Riedel talks up SpongeBob

Kind of like the time he said Bullets Over Broadway was "On Target to Kill at the Tonys"... and it went home empty handed (and I actually LOVED Bullets)...

the most I can say is that some of the songwriters have done good work. I'm super doubtful of the entire enterprise.

Yet another example of the destructive impact that Hollywood is having on Broadway.

I saw one of the readings. It really is quite imaginatively done. In particular, what would seem to be the biggest challenge - how to conceive the characters for the stage - is especially well handled. I can't vouch for what the fully realized show will be like, but if you are thinking it looks and behaves like a theme park show, it absolutely doesn't. And I think there will be an audience for it.

Riedel is absolutely just doing his schtick, but I wouldn't discount this production out of hand just because, all of sudden, people are acting as though populist fare on Broadway is so uncouth.

Tina Landau is a visionary director with impressive credits to her name- one only needs to wander down to the Public to see Head of Passes right now to get a demonstration of that.

Kyle Jarrow is a remarkable, imaginative writer- one only needed to have seen The Wildness at Ars Nova recently to get a feel for his aesthetic and creativity.

Taking such a recognizable property and handing it over to two artists with "downtown" aesthetic and distinct artistic vision is a very smart move.

Updated On: 4/13/16 at 10:04 AM

Kad, I'm with you. People who are rolling their eyes about this show haven't looked at who the creative team is.

If you use code TAXDAY before Friday, you can get $20.15 tickets for the Chicago premiere at the broadwayinchicago website. Don't know where those seats are or how many there are.

..."get 'em in by April 15" has always been the rule I heard.

I think it is hasty to write this show off just yet- remember how Xanadu transformed into a cool, smart hit from humble origins.

And there's a whole load of sanctimonious cr*p being spouted about such a show debasing Broadway's reputation. Pick a decade and you'll find broad comedy from popular origins, wacky, goofy stuff all the way from fluffy Brit comedies like Me & My Girl back to Billy Rose's time.

As I said before Xanadu opened, there has to be a reason why all these artists are involved in the project- they could collect a paycheck anywhere.

I attended the preview and discussion in Chicago and a lot of thought and creativity has gone into this project, even down to those approached for the songs, the reason for using a team of songwriters, and why they were selected to wrote songs given the placement of the songs within the story. They want to ensure the show is 1) NOT standard theme park/children's touring show entertainment, 2) entertaining for both kids and adults and 3) maintains the indomitable optimism found in its leading character. I really liked the three songs they performed and the idea behind the casting was spot on. While I've only seen a few episodes of the series, I already have tickets to this show in July and I'm really looking forward to it.