by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur High School auditorium briefly transformed into the whimsical, underwater world of Bikini Bottom for the stage adaptation of “SpongeBob The Musical” on March 22-23.
“SpongeBob the Musical,” also known as “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,” is a Broadway stage show that premiered in 2016 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. The musical is an adaptation of the classic children’s cartoon that debuted in 1999 and has run successfully for several decades until the present day. The GHS Production was produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, and is based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, and the book by Kyle Jarrow.
GHS Musical Director/Choreographer Emily Bason welcomed all in attendance. “I am just so excited, and so proud of all the hard work and dedication that we have from our cast this year,” she said. “We have a lot of new faces. I am really pleased with the talent that we have, and the work that they have done.”
Mrs. Bason also took a moment to extend appreciation to the show’s music director Kathleen Buell, alongside assistant music director Paul Buell. Mrs. Buell will retire on June 30, 2024 from her position as an elementary teacher in the Gouverneur Central School District after 35 years of dedicated service. “This is her final show with us,” Mrs. Bason said, and reported that Mrs. Buell has been involved in 38 productions. Mrs. Bason then lauded Mrs. Buell for her pride and dedication to the Gouverneur CSD students, to music, and for sharing her love and passion for music.
“SpongeBob the Musical” centers around the chaos that ensues when Mount Humungus threatens to erupt and destroy Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob (GHS Senior Faith Leader), Patrick (GHS Senior Sylvia French), and Sandy (Charley Newvine) try to stop the impending disaster while capitalist rivals Mr. Krabbs (Tiamane Hull) and Plankton (GHS Senior Zaphire Hall) compete to profit off the chaos. Meanwhile, Squidward (GHS Senior Emalyn Kulp) plots to use the terrible situation to achieve his dreams of fame and fortune. Other cast members include the following: Patchy (Abigail Lucas), Security Guard/Gary/Larry (Jaylynn Dalton), French Narrator (Malique Zeller), Pearl (Paige Kirby), Karen (Hannah Roderick), Mayor (Alexis Dake), Mrs. Puff (Akaysha Shippee-Ray), Old Man Jenkins/Electric Skate (Laina Kurdziel), Perch Perkins (Amirian House-Bowman), Electric Skates (Nate Celley, GHS Senior Hayley Burt, Reigna Belcher). The ensemble (sardines, anemones, pirates, and townfish) included Janika Babcock, Alexis Biribauer, Abriana Casey, Kylie Gallagher, Amelia (Onyx) Hendershot, Serenity Whitmarsh.
The two-act play had musical numbers, featuring original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, and more. The musical numbers were exceptionally performed by the GHS students, from the very first song, “Bikini Bottom to Day.” Other beloved songs including: “Best Day Ever,” “No Control,” “(Just A) Simple Sponge,” “Poor Pirates,” “Bikini Bottom Boogie,” “Chop To The Top,” “(I Guess I) Miss You,” “I’m Not A Loser,” and more. Thunderous applause sounded for the GHS students, as they showcased their vocal and acting talents on the GHS auditorium stage.
The audiences were easily immersed into the “under-the-sea” world of Bikini Bottom, thanks to the creative set design by GHS Art Teacher Robert Decker and the set and prop construction by Carly Bartholomew and Gianna Manning. The crew also included the following: Stage Managers (GHS Senior Destiny Blair, Mya Connor), Stage Crew (Carly Bartholomew, GHS Senior Destiny Blair, Hope Cardinell, Cassidy Chambers, Mya Connor, Michael (Alex) Moon), Lighting Directors (Madison Hopper, RJ Kulp), Sound Technicians (Gavin Davis, Kaden Wells, and Dallas Doxtater), Slides (Tony Fiacco), Costume Director (Meaghan Matthews), Social Media Director Abigail Lucas.
The production was made possible due to the generous contributions from the following individuals: Hairdressers (Emile Jesmer, Kathy Stamper, Alicia Reed, Southwest Tech BOCES Cosmetology Students), Make-Up (Melissa Terpstra, Amanda Cox), Box Office (Laurel Bartholomew, Shawn Kirby), Ushers (GHS National Honor Society and Key Club Members), Publicity and Programs (Emily Bason, Cast and Crew of SpongeBob, Sylvia French and Charley Newvine, Photographer Gidget Wainwright.
Special appreciation was also extended to the parents of the cast and crew, the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Gouverneur CSD Superintendent Jackie Kelly, GHS Principal Cory Wood, GHS Assistant Principal Nicole Donaldson, GHS Custodial Staff, Tammy Mullin and Michelle Hassett, Lisa Dunkelberg, Shawn Typhair, Michael Bason, Mark Tyler, Kiera Matthews, The Gouverneur Tribune Press, St. James School, Gouverneur Elementary and Middle School, Kinney Drugs, WWNY-TV, The Flower Girls, NNY Custom Printing, among others.
“SpongeBob the Musical” was largely similar to SpongeBob the cartoon in its humor and storytelling, and the essence of the iconic characters remained the same. The biggest difference was that the actors were not put in “mascot costumes” to preserve the illusion that these characters are talking squirrels, starfish, and more. Instead, they are portrayed as human beings with costumes that largely reflect the character designs of the original cartoon. The audiences were impressed with the colorful stage production, and the plot which contained several heavy satirization and critiques of issues like capitalism, greed, environmental issues, and the government. A big theme that occurred throughout the musical is the discrimination faced by Sandy Cheeks, a land squirrel from Texas, for being different from her sea creature pals.
The cast and crew of the GHS Production of “SpongeBob The Musical” received standing ovations for showcasing their musical and acting talents on the GHS auditorium stage. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit www.gcsk12.org.
The Gouverneur Recreation Department also encouraged all local youths to participate in the week-long Missoula Children’s Theatre Camp in Gouverneur on July 22-27, 2024 at the Gouverneur High School. The 2024 Performance is “Sleeping Beauty.” Registration begins May 4, and is open to all youths in grades Kindergarten through Grade 12. Advanced registration is required, and there is limited availability. For more information, call Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell at 315-287-0524.