SpongeBob SquarePants is making the move from his pineapple under the sea to the Great White Way, in a new musical set to open at Broadway's Palace Theatre on Dec. 4. Previews begin Nov. 6.
The new musical, titled "SpongeBob SquarePants," will follow the popular Nickelodeon character and his band of friends in a new journey set to original songs from some of music’s biggest names — including David Bowie, John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Lady Antebellum, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Additionally, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, Panic! At the Disco, Yolanda Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Dirty Projectors, Jonathan Coulton and The Flaming Lips will also write new songs to fill out the score. Music supervision will come from Tony winner Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”), with Kyle Jarrow (“Whisper House”) providing the show's book.
Leading the cast in the title role is Broadway newcomer Ethan Slater, who is reprising the role after its tryout at Chicago's Oriental Theatre last spring.
A few of his other Chicago castmates will join him as well, including "Mary Poppins" alum (and Tony nominee) Gavin Lee as Squidward, "Spring Awakening" alum Lilli Cooper as Sandy Cheeks, and another Broadway newbie Danny Skinner as Patrick.
The full cast will be announced at a later date. A cast recording has already been created and will be released soon.
The "SpongeBob Squarepants" musical is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau (“Superior Donuts”), who avoided using prostheses or over-sized costumes to bring the animated characters to life. “[SpongeBob’s] the classic underdog hero,” she explained in a release in August 2015. “Our production sets him on a hero’s journey with real stakes, all the while retaining the show’s trippy humor and irreverence.”
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For tickets and information, visit spongebobbroadway.com.
