SPONGEBOB Reviews — Page 2

Brantley is pretty mixed. He gives a massive rave for Ethan Slater, and says if you're a fan of the show, you'll fall in love. If you have nothing to do with the show, though, there's not much for ya (unless you smoke weed before the show...which he says he did).

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/theater/spongebob-squarepants-broadway-musical.html

Updated On: 12/4/17 at 09:57 PM

I'm so surprised and relieved with the good reviews!

BroadwayConcierge said: "Also, there's a hilarious typo in Brantley's article. He writes, "Lilli is disdained as a mammal." I... hope he meant to write Sandy."

No typo there, he is describing the plot. Sandy is looked down upon/judged for being a mammal.

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "Really happy that Wesley is being a constant shout out in these reviews! Double Featured Actor nominees for Wesley and Gavin?"

I had zero interest in seeing this until Wesley Taylor was cast. Rock of Ages was the first show I ever saw on Broadway, and I’ve been a fan ever since (and even further aside, It Could Be Worse exposed me to Gideon Glick so I owe him a debt of gratitude for that too). So glad he’s back on stage, and it’s great to hear he’s doing well in the role. Looking forward to checking out the show in the next few months!

Relieved by the overall positive response. Brantley's review was very fair and made great points. He probably would've spent the entire review raving about Ethan Slater if he could have - he used about a third of his word count talking about just him. Even before seeing the show you could tell: Ethan Slater's got something that you can't take your eyes off of. This is a star, folks.

Updated On: 12/4/17 at 10:12 PM

I was worried that I was actually going to have to see this until Brantley gave me an out. Thank you Ben.

So, forgive my ignorance (I haven’t seen the show). The score is technically original, right? It’s just written by a plethora of composers, most of whom are from the music industry, correct?

If the Tonys want to nominate the score, would all of the various musicians receive a nomination? How would that work?

Updated On: 12/4/17 at 10:20 PM

BroadwayConcierge said: "Brantley is pretty mixed. He gives a massive rave for Ethan Slater, and says if you're a fan of the show, you'll fall in love. If you have nothing to do with the show, though, there's not much for ya (unless you smoke weed before the show...which he says he did).

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/theater/spongebob-squarepants-broadway-musical.html"

I think you are being a little harsh. Despite having two children and a wife who watched the TV show obsessively, I have had zero interest in seeing this show until I read Ben Brantley's review. He definitely had reservations, but he raved about the production design, the lead, and Gavin Lee and he was highly favorable about the direction and choreography. He seemed indifferent to the score, and IMO seemed amused by the book (that may be an overstatement). On top of that, he said that the lead could very well be at risk of becoming as associated with this role as Alan Cumming and Carol Channing were with theirs. I saw that as a pretty incredible observation, again IMO.

Jarethan said: "...he said that the lead could very well be at risk of becoming as associated with this role as Alan Cumming and Carol Channing were with theirs. I saw that as a pretty incredible observation, again IMO."

Another thing to read into that is a vote of confidence that the show will be around long enough for such an impression to take hold.

adamgreer said: "So, forgive my ignorance (I haven’t seen the show). The score is technically original, right? It’s just written by a plethora of composers, most of whom are from the music industry, correct?

If the Tonys want to nominate the score, would all of the various musicians receive a nomination? How would that work?"

I know it happened at least once before with Urban Cowboy back in 2003.

TheQuibbler said: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryisclosing on January 14th."

Ahhh I see thanks. Like I said I’ve been gone for awhile. I noticed the sales were pretty decent this week and last. Prob because it’s closing. At any rate I don’t think family shows have it any more difficult than any other show. The success of many shows on broadway show there’s an audience for it. Whether a musical made from a cartoon will speak to them remains to be seen. (As was mentioned above, broadway prices for sponge bob may be a tough pill to swallow.). But glad to see their reviews are positive, and I wish them the best! For the sake of the cast and crew, and those who love the show, I hope it has a good run.

CPB2 said: "Jarethan said: "...he said that the lead could very well be at risk of becoming as associated with this role as Alan Cumming and Carol Channing were with theirs. I saw that as a pretty incredible observation, again IMO."

Another thing to read intothat is a vote of confidence that the show will be around long enough for such an impression to take hold."

Agreed. An unknown can't give a legendary performance in a show that doesn't stay around long enough for the legend to begin.