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Whiting guy and 1998 Bishop Noll graduate Scot Kokandy knows how host an audience escape from the everyday world.
Last spring, he guided guests through his dark and beautifully brooding run of “Sweeney Todd,” and this summer, his theatre company’s 2023 season is making waves with his splashy production of “The SpongeBob Musical,” directed by JD Caudill, playing now through Sept. 3 in the basement stage venue at The Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
Inspired by the Nickelodeon animated series which hit in May 1999, I was already nearly 29 years old when these zany and likable characters, who reside in the ocean floor community of Bikini Bottom, became the beloved TV pals of a new generation of cable cartoon young fans. It makes me (almost) wish I had children, who would have introduced me as one of the parental viewers who also seem know all of the character’s names by heart.
And note, Chicago Tribune’s own chief theater critic Chris Jones highlighted this new production of “SpongeBob” on his sonar back pre-summer in May 2023, as one of his “Chicago theater top 10 for Summer 2023,” highlighting that Kokandy’s spin with “SpongeBob” marks the first local production of the musical since it had it’s summer 2016 “test the waters” presented by Broadway in Chicago before setting sail for New York and Broadway.
This entertainingly intimate “SpongeBob” stars Frankie Leo Bennett who is squarely perfectly cast, including cartoon voice and wide-eyed enthusiasm as the squooshy title character. He’s in great (and talented company) with Sarah Patin as swimming squirrel Sandy Cheeks and as pointed pal, Isabel Cecilia García playing Patrick Starfish, all three navigating the watery depths against fun foils like Tommy Bullington as restaurant obsessed Eugene H. Krabs, Parker Guidry as plotting Sheldon J. Plankton, Quinn Rigg as grouchy Squidward Q. Tentacles, Amy Yesom Kim as cold water circuited Karen the Computer and Jennifer Ledesma, who is a certain scene star as whiny sperm whale spoiled daughter Pearl Krabs.
The rest of the underwater party consists of waterproof ensemble Connar Brown, Maddison Denault, Sydney Genco, Fia Hunter, David Lipschutz, Ele Matelan, Nicky Mendelsohn, Nataki Rennie, Shane Roberie, Quinn Simmons and Kelcy Taylor.
The animated series was created by Stephen Hillenburg with this show book by Kyle Jarrow, and starring a tidal wave of original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt. The 2016 unveiled musical production was conceived by Tina Landau.
Using clever everyday props, assorted items and lots of imagination, Kokandy’s crew effectively tells the tale of the threatening undersea volcano which in 48 hours could destroy the water world (grilled pineapple?) of SpongeBob and Co.
Kokandy Producing Artistic Director Derek Van Barham was eager to lead the way for this landmark show challenge and adapting to a small audience space to herald in the Kokandy Company’s 11th season.
The production team includes Jonathan Berg-Einhorn, who more than kept his head above water, as the clever scenic designer and Jakob Abderhalden showcasing a parade of colors and customized “looks” for his costume designer. G “Max” Maxin IV as lighting designer and Mike Patrick for sound design, with Patrick McGuire’s properties design and Steve Labedz for projection design, are the reason audiences are so easily transported undersea.
Lolly Extract adds to the fun with spot-on puppets and Sydney Genco has makeup covered as does Keith Ryan for wig design. Ele Matelan has her own sideshow throughout as the Foley Design for theatrical sound effects, all introduced as a show spotlight element.
It’s all an undersea ticket buried treasure for both young and old audiences alike.
Tickets are $40 with a $30 students and senior price available at bit.ly/SpongeBobChicago
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.
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July 13, 2023 at 06:27AM
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Kokandy's 'SpongeBob' bubbles over with fun stage TV nostalgia - Chicago Tribune
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