Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Burg Review: Goofiness, joy await as Theatre Harrisburg reopens with “The SpongeBob Musical”

“The SpongeBob Musical” is Theatre Harrisburg’s first production after the widespread venue shuttering of March 2020. With its talented cast to bring general (and admiral) nautical nonsense, this comeback production was well worth the wait.

Broadway’s 12-time-Tony-nominated comedy script, based on the Nickelodeon cartoon, features original songs by 15-plus artists, including David Bowie, Aerosmith and Cyndi Lauper. I’m too “seasoned” to know who the other artists are, but my eye-rolling teenager assures me they’re all groovy. They must be, because the songs are as infectious as SpongeBob SquarePants (Nik Olson) himself. His optimism, high energy and silly gags all infuse themselves into the music and the story.

But the tale is more than just silly fun.

“The message of SpongeBob is all about the power of optimism,” Theatre Harrisburg’s Artistic and Production Director Kristi Ondo said. “It’s about how anyone with the right mindset can pull a community together.”

In Theatre Harrisburg’s rendition, Director Matt Spencer guides us through an undersea journey full of heart, with a can-do message of confidence that’s wildly inclusive and encouraging of everyone reaching higher, regardless of their intelligence, skills or whether they need a bubble and oxygen pack to breathe under water.

The fantasy experience starts immediately upon entering the Sunoco Theater at Whitaker Center, ahem, Bikini Bottom. Much in the same way the absurdity in the SpongeBob cartoon series starts with the theme song, we are greeted with mischievous characters and the setup of running gags while the audience filters in. The bright colors of the settings, props, costumes and decorations swirling around the audience feel like being inside a kaleidoscope or a circus (thankfully, minus the usual animal smells).

Our mainstage story starts out as just another day in Bikini Bottom. Fry cook SpongeBob aspires to be manager of the Krusty Krab, but the greedy and cantankerous Mr. Krabs (Bryden McCurdy) underestimates his cook’s abilities. Squidward’s (Sean Adams) prowess on the clarinet is also overlooked, and smart, sassy Sandy Cheeks the squirrel (Becky Mease) is shunned for being a land mammal. Then the friends hear urgent news–a volcano is about to erupt all over Bikini Bottom. What follows is a heroes’ journey, in which all must overcome their perceived limitations and work together to save their community.

Ondo said of the script, “The author’s notes read, ‘Embrace joy.’ No other notes.”

It’s clear that the actors blew life into that suggestion through their nose flutes. You don’t have to be 7 years old to enjoy the antics. Along with lots of lessons for the kids in the audience, the show has endearing moments and innuendo to draw in the adults. The action moves quickly, so you might need to swivel-chair to any corner of the theater to see where the actors may pop up and surprise you.

Although the songs aren’t sing-alongs you’ll recognize, they are seaworthy–packed with amusing slapstick, incorporating a range of musical genres. All–and I do mean all–the onstage players belt the score out with heart and flair during the production’s steady flow of dance numbers.

My only grief in the reef about attending opening night: not enough kids in the audience. So bring yours.

The SpongeBob Musical” runs Oct. 22 to Nov. 7 at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information on show times and tickets, visit the Theatre Harrisburg website or Whitaker Center website.

Continue Reading