Jaivean Wilson in SpongeBob Musical – Courtesy of Michael Camp Photography. Used with permission.
Simon Allen in SpongeBob Musical – Courtesy of Summer Stock Stage. Used with permission.
There is nothing more infectious than the energy exuding from high school performers, especially if they are talented and well directed. Such was the case Saturday when I experienced SpongeBob Musical, presented by Summer Stock Stage at the Schrott Performing Arts Center, at the Butler Arts & Events Center. Serving as directors, choreographers and vocal directors of the production were spouses Jerico & Johnnie Hughes.
SpongeBob Musical is based on the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants by marine science educator, animator Steven Hillendberg. The musical premiered in Chicago in June 2016 and opened on Broadway in 2017. The musical follows SpongeBob SquarePants’ attempts to avert a volcanic eruption that could potentially wipe out all life in his underwater hometown, Bikini Bottom.
Susan Fleener in SpongeBob Musical – Courtesy of Michael Camp Photography. Used with permission.
SpongeBob SquarePants has received widespread critical acclaim from television critics, who praised its characters, surreal humor, writing, and animation. The program, which is now in its sixteenth season, is considered a cultural benchmark for Millennials and Generation Z.
What is always notable about Summer Stock Stage performers is the caliber of their talent. SpongeBob was certainly no exception. Jaivean Wilson, an upcoming Junior at Lawrence Central High School, was simply phenomenal in the title role. Should he decide to pursue a professional career, he has the potential to attain the highest levels of success. That’s how spectacular his performance was.
The same can be said for Taylor Smith, a six-season SSS veteran, who played SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick. Soon, heading off to NYU to study drama, Smith also turned in a remarkable performance. And the two of them, displaying star quality, together made sparks fly in their duet of “BFF.”
L-R Taylor Smith & Jaivean Wilson in SpongeBob Musical – Courtesy of Michael Camp Photography. Used with permission.
Members of the supporting cast were no slouches when it came to striking performances that reflected the professional polish that SSS is celebrated for in its productions. All gifted performers, they included Arlyana Jackson (Sandy), Madison Fleener (Pearl), Simon Allen (Eugene H. Crabs), Lewis Claxon (Sheldon J. Plankton), Gracie Navarro (Karen) and Paige Murray (Mayor of Bikini Bottom). Singling out these performers certainly is not meant to diminish the performances of any of the remaining cast members. They were all uniformly excellent actors-singers-dancers without a weak link between them.
One production number, which was the show’s proverbial showstopper, featured Michael Washington (Squidward) and ensemble members in I’m Not a Loser, which was a crowd favorite for its tap-dancing, high-energy campiness.
Overseeing the 18-piece orchestra, which expertly played the show’s quirky, uplifting score, was SSS Artistic Director Mike Raunick, who served as music supervisor and vocal director.
The show’s crack production team, which once again reflected the professional quality that one has come to expect from an SSS creation, included Set Designer Nick Kilgore, Costume Designer Allison Jones, Lighting Designer extraordinaire Michael Moffatt, Sound/Projection Designer Zach Rosing, and Properties Artisan Kristin Boyd.
