Spongebob Tour Cast Rumor — Page 3

I won the lottery and saw Tuesday night in Nashville. The cast is phenomenal! The show was a ton of fun, and I'm excited to go back later this week when I have season tickets. I've only seen photos of the original production - this tour is quite scaled back, but the stage seemed really full and well done. I had a blast!

SIDE NOTE: Tuesday was the first performance in Nashville, The show was scheduled to start at 7:30, but the house opened around 7:20, and the actual show started around 7:45-7:50. I assume there were some technical things that held the doors. Some videos projections were a bit off (some were only halfway on the set pieces they were supposed to be hitting, and they seem to be adjusting them mid-show.) I know all of those kinks will be worked out by the time I see it later in the week. Regardless of these minor issues, the show was so much fun and still incredible.

Saw it tonight. If you loved it on Broadway, you’ll love it on tour. Conversely, if you didn’t like it on Broadway, obviously the touring production most won’t likely change your mind. Personally, I really liked it on Broadway and I really liked it tonight.

I sat front row center orchestra and had a very good time. It helped that the young lady to my left was having a very good time as well. The cast very much matches the excellence of the Broadway cast especially Lorenzo Pugliese (Spongebob) and Beau Bradshaw (Patrick Star). It’s a joyful show that still pulls on the heartstrings. I teared up toward the end of Act 2 tonight just as I did on Broadway. Lorenzo in particular is almost a doppelgänger for Ethan Slater on stage. He was phenomenal.

The set is a little different from the Broadway production as I recall, but mostly on different scale.

It’s not selling well here. When I looked backward, the orchestra appeared mostly full, but as I looked up the theatre was less and less full. The balcony was probably at least 90% empty. Even in the front row, I was able to move over one seat at intermission to leave a seat empty on either side of me.

I stagedoored. It was just me and four other people. Most of the principals plus ensemble came out, but only six, including Lorenzo and Beau, stopped to sign. I managed to get a photo with Beau. One of the ensemble members (John Cardenas) who came out said (when I asked) he had 18 costume changes tonight. I asked Lorenzo about how he stays in such top physical form (his biceps are impressive). He said he was working out prior to the tour, but developed an injury so had to stop so now the show is his workbook. I believe it. That show is quite a workout. They all seemed glad to hear that I had also seen the Broadway production and their production compares favorably.

In a nutshell, it’s not a perfect show. It’s purposeful amateurish design is endearing. The songs are fun even if they’re not Sondheim. The performers are great. The book is pretty basic. But it’s joyful and we could use more of that right now. On the way out, I heard people saying it was better than they expected. If you’re on the fence about attending, I say go.

One or two notes about front row. While I enjoyed it, you do get some smoke drifting your way from the stage. And you are blinded a couple times from the bright lights. I sat right behind the conductor/keyboardist. So was able to see up close his interaction with the cast.

Speaking of the orchestra, there really wasn’t much of one as far I could see. Just the conductor and two other people. There’s also the percussionist on stage. I wonder if some of the music is prerecorded. There is a preshow featuring the conductor on keyboard and some of the cast on stage.

In addition to references to Jesus Christ Superstar (Super Sea Star Savior) I still think ”When The Going Gets Tough” is meant to reference Hamilton. Or maybe T.I. just liberally borrowed from it. Also, during one song (I forget which) when the townsfolk are preparing to leave Bikini Bottom, there was a projection of a person fiddling on a roof...hmm...

Updated On: 11/15/19 at 02:01 AM

VotePeron said: "Miles2Go2 said: "Also, during one song (I forget which) when the townsfolk are preparing to leave Bikini Bottom, there was a projection of a person fiddling on a roof...hmm..."

Glad to hear the tour is great!

Also, this is my favorite easter egg! As the townsfolk of Bikini Bottom begin their exit of the town with their belongings, they sing "Bikini-tevka, Bikini-tevka" to the tune of "Anatevka" from Fiddler on the Roof, when they are being evicted. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, butthe Fiddler projection was something I watched for every time. So funny!"

Thanks for the report, Miles! Glad to hear it's in good shape but too bad about the sales. I think like on Broadway it's hard to market -- having seen how they're advertising the show on tour, it feels as if the kid-friendly advertising might alienate millennials who grew up with the cartoon, but would love the show if they went.

The Philly run has a digital lottery so I assume it would be a digital lottery if they offer it.

I saw the show in Philly on Tuesday and as someone who absolutely adored the show on Broadway, the tour was lacking the spark and magic it had on Broadway.

The set has been reduced to a fraction of what it used to be and it just lacks the full scope of what it felt like at the Palace. The aspects that are involved with the avalanche boulders didn't work or are just for show (I'm not really sure) so when the volcano is erupting I was waiting for the balls to be released, but it never happened. It all just felt so incredibly cheap and it broke my heart because this show had such an incredible design and to see what it's been reduced to is just sad. I understand a lot of it had to be redesigned to tour, but it just felt.. cheap.

The cast felt like cheap knock offs of their Broadway counterparts with lots of straining for notes and a feeling of lacking energy overall. The show itself is a beast, so I give them an A for effort, but it just felt flat.

I am so glad the filming they did in London is airing this weekend to allow people to see what this show really is supposed to feel and look like.

I don't want to blame all of this on the tour being non equity, but it being non equity surely didn't help.

ClumsyDude15 said: "The Philly run has a digital lottery so I assume it would be a digital lottery if they offer it.

I saw the show in Philly on Tuesday and as someone who absolutely adored the show on Broadway, the tour was lacking the spark and magic it had on Broadway.

The set has been reduced to a fraction of what it used to be and it just lacks the full scope of what it felt like at the Palace. The aspects that are involved with the avalanche boulders didn't work or are just for show (I'm not really sure) so when the volcano is erupting I was waiting for the balls to be released, but it never happened. It all just felt so incredibly cheap and it broke my heart because this show had such an incredible design and to see what it's been reduced to is just sad. I understand a lot of it had to be redesigned to tour, but it just felt.. cheap.

The cast felt like cheap knock offs of their Broadway counterparts with lots of straining for notes and a feeling of lacking energy overall. The show itself is a beast, so I give them an A for effort, but it just felt flat.

I am so glad the filming they did in London is airing this weekend to allow people to see what this show really is supposed to feel and look like.

I don't want to blame all of this on the tour being non equity, but it being non equity surely didn't help."

When I saw the tour in OKC, there were balls that definitely fell so maybe it didn’t work the night you saw it or maybe they had to nix it because of how your stage at your theater is designed.

i actually really liked the cast. They are very close approximations of the Broadway cast.

i think like most touring shows, they have to scale back stage design due to a) cost, b) having to move pieces from city to city, and c) consider each theater at what it can accommodate

I will admit that while I had a great time revisiting Bikini Bottom, I don’t feel like I need a third visit. It’s got a heart under all that style, but at the end of the day it’s more style than substance, a show about a sponge and his friends.