Theater Review: 'The SpongeBob Musical' by Ledyard Music

by Nancy Sasso Janis

Ledyard Music will present a stellar production of “Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical” this weekend in the Ledyard High School auditorium. Performances are scheduled for March 23, 24 and 25.

This colorful and delightful musical is of course based on the popular Nickelodeon series by Stephen Hillenburg, is written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau. The fabulous score is a tidal wave of original songs by a mix of iconic rock and pop artists, including David Bowie, Plain White T's, T.I., Panic! at the Disco, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, Sara Bareilles, Stephen Tyler, Lady A, John Legend, They Might Be Giants, and more.

With its long list of wonderful musical numbers, this hilarious and heart-warming show appeals to audiences of all ages. This family-friendly show is not to be missed.

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his pals must come together to save the fate of their beautiful undersea world.

The Ledyard production includes over 70 students and staff from Ledyard High School and Ledyard Middle School. It is complete with a professional pit orchestra conducted by Mr. Zach Thomas, the Director of Instrumental Music at the high school. Mr. Thomas is an effective director of both the instrumentalist and the onstage singers, and it was great that one of the characters broke the fourth wall to address the maestro. Shout outs to Clio Janis on guitar and Marc Sokolson on keyboard.

The well-rehearsed cast sings well with the musicians in the pit, and show off their wonderful harmonies when singing a cappella. There is some challenging choreography that the dancers perform with high energy.

Layla Montgomery serves as the technical director. The lighting design is impressive, with some use of strobe lighting. The colorful set is a work of undersea art. Kudos to the large number of crew members that keep the show moving dressed in black hoodies to sneak around the stage. I loved the idea of a crew member sitting just below the stage in the center of the musicians to provide and collect some of the props.

The cast is led by Sebastian Martelle in the role of SpongeBob SquarePants. This young performer is a delight to watch as he embodies the iconic yellow sponge, who is not "(Just A) Simple Sponge.” He never breaks character, sings and dances wonderfully, and brings a smile to those in the audience whenever he enters the stage.

Nate Cason is adorable as the loveable Patrick Star. Henry Denton manages to perform on four legs in his role as Squidward Q. Tentacles and he does it perfectly. Sydney Nunes is also a delight in her portrayal of Sandy Cheeks, the very smart squirrel.

Brooke Grant is very strong in the role of the tiny and villainous Sheldon J. Plankton, with Sarina Barnes playing the role of Plankton’s spouse, Karen the Computer, in a great costume.

Lily McCarthy plays the role of the Mayor of Bikini Bottom and she also is the voice of the offstage French narrator. Adelle Olexy dons the red boxing gloves to play the role of Mr. Eugene Krabs with Evelyn Mallory as his daughter Pearl, a teenage whale.

Perch Perkins is played by Lucas Crowe and Sarah Dunsmore is the very blue Mrs. Puff. Alex Lanphere is Old Man Jenkins

Micah McLeary is the very busy, onstage Foley Artist Fish, providing a myriad of sound effects. Faculty member Mr. Sean Rahusen has a great time playing Patchy the Pirate before the show begins and at the end of the intermission, to the delight of the youngest members of the audience. Cameron Barboza plays both Larry the Lobster and Gary.

There are many talented young performers that cover the roles of various named fish and teen fans. Security guards, who wrangle Patchy, are played by Gavin Hyde and Shelby Morrison.

The large ensemble includes students who play sardine devotees, a chorus of sponges, hip hop dancers, sea anemones and creatures and jellyfish. There is also a large group of actors that play pirates, including some middle school students and brave faculty members.

I highly recommend this excellent production of “SpongeBob,” especially if you are in the Ledyard area. I traveled from Naugatuck to attend a preview and was glad that I did. Tickets are on sale. Visit www.ledyardmusic.com for tickets and more information.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.