When I told my friends that I was going to Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical, they all responded by asking “why?” The idea of a cartoon being adapted into a live-action Broadway musical is definitely strange. However, Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical is a very entertaining and funny show that should not be cast aside for its ridiculous concept.

Expecting a deep story from a musical based on Spongebob is like asking if water is wet. The plot of Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical is an idea straight out of an episode of the TV show. It sees Bikini Bottom being threatened by an impending volcano eruption. The main story beats are fairly predictable and the themes are very heavy-handed. Regardless of the simplicity of the story, the writing is still fantastic. Nearly all the jokes are hilarious, and I was constantly laughing through the entire show. The references and quotes from the original TV show are kept to a minimum but are still well utilized.

The acting was also phenomenal, especially when they need to follow such a strong source material. Particular standouts were Gavin Lee as Squidward, Nick Blaemire as Plankton, Danny Skinner as Patrick, and (of course) Ethan Slater as Spongebob. The athletics some actors use to perform and maintain the illusion of a cartoon is impressive. The entire cast captures the essence of their characters from the cartoon while still adding their own unique spin. The soundtrack is also superb with these actors’ voices. The soundtrack has an huge number of artists involved, including John Legend, Sara Bareilles, David Bowie, Plain White T’s, Panic! at the Disco, and They Might be Giants. This keeps the music varied and diverse, allowing for both fun and emotional songs. The songs are teeming with emotional character moments that have genuine passion and love put into them such as Simple Sponge, [I Guess I] Miss You, and I’m Not a Loser.

From a technical angle, Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical is an incredible feat of theatre effects. The set is packed to the brim with pieces that each have dozens of moving parts that need to be choreographed around very unpredictable objects. Some of the special effects are so insane and ridiculous that I am still confused as to how they were executed. The lighting is equally complex and adds to the humor and atmosphere of the show. There are even sound effects for every individual squeak for Spongebob’s shoes. I would be shocked if this show does not win at least one award for its spectacular effects. Additionally, the costumes are some of the best I have ever seen. Instead of actors wearing awkward mascot costumes, they wear clothing and hairstyles inspired by the cartoon characters. For example, Squidward has two additional tentacles attached to his legs, Mr. Krabs wears boxing gloves as claws, and Sandy has an afro instead of a glass helmet. It really does feel like you are watching a cartoon in real life without dipping into the uncanny valley.

Overall, Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical is a very enjoyable, entertaining, and quality show. It has care and passion poured into it and it is not a simple cash grab. If you are a fan of Spongebob, a fan of theatre, or just want to have a fun, silly time, Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical is not something you should pass up.

Photo Credit: Playbill.com