Kokandy Productions Presents Nickelodeon's The Spongebob Musical
This season, take the plunge into Bikini Bottom as Kokandy Productions inaugurates its 2023 season with The SpongeBob Musical under the direction of JD Caudill. The performances are set to run from June 22 to September 3, 2023, at the Chopin Theatre, located at 1543 W. Division St. in the charming Wicker Park area of Chicago. This show, described as "spectacular, effervescent," will immerse audiences in the world of one of modern pop culture's most cherished figures.
Taking center stage as the vivacious and eternally upbeat SpongeBob SquarePants is Frankie Leo Bennett. Alongside him is a diverse ensemble consisting of Sarah Patin (as Sandy Cheeks), Isabel Cecilia Garcia (as Patrick Star), Tommy Bullington (as Eugene H. Krabs), Parker Guidry (as Sheldon J. Plankton), Quinn Rigg (as Squidward Q. Tentacles), Amy Kim (as Karen the Computer), and Jennifer Ledesma (as Pearl Krabs). The Bikini Bottom chorus comprises Connar Brown, Maddison Denault, Sydney Genco, Fia Hunter, David Lipschutz, Ele Matelan, Nicky Mendelsohn, Nataki Rennie, Shane Roberie, Quinn Simmons, and Kelcy Taylor. Stand-ins include Amelia Bell, Abbey Demorow, and Kenny Miller.
The SpongeBob Musical draws inspiration from the much-adored animated series by Stephen Hillenburg and boasts a script penned by Kyle Jarrow. The musical is enriched with original scores from a galaxy of stars including Yolanda Adams, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros' Alexander Ebert, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T's, They Might Be Giants, and T.I. Additionally, it features songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny, and Andy Paley. Jonathan Coulton contributes additional lyrics, while Tom Kitt provides more music. The concept of this musical extravaganza was crafted by Tina Landau.
The storyline revolves around the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom, who are met with the daunting news of an imminent volcanic eruption threatening to obliterate their tranquil abode. SpongeBob, along with his trusty comrades, rallies to avert the calamity and safeguard their aquatic realm. As despair looms and lives teeter on the precipice, an unforeseen champion emerges. Indeed, unwavering optimism has the might to redeem the world! This exuberant musical, replete with song and dance, is poised to captivate the hearts of both the young and the young at heart.
Derek Van Barham, the Producing Artistic Director of Kokandy, shares his excitement, "We're so excited to dive into our 11th season - a season with a splash zone! We really couldn't think of a better way to spend the summer than The SpongeBob Musical, inviting Chicago into our very own Bikini Bottom. Just the mention of the show, its characters and its uplifting message are enough to brighten anyone's day. There's something for everyone in the world we're going to create. Come on in - the water's (more than) fine!"