2022: The SpongeBob Musical
After a two-year hiatus from presenting a musical, the Appleton North High School Theatre, Music and Fine Arts Departments returned to the stage March 10-20 with the Fox Valley premiere of the Broadway hit, “The SpongeBob Musical!” THANK YOU to the audiences, sponsors, and advertisers who generously supported our return during the 12-show run!
Based on the popular Nickelodeon series by Stephen Hillenberg, “The SpongeBob Musical” was written by Kyle Jarrow, with an eclectic score by rock and pop icons David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Yolanda Adams, Lady A, Sarah Bareilles, and legendary bands Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T's, and They Might Be Giants. Declared “BRILLIANT!” by the New York Times, it was nominated for 12 Tony awards when it premiered in 2017.
The show is set in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, which is inhabited by the happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his equally quirky friends and neighbors. SpongeBob’s pleasant existence is abruptly interrupted when it is discovered that Mt. Humongous, a nearby volcano, will erupt within the next 48 hours and completely obliterate Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope.
North Theatre Director Ron Parker said the show is silly and smart, sensitive and sassy, and one families will not want to miss. “‘The SpongeBob Musical’ is incredibly fun and family-friendly with a timely message of the importance of faith in ourselves and our community.”
He added that fans of the television series “SpongeBob Squarepants” will love seeing all their favorite characters in a new story, but even those totally unfamiliar with the original animated series will love the fun music and eye-popping staging.
“‘The SpongeBob Musical’ is a show with something for everyone—there are moments of joy and laughter, and darker moments of conflict and soul-searching drama,” said Parker. “Most importantly, as in all great stories, there is a message that lies at the heart of the narrative. This is a show that inspires us with a story of courage, strength, determination, and sacrifice. While it shows us the many obstacles that circumstances place on all of us, its inescapable message is one of hope: a belief that all of us are capable of greatness and that we can break free of the barriers that surround us to become all that we are capable of—and more. Each of us is so much more than a ‘simple sponge.’”
North’s production featured a cast, crew, and orchestra of more than 100 students, as well an elaborate set, state of the art projection technology, specially designed costumes, jaw-dropping dance sequences, flying effects by ZFX Flying Illusions, and that wonderfully wide-ranging musical score.
“We are so excited to be back after two years without a musical at North,” Parker said. “We were all so disappointed when our 2020 musical, ‘Matilda,’ was cancelled hours before the opening performance due to the COVID shutdown. We’re back and bigger than ever—‘SpongeBob’ was one of the splashiest productions ever staged at North. This critically-acclaimed, award-winning Broadway musical is a creatively crazy romp everyone will enjoy, and we pulled out all the stops to make this an unforgettable experience for everyone!”
