‘The SpongeBob Musical’ to Feature Song Written By David Bowie

A song written by David Bowie will be featured in SpongeBob Squarepants’ first stage musical, which makes its world premiere in Chicago’s Oriental Theatre on June 7 ahead of a Broadway run in the upcoming later this year.

“The SpongeBob Musical” will feature of score made up of a dozen of original songs penned by some of music's biggest stars, including Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, John Legend, Plain White T’s, Panic! at the Disco, Lady Antebellum, T.I., They Might be Giants, The Flaming Lips and “Kinky Boots” composer Cyndi Lauper.

Putting it all together will be composer Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”), who will serve as the musical's music supervisor. Steppenwolf member Tina Landau co-conceived the project, and will also direct.

The original story, by playwright Kyle Jarrow, will follow SpongeBob as he sets out to rescue his underwater town of Bikini Bottom from the eruption of a volcano named Mount Humongous.

Playing the optimistic sea sponge will be newcomer Ethan Slater, while “Spring Awakening” alum Lilli Cooper will play deep sea-diving squirrel Sandy Cheeks. Other principal roles, including Patrick Star, Squidward and Mr. Krabs, will be announced shortly.

And don’t expect to see SpongeBob like you see him walking around Times Square. Characters in “The SpongeBob Musical” will be depicted in a non-literal, human fashion, with a suggestive character design applied.

Created by Steve Hillenburg, “SpongeBob SquarePants” premiered on Nickelodeon in July 1999, and spent 13 consecutive years as the most-watched animated program for kids. It’s currently seen in over 185 countries, and translated in more than 50 languages.