred.
Choosing a favorite character would be difficult as each actor lent a unique flair to the stage. Patrick’s melodic strength and lovable personality, spectacular vocals from Pearl and Sandy diving deep into their characters, and Karen’s risqué costume and blunt attitude towards her husband Plankton whose personality far outweighed his sized, not to mention each member of the cast and ensemble, they all deserve mention. Yet, SpongeBob, with his never-ending positivity, is the undisputed star of the show. Hutton, who I interviewed previously, always made each scene enjoyable, bringing the sea sponge’s characteristic energy and hyperactivity to the forefront. Her future seems bright beyond this local stage if she continues to infuse her roles with the same energy, I saw that night.
All to say I thoroughly enjoyed watching and was swept away by the SpongeBob SquarePants musical. I felt like it had balanced humor, a diverse musical score, and even a touch of social commentary with a great cast to boot. It aligns well with the Empire Theatre’s ambition to cater to all community groups, promising a well-rounded entertainment experience. This visit to a recreated Bikini Bottom is not just recommended; it is a must see.
Davíd Moreno is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daví[email protected].
