Delaware Children’s Theatre continues its season with “The SpongeBob Musical,” inspired by the recent Broadway production and based on the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon.
“If you ever saw the Broadway version and this version, there [are] real differences,” says Carina Czipoth, the show’s assistant director. “[The Broadway musical] kind of leaned more into setting themselves apart from the cartoon, whereas we were like ‘Let’s lean in, baby!’”
Kenn Koubek, the director of the show, agrees, citing the 25th anniversary of the cartoon as a major focal point for his vision. “A lot of the visuals that we’re doing, a lot of the sight gags that we’re doing with the cast, were to really try to capture the spirit and the fun of the cartoon and to bring it to our audiences on stage,” says Koubek, who doubles as Painty the Pirate, from the iconic SpongeBob opening theme, facilitating humorous gags before, during, and after the show.
He encourages audiences to experience the world of Bikini Bottom, citing the show’s emphasis on technical wizardry.
“We really tried to engage the senses with this show,” says Koubek, who began volunteering at the theater in 2008, primarily as a video editor and animator, and purposefully designed the stage with immersive sets and effects. “The way we have the overhang when you come in, and then you come in under the bubbles, it’s like you’re riding the tide into Bikini Bottom.”
From a dolphin prop hanging off the ceiling to Squidward’s extra pair of legs (or tentacles) to a real-life replica of Plankton’s computer wife, Karen, the show features a multitude of creative gags and props. In addition, the show utilizes exclusively recycled materials.
Dale Martin, who plays Patrick Star, SpongeBob’s dimwitted BFF, commends Koubek’s prowess with the set design and the show’s many one-of-a-kind features. “We have a lot of different technical aspects,” Martin says. “The great part about working with Kenn is that he’s got all kinds of different computer aesthetics, and he’s got the lighting. That whole backdrop [you’ll get to see], he has it backlit with the images of the actual scenery from the cartoon.”
Running through May 4, the show also features a handful of revered SpongeBob musical numbers, such as “Bikini Bottom Day,” “(Just A) Simple Sponge,” and “Best Day Ever,” showcasing the production’s tight choreography and audio design.
Martin has a deep admiration for both the production and the theater, calling it “a tight family group.” “There are theater families, and then this is more like a family of theater,” he says.
The show features 14 crew members, 11 of whom are children, and 28 cast members, 22 of whom are children. Two of those children are Thomas Murray, who plays SpongeBob SquarePants, and Jade Robinson, who plays Sandy Cheeks.
For Murray, the show’s lead, this is his first community theater role. “I watched SpongeBob growing up throughout my entire life, and I was always compared to him,” Murray says. “I, just as a person, am very energetic and loud, so it didn’t take much preparation.”
Robinson trained hard for the show. “To get the accent down, I had to listen to YouTube videos,” she says. I had to write stuff down in my script and change my wording. And then, a lot of my stuff is word salad. It’s a lot of stuff I don’t know what I’m talking about,” she says with a laugh.
Murray and Robinson have bubbly personalities and enthusiastic energies, sporting big smiles and countless giggles before, throughout, and after the show. When asked about her experience on set, Robinson only had positive things to say.
“It’s been great,” Robinson says. “All these kids are like my family. I love being here.”
Delaware Children’s Theatre is at 1014 Delaware Ave. in Wilmington. Tickets for “The SpongeBob Musical” can be found at dechildrenstheatre.org.
