Theater Review: “The SpongeBob Musical” by Fairfield Center Stage

Fairfield - The community theater group Fairfield Center Stage presented the opening night of a two weekend run of the hit Broadway show “The Spongebob Musical” on Friday evening. The production was postponed due to the Omicron variant, which caused the group to lose their initial venue, and Fairfield Ludlowe High School saved the day by serving as host for this fun musical.

This surprisingly delightful show is adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series. The story is that SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and the rest of Bikini Bottom face total annihilation, until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. The original musical celebrates friendship, cooperation, and the power of unity and inclusion. We learn that the power of optimism really can save the world, so the show is truly for the entire family.

Director Joel Fenster writes that “these characters have families, they make friends, they join a community. They support one another. Theater is a lot like that. Life is a lot like that.”
There are a good number of families involved in the Fairfield show. “If you read the program you’ll see multiple Newsoms, Fensters, Watsons, Dahlstroms and Novins (and our Sandy is married to our stage manager.)”

The director believes that “The message of this show is one of the unique and maybe misunderstood reaching out to claim their place in this world and being accepted for who they are and not for how they look or act or present themselves.”

The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau. The book was written by Kyle Jarrow with original songs by an interesting list of composers including Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might be Giants, and T.I.

There are also songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Palent, with additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton, additional Music by Tom Kitt.

The Fairfield production features a cast and crew of local adults and children, who became an even larger family over the process of creating the show.

The all-local cast is led by the talented Marcelo Calderon in the role of SpongeBob SquarePants,. The Western CT State University graduate completely embodies the character who is not “(Just a) Simple Sponge,” with the iconic laugh, uplifting personality and constant energy.

Jacob Rogotzke shines in the great role of Patrick Star, the yellow one’s BFF, in his debut with FCS. This actor never fails to impress.

Alexis Willoughby is excellent in the role of Sandy Cheeks, the brainy “land mammal” who helps to save Bikini Bottom. A SPED teacher in real life, Willoughby shows off her amazing singing voice and stage presence in the important role. I hope to see her again on area stages.

Executive producer of FCS Eli Newsom's last musical theater role was nearly ten years ago, but now appears onstage (and manages the four-legged costume) to portray Squidward Q. Tentacles.
Brian Crook, a choir and theater director by day, dons the red claws to take on the role of Mr. Eugene H. Krabs

The mighty Ainsley Dahlstrom, a high school student that plays piano, portrays Mr. Krabs' daughter Pearl, a whale that shakes the stage every time she enters.

Jonathan David, a high school junior who aspires to be an animator, is convincingly evil as Sheldon J. Plankton and the always perfect Ashley McLeod quick-changes often to step out of the ensemble to portray Plankton’s wife, Karen the Computer. McLeod rocks some green light up shoes as part of her imaginative costume and then joins the dancers in several dances.

Steve Autore, who I remembered as Eddie/Dr. Scott in Pantochino’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” gets to interact with the audience as Patchy the Pirate and Steve Benko appears as The French Narrator. Bridgeport teacher Macelle Morrisey plays the mayor of Bikini Bottom, Vigil Watson, who worked helps the production team with various technical aspects, plays Perch Perkins, with Jacob Litt, Isiah Rodriguez and SCSU grad Aleeki Shortridge rocking out as the teeny-bopper band The Electric Skates.

Fordham University graduate Mia Tommins stands out in a big red costume as Larry the Lobster, Jim Hisey plays Old Man Jenkins, Erick Sanchez rocks the sparkles as Buster Bluefin, with second grade student CJ Newsom (in his 15th production!) and Virgil Watson IV sharing the role of Gary the Snail.

Brian Bish, the group’s media manager, makes the most of the role of Mrs. Puff in a comic book wig complete with a blue pillbox hat. Shea Frimmer (they/them) has plenty to do as the onstage Foley Artist and they manage to make it look easy. They are an actor, director, music director, producer and designer for the educational community.

Ensemble members of all ages include Ben Brennan, Emery Holden, Virginia LeVasseur, Ainsley Novin, Brianna Parkin, Josiah Perez, Ryan Romero, Aleeki Shortridge, Sadie Smith, Alyvia Tuason, and Rita Watson.

The all-local production staff includes the tight direction by Joel Fenster and music direction by Benjamin Doyle. The choreography by Lindsay Johnson adds a lot to the many production numbers and scenic design by Kevin Pelkey is bright and functional. Costume Design by Natasha Fenster, and wig designers Gina Lariccia and Alexis Wiloughby worked together to paint a wonderfully colorful and sound design by Chris Gensur was very good. The lighting design by John Meyer Edward was a bit uneven, but definitely had some highlights.

The orchestra seated in front of the stage includes Doyle on keyboard, Gabe Nappi on drums, Charles Casimiro on bass, Kale Heidemann on reeds, and an (uncredited) musician on guitars, ukulele, and banjo.

Fairfield Center Stage, led by Artistic Director Christy McIntosh-Newsom & Executive Producer Eli Newsom, is a 501(c)3 organization that utilizes local artists and staff from Fairfield County. Inspired by the concept of environmental theater, the group aims to put Fairfield “center stage,” by highlighting several of the town’s unique venues. Fairfield Center Stage states its mission as leading a culturally diverse collective of local artists to provide a quality, accessible, and affordable theater arts experience for the community, by the community.

For additional information about Fairfield Center Stage, visit www.fairfieldcenterstage.org
The 2022/2023 season opens in September with “La Cage aux Folles” at Trevi Lounge and continues with the fifth annual “A Christmas Carol Experience” at Burr Mansion.

The fine print: Reserved center orchestra seating is available for $25-30. Discounted General Admission (sides and rear locations) is available for $20 for adults (13+) and $15 for kids 12 and under. General admission is first-come, first-served when the house opens (approximately 30 minutes before showtime). Per current local CDC guidelines for June 2022 in Fairfield County, audience members will be required to wear masks while inside the theater/immediate seating area at all performances. This is in order to best serve the production’s ability to remain open with unmasked performers onstage. The lobby area is an exception to this policy, where concessions will be available pre-show and at intermission. The house staff will also have complimentary disposable masks available at the door.

The show continues for two weekends at Fairfield Ludlowe High School Auditorium. Tickets ($15-30) are available for sale at www.fairfieldcenterstage.org. Performances are Fridays June 17 & 24 at 7:30pm, and Saturdays June 18 & 25 at both 2pm & 7pm. Performances will be presented indoors at Fairfield Ludlowe High School Auditorium, 785 Unquowa Rd in Fairfield (free onsite parking lots). Seating begins approximately 30 minutes before showtime. The approximate running time of SPONGEBOB... is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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