THEATRE REVIEW: "The SpongeBob Musical" at the Oriental Theatre (Chicago, IL)

      Sometime during June of 2016, I saw a performance of "Ths SpongeBob Musical" when the World Premiere Production played at the Oriental Theatre (now called the Nederlander Theatre) in Chicago, IL.  The musical was originally scheduled to run in Chicago from June 7th through July 3rd of 2016.  However, due to popular demand, the run was extended to July 10th.  I wish I knew the exact date that I saw "The SpongeBob Musical."  All I know is that I saw the show on a Thursday evening in June of 2016.  So, I saw the show on June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, or 30th.  Ha ha ha, so much for narrowing it down.





     "The SpongeBob Musical" featured songs by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith; Yolanda Adams; Sara Bareilles; Jonathan Coulton; Dirty Projectors; Alex Ebert and Edward Sharpe of the Magnetic Zeros; The Flaming Lips; John Legend; Lady Antebellum; Cyndi Lauper; Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T's; They Might Be Giants; T.I.; and a song by David Bowie with additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton.  This long list of collaborators might have been the reason the songs in their entirety lacked cohesion and "catchiness,"  so to speak.  None of the songs were stuck in my head after seeing "The SpongeBob Musical."








     The cast of the Pre-Broadway World Premiere of "The SpongeBob Musical" included  Ethan Slater, Lilli Cooper, Danny Skinner, Carlos Lopez, Gavin Lee, and Nick Blaemire.  The production featured a larger-than-(marine) life set designed by David Zinn.  It was colorful, jaw-dropping and, sorry to say, far more impressive than the musical itself.  However, I wasn't expecting very much out of the musical.  Therefore, I wasn't disappointed.  "The SpongeBob Musical" was more about fun and good humor than anything.  Then again, there were a few clever parallels to current events and society within the show.  I'm surprised I picked up on those, yet I was completely lost when I saw the Chicago Production of "Hamilton" the following April.  







     The cast of "The SpongeBob Musical" also featured Gaelen Gilliland, Juliane Godfrey, Curtis Holbrook, Stephanie Hsu, Jesse JP Johnson, L'ogan J'ones, Mark Ledbetter, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Emmy Raver-Lampman, JC Schuster, Allysa Shorte, Abby C. Smith, Jacob L. Smith, Jason Michael Snow, and Allan K. Washington.  This was a large cast.  Not only was David Zinn the scenic designer for this production, but he was the costume designer as well.  He certainly had his work cut out for him.  Well, I imagine he sketched his costume designed, but I don't know if he had that work cut out for him or if the sketches remained in his sketchbook.  








     Before the show started, a young lady came out on stage, moved off to one side, and proceeded to play the kazoo.  This happened while people were filing into the theatre, looking for their seats, and admiring the scenic design.  This was also happening while a Broadway in Chicago employee was selling Red Vines.  I wonder if the kazoo player and the Red Vine lady got acting credits for participating in this theatre-going experience.  I should hope so... for the Red Vine lady especially... Red Vines are good, but Twizzlers are better.  Not very many people were buying them.  



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