Review of SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway
by Waverly W. and Gavin M., 9 years old
The Mom here! Truthfully, I have never watched an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants and knew nothing about him except that apparently, he lives in a pineapple under the sea.  Just another simple cartoon character – or so I thought.  When I saw it was coming to Broadway, I figured I’d of course take the kids to review it if we got the chance, but never imagined I’d enjoy it.  That opinion changed pretty much as soon as we walked into The Palace Theater, or should I say Bikini Bottom – bright dayglo colors everywhere, so much to look at, plus a live band playing as we settled into our seats – it was already fun! 

As I looked over the Playbill I saw a list of songs written by a mix of big names like David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Steven Tyler, They Might Be Giants, and more.  Wow, I didn’t expect that and couldn’t wait to see and hear what was in store.
Waverly here!  Unlike my mom, I was already a SpongeBob Fan when we walked in and could not wait to see this show! I was really excited and could hardly concentrate at school that day.  We got there a little early and walked around the set and looked at all the cool stuff they had, like pool noodles shaped into big flowers, SpongeBob Fan Club items,  and a ceiling that made you feel like you were really under the sea! When you go, make sure you look up!

After a pirate surprisingly storms the stage, the curtain opened and they started to sing “Bikini Bottom Day,” the entire audience went crazy.  Then a funny thing happened – the lady who was in the band before the show jumped down into the orchestra pit and started conducting the show!  Everyone there was so excited and we all knew for sure that this was definitely not going to be a boring musical!  Keep an eye on that spatula…

SpongeBob SquarePants
The Broadway Musical for Everyone

Down in Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob, played perfectly by Ethan Slater, works at The Krusty Krab.  He wants to be a manager but nobody believes in him.  He is just “a simple sponge who doesn’t absorb much.”  His BFF, Patrick, also played perfectly by Danny Skinner, tries to help SpongeBob believe in himself like true BFFs do, and SpongeBob does the same for him.  They are really funny together and sing a great song called “BFF” together in the show that shows just how much they help each other out in hard times, like when the end of the world is coming and you can’t watch tv anymore!
When a big volcano is about to erupt and destroy Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob gets his chance to prove himself.  Of course, there’s a bad guy – little Plankton, played in a big, fun way by Wesley Taylor, and I loved watching him try to hypnotize everyone so he could get what he wanted: “Fast Food Domination.”   One of my favorite songs (and I had a lot of favorites in this show!) was definitely “When The Going Gets Tough,” and I think it will be one of yours, too.

SpongeBob SquarePants
The Broadway Musical for Everyone

Their super smart friend Sandy the Squirrel, who has an amazing voice and is played by Lilli Cooper, finds a way for the the three of them to stop the volcano. They almost lost Patrick when he made a big announcement about life that was really silly, but got him a whole bunch of followers that were sardines – that tested his friendship with SpongeBob and he was too busy being adored to help out, but during the really nice song called “(I Guess I) Miss You” they both realized that friendship is very important.  This was a really nice part of the show and the song was really sweet.  Speaking of amazing voices, Pearl Krabs, played by Jai’Len Christine Li Josey, sings so well that you almost won’t believe what you are hearing.  Just wait until you hear her try to make her dad listen to her in “Daddy Knows Best.”
One of the best parts in the show was when Squidward, sings “I’m Not a Loser.”  Wow.  You have to see that for yourself. I was happy that he stuck up for himself and proved that no matter what anyone else things or tells you, it’s what you believe about yourself that matters.  

SpongeBob SquarePants
The Broadway Musical for Everyone

SpongeBob learned in the end that he is not just a simple sponge, and we definitely learned that this show is not just a simple show!  The singing was amazing, the set was colorful and interesting, it was funny and even better than I expected it to be.  You will definitely have the best day ever when you go see SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway!

Gavin here! SpongeBob was so much different than I expected and I loved it!  It was a great show that gave us lots of surprises!  Especially when the actors danced right by the audience.  I even got a high five and at the end of the show, there was so much fun stuff coming down on us from all over – we tossed around a beach ball and Waverly even got to take it home! That was so fun.  

Back to Mom! This energetic and colorful musical will make you (however old you are) take a look around at your life and realize that just being alive and going about your usual routine makes today the best day ever.  Without even realizing it, your kids will be learning all sorts of valuable lessons about self-worth, friendship, and just how “not simple” they really are.  Hmm-you may learn those lessons too! Truly a Broadway Musical for Everyone.  And yes, I am now a SpongeBob fan! You will be, too.
@spongebobbway
 http://spongebobbroadway.com

SpongeBob SquarePants
The Broadway Musical for Everyone