The cast of “The SpongeBob Musical.” Photo by Stasia Steuart Photography.
“SpongeBob SquarePants” first appeared on the Nickelodeon network in 1999. Featuring outlandish characters and slapstick humor, the show also included an underlying sly wit as well. The result was one of the most-watched animated shows on television, including an audience of many adults. In 2016, the show crossed over to the live stage as “The SpongeBob Musical.” This, too, was a great success, earning multiple Tony nominations and winning one.
Now playing at at Silhouette Stages, the musical uses a number of characters and tropes drawn from the TV show. The pure-hearted SpongeBob is generally happy with his life and his friends but is frustrated that his boss at the Krusty Krab Restaurant does not see him as being management material. His best friend, slow-witted Patrick Star (a starfish), has his own frustrations, as do the rest of the characters. However, this normal life seems doomed when a nearby volcano threatens to destroy the town and its inhabitants. Tempers flare, and it becomes a race to see if the town of Bikini Bottom can be saved from the volcano before the community destroys itself through social unrest and petty grievances.
“In addition to its compelling…characterizations, the Silhouette Stage production takes welcome risks as well.”
While faithfully following the Broadway script, the Silhouette Stages production is distinctive in the degree to which its cast makes use of vocal and physical mannerisms to make the characters believable, even as it sometimes departs somewhat from traditional staging. The actors do not simply mimic their cartoon counterparts, they inhabit the characters and extend their mannerisms in ways that seem natural and logical.
Matt Wetzel, for example, anchors the show as SpongeBob. The choice of his having red (rather than the traditional blonde or yellow) hair is surprising, but Wetzel wins us over with his pitch-perfect embodiment of SpongeBob’s distinctive spirit, voice, and mannerisms. He is also an excellent singer, convincing us of his joy of life in “Bikini Bottom Day” and of his self-doubt in “Just a Simple Sponge.” Geraden Ward is also compelling as Patrick Star. His character evolves from a slow-witted star to self-satisfied leader of a sardine cult in the wonder number “Super Sea Star Savior.” Ward’s comedic mannerisms show how fully Patrick has embraced his new-found role as religious leader. Yet most remarkable is SpongeBob and Patrick’s reconciliation duet, “(I Guess I) Miss You.” This veteran “SpongeBob” musical watcher found Wetzel and Ward’s song unexpectedly and profoundly moving, due in part to Ward’s striking and evocative tenor.
Summer Moore is very good as the scientifically-minded squirrel from Texas, Sandy Cheeks. Her vocal impression of the character is excellent and her crisp mannerisms work well for her character. Similarly, Seth Fallon is a convincing Squidward, especially during the show-stopping “I’m Not a Loser.” Fallon wonderfully captures Squidward’s mix of bombastic, artistic over-confidence and paralyzing self-doubt.
Mention must be made of the wonderful pairing of the malevolent Plankton and his computer wife, Karen, played by Adam Goldsmith and Jessica Long. They portray their characters splendidly, and Goldmith complements his portrayal with superb, comic dancing and physicality. Another standout is newscaster, Perch Perkins, played by Mica Weiss. Weiss sings a spectacular version of “No Control” early in the show, and as the show progresses, the increasingly haggard Perch Perkins helps convey the mounting desperation of the citizens of Bikini Bottom.
In addition to its compelling (if sometimes unexpected) characterizations, the Silhouette Stage production takes welcome risks as well. A few times it felt that the show had a slight “Rocky Horror Picture Show” feel to some of the costuming and staging. When asked about this, one of the show’s co-directors, Robyn Yakaitis, explained that “we wanted to have a show that was not like anything else. Also, the characters themselves change during the course of the show.” This decision to let the characters evolve works well for some characters, such as with the aforementioned Perch Perkins, but occasionally comes off as incongruous, as when a character with long hair suddenly reappears with short hair without explanation.
The production features live music directed by Mari Hill, with the musicians unexpectedly stationed at the back of the main stage. Percussion and Foley (sound) effects by Arielle Miller take place on their own stage, clearly visible to the audience. Sound quality is generally good, though occasionally lyrics of group songs were difficult to understand.
Overall, though, Silhouette Stage’s production of “The SpongeBob Musical” is a success, attested to by enthusiastic audience responses. The show’s madcap performance and costumes serve as an excellent warm-up for the approaching Halloween season. With its humorous and satirical treatment of serious topics—in this case, social panics and tolerance of people who are different from ourselves— this show turns out to be unexpectedly relevant as we approach the challenges of another election cycle.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Advisory: Strobe light effects are used during one scene.
“The SpongeBob Musical” runs through October 22, 2023 at Slayton House Theatre, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 For more information and tickets, go online. Masks are strongly encouraged but not required.
