My SpongeBob Musical review
Yes, he is just a simple sponge.
When the SpongeBob musical soundtrack was released in 2017, there was a lot of conversation about it. People were confused about why it exists, parents were praying that their kids never heard about it so they never had to take them to see it, David Bowie wrote a song for it, etc.. So when this musical first released the soundtrack on streaming, I listened to it out of curiosity. Truthfully, I really liked it and listened to a few of the songs pretty regularly (I’d say for a few months or so). A few years later, they were showing a professional recording of the musical on PBS or something, and I watched it with some friends at a sleepover. We didn’t get through it all because they didn’t like it.
But I really did!
Ethan Slater has been a popular celebrity for the last year, because of his connections to Ariana Grande. And it’s not just a connection, it’s a controversy. He got roasted a lot for starring in the SpongeBob musical, as well as just being relatively easy to make fun of. His most recent screen breakthrough as Boq from the Wicked movie has not helped his track record, either.
I just wanted to watch the SpongeBob musical because I remembered that I never saw the ending and it was important for whatever reason that I saw it.
It did take me two nights to finish it, but I don’t think that impacted my opinion. But I have to be honest, I liked it less after watching it.
First, I have to give big-time kudos to Ethan Slater, Danny Skinner, Lilli Cooper, and actually just everyone who was part of this musical. It’s hard to be part of such a silly show and not feel ridiculous about it. They stuck to it, and I commend them. Fortunately or unfortunately for them, their roles were not long lasting, as the musical was no longer on Broadway after 2018.
Ok into the actual review…
The first song is “Bikini Bottom Day,” and it’s a really good introduction song! It starts with SpongeBob waking up, then feeding his pet Gary. Then as he goes to the Krusty Krab, we get to meet some of the other characters. SpongeBob is easily one of the most annoying characters ever invented, but his high spirits were contagious! He’s lowkey just happy to be here in the world renowned, and I love that for him.
When they get to Patrick’s verse, they really nailed his character. He is dumb and lazy (but also incredibly intelligent?), and his lyrics and acting choices on Skinner’s end are just incredible. I could not be more amazed by him! His “nothing rhymes with rock; it’s a typical bikini bottom day” is just adorable, I love it.
Squidward is just as nasal and annoyed as he could be; and his costume (pictured below) is incredible! It was a really creative way to incorporate that he has tentacles. They do a lot with this throughout the musical, and it’s really fun.
The whole plot of this musical, by the way, is that there is a volcano called Mount Humongous that is about to erupt. There is a divide between who wants to believe the Mayor and other politicians, or Sandy’s scientific strategies.
There is one song that is really adorable and I just love it. It’s called “BFF,” and it’s just SpongeBob and Patrick affirming their friendship and dancing about it. Very wholesome. This also showcased Slater and Skinner’s great harmony and singing chemistry. We get a fun bubble sequence, too.
Karen and Plankton’s costumes are really unique and they get to play with that a bit throughout the show. It’s a creative way to show that Plankton has one eye, and yes the little Plankton toy stays with them! Karen being a person who looks robotic and tech heavy, while moving the monitor with her is really fascinating! I like their romantic dynamic, too.
Overall, what I liked about this musical is how silly and on-the-nose it is, but it was still fun to watch. It’s also very unique from other musicals IN MY OWN OPINION because the characters are so different. I’d say the two other Broadway musicals that have similarly creative costumes are Lion King and Cats; just because Lion King has puppets which is cool, and Cats is just the people are dressed as cats. But the costumes in SpongeBob really embrace the traits of each character. There is no confusion at all who is who.
I’m most amazed by Sandy’s costume. Instead of a helmet, her afro holds that shape. It’s really cool, right? A similar costume design is for Pearl, whose squared head is actually her hair, too! Plankton’s eye-patch is creative, and again Squidward’s legs are great.
Also, a lot of the effects and props are done by the cast. There was a foley artist who was incredible, and there was a lot of interactions between the cast and retrieving/disposing of props with the orchestra director. This was really unique!
I liked that the ending song is “Best Day Ever,” because that is what really connects it to the show. It’s a cute song, and they changed some of the lyrics to reflect how grateful they all felt to survive the volcano eruption.
Some things I didn’t like about this musical are very nitpicky and probably just rude. Sometimes it felt too on-the-nose (which I know I praised earlier, but this time it’s the bad parts…). Of course, they had to reference the “imagination” thing, which didn’t bother me I just wish they didn’t do it. Another reference that is equally as iconic, if not more, was “is mayonnaise an instrument”. The only reason I didn't like this was because I feel like they set up the charity concert thing specifically for that joke. It’s just not funny to me like who even cares what I think about that though bruh😭
Next, I’m not sure if this happens at every show or just the recording, but I immediately dislike a stage performance (like a musical or play, not a concert) that BREAKS THE FOURTH WALL!!! WHO DO THEY DO THIS!!! It’s not long or funny enough for it to be worth it, truly. I really hope they didn’t do this at every show.
There were certain aspects, like the fourth wall breaking and the cast members running down the aisles that made this feel less like a Broadway musical and more of a cheugy megachurch performance.
However, I must admit, watching it didn’t make me want to yank my eyeballs out, so I guess it was fine. I’d probably watch it again, but I can’t see myself in a situation anytime soon where I’d do that.
Official rating: 5.5/10
Song ranking:
Bikini Bottom Day
No Control
BFF
When the Going Gets Tough
Just a Simple Sponge
Daddy Knows Best
Hero Is My Middle Name
Super Sea Star Savior
Tomorrow Is
Poor Pirates
Bikini Bottom Boogie
Chop to the Top
7. (I Guess I) Miss You
I’m Not a Loser
Best Day Ever
Thanks for reading this dumb blog lol I have made it my goal this year to just talk about the things I like (or don’t) so this is the first thing I felt compelled to write about.