Musical at RCT based on animated Nickelodeon series
A musical about cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants features original songs by a wide selection of A-list performers such as Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Lady A, Sara Bareilles, Yolanda Adams, Cyndi Lauper and John Legend.
Starting Thursday, Richmond Civic Theatre presents “The SpongeBob Musical” for two weekends. It is based on Nickelodeon’s animated series that began airing in 1999.
The PG-rated stage show chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
Lincoln High School 2022 graduate Jarrin Ervin plays the title character in the musical, which is directed by Ryan Shaw.
“The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world,” according to John Faas, RCT’s executive director. “Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!”
“SpongeBob” is the No. 1 kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years. The show is seen in more than 170 countries and has an average viewer base of more than 140 million every quarter. Characters have integrated themselves into pop culture catchphrases, consumer products and social media memes.
“SpongeBob” was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle and earned the most Tony nominations — 12 — for a musical during the 2017-2018 season.
If you go
>> What: “The SpongeBob Musical”
>> When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 4-7 and 11-14
>> Where: Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St., Richmond
>> Cost: Advance, $20 adult, $17 student/senior 65+. Day of show: $22 adult, $18 senior/student.
>> Box office: Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays or one hour before curtain time. Call 765-962-1816 or online at gorct.org.