Are you ready kids? The pineapple under the sea has officially arrived on Broadway! Brilliantly re-imagined from the popular Nickelodeon series, SpongeBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical, is an incredible theatrical trip down to Bikini Bottom. Full of life, humor, heart, and theatricality – The SpongeBob Musical unleashes chaotic absurdity under the sea of Broadway. Aye Aye Captain – this underwater adventure is perfect for kids, and theater-going land lovers of all ages.
Behind Bikini Bottom
Created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob SquarePants, has been the most-watched animated program for kids on Nickelodeon for for more than 13 consecutive years.
The beloved character-driven cartoon follows the nautical (and often nonsensical!) misadventures of a talking sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, in a sub-surface city called Bikini Bottom. It is here where SpongeBob works at a fast food restaurant, attends boating school, and has a sea of very unique underwater friends. SpongeBob’s optimistic, highly unconventional yet lovable approach to life creates chaos in his underwater world; which is fun to watch as hilarity ensures.
Setting the Stage
SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical presents the world of Bikini Bottom in a whole new way from the cartoon. The characters in the musical are brought to life through talented actors, not prosthetics, puppets, or costumes.
The stage decor is jaw dropping, mesmerizing, and quite unconventional by Broadway standards – which is perfectly fitting for SpongeBob and the cast of underwater characters! Aside from the neon lights and elaborate decor, there is a collection of memorabilia to explore. To the left of the stage, by the first row of seats – a collection of SpongeBob memorabilia on display with a sign that reads “Collection from SpongeBob’s #1 Fan.” Walk up to the stage and take a minute during your visit to take in one of the largest collections of memorabilia you may ever see.
Be sure to get to your seat a little early. Before the show – a lively band with Hawaiian shirts will perform to the right of the stage before the curtain rises. They play underwater themed music that completely sets the mood for the show. So fun and lively, during our show a small dance party broke out in front of the theater, a testament to the decor and mood altering scene. You really feel as if you have entered an unique underwater abyss, and its a party that you don’t want to miss.
A Musical Undersea Adventure
In addition to the stage antics, your toes will definitely be tapping while you watch SpongeBob SquarePants in action on stage. A legendary roster of Grammy® Award winners have created original music for the show, including big fish names like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips and even the late David Bowie.
David Bowie’s posthumous song “No Control” is also featured in the musical. A little known fact is that the superstar actually had a long-running connection to SpongeBob series, as he also voiced Lord Royal Highness in the 2007 TV movie “SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePantis.”
SpongeBob Show Synopsis
Aye Aye Captain! The show starts with a captain greeting the audience with a little bout of stage antics. When SpongeBob and all of his friends of Bikini Bottom face unheard of catastrophe – total annihilation of their undersea world, lives hang in the balance, and chaos erupts! Just when all seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. Can the power of optimism really save the day? Stakes are higher then ever before for SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom in this thrilling musical.
SpongeBob SquarePants Show Review
Having heard that the actors are without costume, I was a bit skeptical if it would feel close enough to the cartoon for our young son; however, the actors were absolutely incredible, and captured the essence of each and every cartoon character to perfection. From the voice similarities, personality traits, and even how the characters interacted with each other on stage – imagination over literal interpretations work beautifully, and they nailed the cartoon’s lovable antics to a T. I didn’t miss that they were not in costume even for a minute, nor did I think that they needed it (and neither did our son!). The producers allowed the Broadway actors to shine, and not a costumed version of them.
The show itself is a glittering display of life in Bikini Bottom. A visionary director and Tony Award-winning design team created the underwater scene, and it shows. There is such incredible attention to detail, which is evident the second you step into the theater with a large pineapple inspired chandelier.
The stage design is gorgeous, jaw dropping, and visually pleasing. Hands down, it is one of the most creative displays I have ever seen. SpongeBob SquarePants has always had a chaotic absurdity to it, and the stage design captures that essence the minute you walk into the theater. There are neon lights, nets, sea bottom decor to explore, and it’s not just confined to the stage. The chaos extends up into the side balconies to the ceiling, and is a mirage of neon and eye pleasing haphazard Bikini Bottom debris.
The talent of the cast is dazzling, and truly brings the cartoon to life. The actress who plays Sandy Cheeks steals the show with incredible vocals, and SpongeBob himself is absolutely lovable, and an amazing cast lead. The producers couldn’t have picked better for Mr. Krab, a boisterous actor who absolutely nails the Krusty Krab owner’s personality. Squidward surprises with a dance number that must be seen, and a brilliant portrayal of Plankton and his diabolical scheme was perfect for the story.
The show itself is full of surprises and stage antics, and keeps the audience engaged throughout the entire show with theatrical innovation. From projection of fish and other 3-D characters, light show antics, cannon confetti, to a showstopping, amazing choreographed dance numbers, the surprising things that “erupt” from SpongeBob’s stage will surely amaze.
Even if you are not a SpongeBob (the cartoon) fan, you will leave wanting to live in this technicolor, absurd, overwhelmingly fun, Bikini Bottom Land.
Know Before you Go:
- SpongeBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical is currently in previews. The opening day is December 4th.
- The show is 2 hours 30 minutes long, and has one intermission.
- SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical is recommended for children five years and older. Children under the age of four are not permitted in the theatre.
- The theater has a coat check, however they do not accept bags or large items.
- Snacks such as chips pretzels, and candy; along with drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
- Plastic seat boosters are available for children free of charge.
- Be sure to walk up to the stage before the show starts to get a look at the memorabilia collection, a must see.
SpongBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical
Palace Theatre 1564 Broadway at 47th St.
Full schedule and ticket sales HERE
A huge thank you to SpongeBob SquarePants and Nickelodeon for hosting our experience. As always, all opinions and reviews are our own.
