SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Previews — Page 6

i was center MEZZ row D last night and it was a great view! I wouldn't want to be too close because there's so much going on and it's a massive set.

I saw the show tonight and thought it was a ton of fun. In fact I haven't seen a broadway audience have that much fun ever - the energy was amazing. And it wasn't just the kids. The ones that are getting the biggest thrills are the millenials who, I assume, grew up watching the tv show. The set is FANTASTIC. The songs are catchy and the cast is great; Ethan Slater is outstanding. I really hope this catches on and stays for a while. It's a nice change of pace from the Disney shows to be sure.

Saw the show tonight, and so many thoughts. Years from now, this show will be done by community theatres and schools and will be a money-maker that way, but at the moment, oy. The cast worked their butts off and, of course, were super talented (although I didn't love Sandy), the costumes and sets were so creative (which is part of the reason I think it'll be a success in regional theatres), but the plot and songs just weren't strong enough.

I get that it's Spongebob and not Shakespeare, but the jokes and songs in the first act were painful. Not a tuneful song in the bunch. I guess "BFF" was okay, but "okay" isn't really what I'm looking for in a Broadway musical. It did get better in the second act with catchier songs and loose ends being tied up, but I still had a bad taste in my mouth from earlier.

I ran into friends there of three generations - grandma, mom, and son. All were bored. Even a theater-goer on the other side seemed disinterested by yelling "Let's go!" as the countdown happened at the end of the show. I wish them luck because that cast really is working hard and deserve genuine applause, but the show itself isn't doing them any favors.

They couldn't give tickets away in Chicago and the theatre was half empty when I was there. It was on Goldstar for every performance. I am unsure how they didn't factor that in to the demand for this show. Unless it has been completely retooled (which it sounds like it hasn't) I'm not sure what the producers are expecting. This is a niche show that probably should have just toured.

Bettyboy72 said: "They couldn't give tickets away in Chicago and the theatre was half empty when I was there. It was on Goldstar for every performance. I am unsure how they didn't factor that in to the demand for this show. Unless it has been completely retooled (which it sounds like it hasn't) I'm not sure what the producers are expecting. This is a niche show that probably should have just toured."



To be fair, the Oriental is a much bigger theater than even the Palace, the audience is much smaller in Chicago, and plenty of shows take a bath on their out-of-town tryouts there.

Two thoughts:

1. Has anyone seen the new commercial for the show? It's bright, it's quirky, and it's like theatre acid. Lol!

2. Do you suppose it would have been beneficial to incorporate original songs that were actually in the TV series? ("Sweet Victory?" "This Kitchen's Not the Same?" "Campfire Song Song?"

I went in expecting to be entertained and amused by a show that captures the absurdist and anarchic, but good-natured, spirit of a cartoon. And I totally was. As an stage adaptation of a cartoon as surreal and silly as SpongeBob Squarepants, this is absolutely successful.

Yes, the show tries to give every recognizable character from the series stuff to do and ultimately that means it is overstuffed and unfocused. The songs get the slightest of setups and give no insight into character and don't move the plot forward. ...But it's Spongebob. Adjust your expectations accordingly. In many ways, it feels like an early musical comedy from the 30s/40s, in which the plot is nothing but a frame on which songs and moments hang. Unsurprisingly, I think Jonathan Coulton and They Might Be Giants contributed the most successful "theatre" songs (I would love to see Coulton do more theatre work, actually, as he is very adept at writing character-driven material). And a lot of it worked for me, however silly and slight. Only Jon Rua's inexplicably accented and subdued pirate failed to really click. A really magnetic comedic character actor is needed there, and Rua just isn't that.

The found object and DIY-feel of the design offers no end of creativity- the abstract and evocative take on undersea life was more interesting than something more literal (I especially liked the ensemble woman who wore a dress of rubber gloves). It also harkened back to real 90s Nickelodeon programming, especially the game/competition shows. Landau also offers up one surprising and delightful staging moment after another, and the sound design and live foley artist really tie things together.

Ethan Slater is really giving a star turn- an intensely physical and charming performance. Gavin Lee is certainly a standout, and Jai'Len Christine Li Josey as Pearl manages to steal every moment she is given with her powerhouse vocals (and was a clear audience favorite because of them). If we must get a Dreamgirls revival, well, there's the real pick for Effie.

And hey- I appreciate that they managed to work in a message about accepting immigrants and the power of science.

Updated On: 11/22/17 at 09:55 AM

Has anyone sat in either of the side orchestra sections for this? I had right side orchestra seat N 2 for the matinee next Wednesday, 11/29, but the show has been cancelled. That seat isn't availablefor my backup date, but M 1 and M 2 are open. Can anyone comment about the sightlines from row M on either side, or would seat N 4 be preferable?

Updated On: 11/22/17 at 09:14 PM

CT2NYC said: "Has anyone sat in either of the side orchestra sections for this? I had right side orchestra seat N 2 for the matinee next Wednesday, 11/29, but the show has been cancelled. That seat isn't availablefor my backup date, but M 1 and M 2 are open. Can anyone comment about the sightlines from row M on either side, or would seat N 4 be preferable?"

If stat closer to the aisle, so I'd take m1

How can a Spongebob Musical be amazing?! With this crazy and dark world, this is the ultimate escape and pick-me-up. Brilliant and so so damn uplifting. I say this is a lock for Best Scenic Design, Best Direction, Best Sound Design, and Best Lighting Design.

The whole cast was incredible. No matter how underwritten their characters were (believe me, there were a lot! More on that in a sec), all of the actors pulled it off. Every single person was a star, but Ethan Slater (Spongebob) and Gavin Lee (Squidward) were so spectacular and they deserve every award and nomination that will come to them. This is the perfect Broadway debut for Ethan. He is doing fantastic work, character-wise, vocal-wise, and physical-wise. His energy and sweetness are contagious. Gavin's acting for Squidward is fun and spot-on, but his dancing in I'm Not a Loser is phenomenal. I say both of them could easily win Tonys, depending on the competition. Other favorites are Kelvin Moon Loh (his bass is so cool!), Wesley Taylor as Plankton, and Stephanie Hsu as Karen. I like Carlos Lopez as Mr. Krabs in the cast album, but Brian Ray Norris's voice is so uncanny as the one in the show. Like others have said, Jai'len is amazing as Pearl! Can't wait to see what she does next.

My problem with the show is the book. They do have great jokes that are original and from the show (The "is mayonnaise an instrument" line from the TV show was met with cheers). The FIDDLER ON THE ROOF reference was brilliant and I was laughing for a solid minute. They have so many plots together that is a somewhat jumbled mess. They did fix some of the problems with cutting a lot of Patchy time (I still think they should have cut him altogether) and thankfully expanded Plankton & Karen's roles (Wesley and Stephanie are so excellent and hilarious together! BIG GUY!), but the structure is still a little bit complicated with Plot A, Plot B, Plot C etc. I also thought some of the characters were extremely unwritten. Patrick is my favorite character in the TV show and I thought he was so badly-written. I don't know if Patrick was too whiny or if something was missing from him. But, like I said: the actors made every role work. Danny nearly makes up for the writing; he is really funny and quick as Patrick. It doesn't help at all that they cut Patrick's verse in BFF. I also don't like that Mr. Krabs doesn't change. He may recognize his daughter more, but he still prefers money over her and the town at the end. Also, I also thought some of the politic jokes and the anti-prejudice messages were weird and forced. It was the show trying to be hip and it doesn't work. At all.

But, the show is really a great time and it's something that we do need right now. Ethan's performance is especially not to be missed. I highly recommend doing your Spongebob research before seeing the show because you won't get some things like Patchy.

greenifyme2 said: "What was the Fiddler reference? I’m surprised I missed that!"

When the residents are abandoning Bikini Bottom, it's referencing "Anatevka," and one of the projections shows a fiddler on a roof.