The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre will present the critically-acclaimed, Tony award-winning “The SpongeBob Musical” at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 and Nov. 13, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 14, at the SSHS Auditorium (at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.)
Sulphur Springs Elementary and High School will get a preview of Act 1 of the play Friday, a little taste of to whet the appetite for the full program offered two more times over the weekend. The musical is a little over 2 hours, with an intermission between acts.
“SpongeBob the Musical is super fun. It just basically takes the characters everyone knows and loves – or hates – from SpongeBob the cartoon and kind of turns them into people: What happens if they are suddenly human on stage,” SSHS Wildcat Theatre Director Lesha Woodard said. “It’s been really fun. The kids have done an amazing job and I’m really proud of them.”
In this production, SpongeBob and his friends spring from television to the SSHS stage in an exciting event featuring original music from superstars of all genres with original songs by Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, David Bowie, Panic at the Disco, Steven Tyler, T.I., and many more. Other productions of this musical, declared brilliant by the New York Times, with its message of inclusivity and fun-for-the-whole-family community-oriented humor, make it a must-see. This version includes lots of props and sets, and features plenty of tech too.
“It takes us through a journey of SpongeBob helping save his town. It’s a super cute story. It’s full of joy and love and fun. We’ve had a lot of fun with it,” Woodard said. “It’s a super fun musical.”
In keeping with tradition, the fall musical is inclusive of any who are interested in participating. Almost all of the students enrolled in theater classes will be participating, along with some choir students and other SSHS students who thought it’d be fun to try.
“We’ve got some younger kids participating with us this year and we’ve got Mr. Williams, the assistant superintendent, and some teachers and tons of high school kids working cast and crew,” Woodard said. “That’s one thing I love about the fall musical. Anyone who wants to be involved can be involved and we usually find a place that showcases people’s strengths.”
Junior Austin Crump leads The SpongeBob Musical cast as SpongeBob. He is backed up by seniors Savannah Lilley as Sandy, AllieGrace Woodard as Patrick, Lucy Braddy as Mr. Krabs, Emilie Gotcher as Squidward, and RJ Penny as Plankton, junior Danielle Verlander as Pearl Krabs, and freshman Aiden Woodard as Patchy the Pirate.
Other cast members include seniors Caleb Talmage and Brandon Williams; juniors Khira Young, Colbie Glenn, and Ricardo Chavarria; sophomores Oliver Falter, Betzy Chacón, Jolene Reed, Caroline Prickette, Cadyn Spigner, Addison Bradley, Camila Hidalgo, Talley Brown, Cadrian Davis, and Lorelai Lilley; and freshmen Audrey Tanton and Aspen Mayhew. Community and younger actors include Josh Williams, Cindy Welch, Melissa and Finley Peugh, Emery Brown, Nathan Woodard, and Gerald Grafton.
Crew members are led by Senior Stage Manager Anayeli De La Cruz, Senior Technical Stage Manager Brandon Williams, and Junior Stage Manager Markida Hood. Other crew members include senior Heather Horne, Junior Keziah Sims, Sophmores Esme Santacruz, Madilyn Lindley, Gil Fykes, and Addison Graves; and freshmen Bella Driver, Summer Patterson, and Alaya Mims.
Directed by Lesha Woodard, with musical direction by Beth Cole, additional choreography by Amanda Brandenburgh and additional tech direction by Kris Luce, the SSHS presentation is sponsored, in part, by Sulphur Springs Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Alliance Bank, and Coldwell Banker.
Tickets are $10 in advance from any cast or crew member or online at bit.ly/wildcattheatre. Tickets will also be available at the door.
