Theater Review: 'The SpongeBob Musical' by City Youth Theater/City Stage Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

City Youth Theater/City Stage Company is heading to a pineapple under the sea with “The SpongeBob Musical” with “big chaos, bigger bubbles” at Crosby High School in Waterbury. Performances continue through April 12.

“The Spongebob Musical” is of course based upon the television series by Stephen Hillenburg and has a fun book written by Kyle Jarrow and original songs by an eclectic mix of contemporary pop and rock artists including Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Plain White T’s, and David Bowie. The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau, who also did the original direction.

The story is that “when a volcanic eruption threatens the very existence of Bikini Bottom, an unlikely hero rises to the occasion, SpongeBob SquarePants, along with his friends Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, and the entire underwater community, must work together to stop disaster and save their home. Along the way, they discover that courage, creativity, and believing in one another can make the impossible possible.”

Shelby C. Davis, executive director and founder of CYT/CSC, notes that theater powerfully brings people together and this musical “does exactly that. Beneath its bright colors, infectious music, and underwater adventures is a story about friendship, courage, resilience, and the importance of believing in yourself and one another.”

Cole Urso directs the cast for his favorite show that he saw on Broadway several times and has performed in twice. He set out to explore the tie between imagination and recycled materials in order to give his production a fresh and interesting feel. “By using recycled and repurposed objects to bring Bikini Bottom to life, we can effectively convey that their world exists solely because of the discarded items that end up in the ocean.” Urso earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from WCSU in 2019 and this is the first time he has worked with CYT/CSC.

The director writes that the themes that were relevant during the 2017 Broadway run continue to be relevant today. “These themes include racial prejudice, media, and political manipulation, greed and exploitation fueled by fear and, of course, how the power of optimism, empathy, and community can save the day.”

The director encourages Spencer Meucci to fully embody the cartoon role of the upbeat title character. Meucci, who is based in Plainville, nails the physicality and voice of the character and sings wonderfully. The talented performer’s recent credits include Percy Jackson in “The Lightning Thief” and Gangster #2 in “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Aliza Clark of New Haven is a strong Sandy Cheeks (“Chop to the Top” by Lady Antebellum) the brilliant land mammal who is proficient in karate. Charles Forte is adorably dim in the role of SpongeBob’s “BFF” Patrick Star (“Is mayonnaise an instrument?”) Jonah Lopez, a senior at Terryville High School, shines in the role of Squidward Q. Tentacles, making it look easy to move on two pairs of legs while yearning to play his clarinet.

Robert Wiener, whom I confronted when he played the role of Peter in the Arts at Angeloria’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” is a delight to watch in the role of the scheming Sheldon J. Plankton. The seasoned performer has been seen on many stages in CT and is charmingly evil in the role of the show’s villain, rapping in the hip hop number “When the Going Gets Tough” by T.I..

Robert Santoli (Wilbur in “Hairspray”) is part of his third production with this group and is a great Eugene H. Krabs. The multi-talented, Halo Award-winning Lilah Pape makes her CYT debut in the role of his teen daughter Pearl, a huge fan of the rock group The Electric Skates.

Alexis Dasher works well with Wiener bringing a computer to life in the role of Karen. Michael Cordero of New Britain opens the show as Patchy the Pirate and also dances in the ensemble. Shawn Murray plays the reporter fish Perch Perkins and Grace Snowden of Sandy Hook takes on the political role of The Mayor of Bikini Bottom.

Jeila Luz Norales dons the royal blue pillbox hat to play Mrs.Puff, as well as appearing in the pirate and sardine ensemble and as a Patrick rock singer. Brian Ly (“Elf” at 7A) takes on the role of Gary, Larry the Lobster and the Pittsburgh pirate, and the voice of Zack Federici can be heard as the French Narrator.

Jeffrey Moffat, in his first musical, plays Old Man Jenkins, only because the director asked him very nicely. Amari Rodriguez appears as Electric Skate 1 and a sea creature and Leonato Jones joins him as Electric Skate 3. Dance Captain Kaylyn Terry stands out as the second Electric Skate on a skate board and a sea creature. It shows that Terry has more than 13 years of stage experience and is trained in both dance and acrobatics. The dance ensemble, who get to tap with Plankton, includes Cordero, Faith Petteway, Terry and Zariya Paige of Norwalk.

The Sea Creatures of Bikini Bottom ensemble include Aaliyah Allen, Amari Rodriguez, Clarinda Coicou of Waterbury, Petteway, Terry, Leah Marie (“Legally Blonde.”) Jones, Cordero, Nick Panella and Paige.

CT native Shannon Sobolow is part of her first season with CYT/CSC in the role of the music director. She runs the musical tracks as she conducts the singers directly in front of the Crosby stage and also gets to help with some of the props. The solos showed off the many fabulous singing voices and the choral singing was excellent. Kim Saltzman “The Producers” and “Head Over Heels” with CTC) works with the troupe for the first time as the choreographer. The dancing is joyful and well-executed by every member of the cast.

Kody Mileski also works with this group for the first time and has designed a set that takes us under the sea with the repurposed materials. The two-level scenic design is augmented with two rolling staircases that are used frequently and effectively.

The costumer Suzil Von, who makes her CYT/CSC debut, has brought together loads of clever adaptations of the cartoon outfits. Plankton is decked out in a deep green velvet suit and black eyepatch, while Pearl the Whale is dressed in a floaty pink dress and sneakers. Colorful and fun, every costume ensemble is a delight to see on the stage that is well-lit by Josh Amy in his debut with this company. There was an annoying flickering of lights along the front of the house that was probably a result of the Crosby lighting system that never resolved.

Brionna Ingraham of Middletown, who works with the students at East Haven Middle School, also makes her CTY/CSC debut. Corrie Aldrich, who recently moved to the area, works as sound designer/engineer; there were a few minor issues on opening night.

Go to Waterbury, CT for this family-friendly adventure and experience the magic of Bikini Bottom brought to life on the Crosby High School stage. Performances run April 2-12. Tickets:thecyt.com