“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!” A phrase that opens the theme song for the iconic show that has now been entertaining children and adults since it debuted in May, 1999.
If you do not know SpongeBob—the bubbly yellow sponge living in Bikini Bottom—then you may have been living under a rock like his best friend Patrick Star.
You can join the crew in Bikini Bottom at the Savannah Children’s Theatre latest show “SpongeBob the Musical.” Join SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Mr. Krabs and more on an exciting musical experience in the ocean deep.
In the title role of SpongeBob the talented actor and singer JoJo Ward. He was thrilled about receiving the role.
“SpongeBob is definitely a dream role for a lot of people. It definitely is for me. I also would have loved to play Patrick because he's the ditzy, funny, hungry guy and he's pink, so he's literally me,” said Ward. “But I am very thrilled to have been offered the role of SpongeBob and to take on the role of SpongeBob. It's been a lot of fun.”
Ward and the rest of the cast is bringing high energy to this show. 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.
Just when it seems all hope is lost an unexpected hero emerges and through the power of optimism the world can be saved.
“SpongeBob's energy definitely matches the storyline of the TV show where it's like he is the happy go lucky guy. He's always seeing the positive side. He's always got a way to figure things out. Even if he's scared, he's still going to figure it out because that's his character,” said Ward.
Ward and some other cast members really connect with their characters because they grew up with the show watching and admiring different characters.
Rayshawn Roberts, another cast member is playing the grumpy and not always liked Squidward who is Spongebob’s neighbor and coworker. Roberts grew up with the show as well but didn’t necessarily relate to his character back in the day.
“It’s funny because as a kid, I obviously did not identify with Squidward being the curmudgeon grump that he is. I find myself, of course, now as an adult, really identifying somewhat with Squidward in the fact that SpongeBob and Patrick, are always up to something,” said Roberts.
Ward and Roberts have expressed there is something for the whole family to enjoy in the show. Many attendees who grew up with the show are old enough now to bring their children or bring themselves to experience the fun and wonders in Bikini Bottom.
“I was probably one of the biggest SpongeBob fans as a kid. I had the SpongeBob sheets and my mom got me covers and stuff. I definitely loved the show as a kid. I love being a part of this show and the fact of being able to connect something that really connects people from my generation,” said Roberts.
He even jokingly admitted that a lot of the things that he grew up on are becoming retro and nostalgic.
The Savannah Children’s Theatre has a list of shows coming up and the actors are just happy that live theater in Savannah is going well with something to offer for many audiences.
“I just love the fact that theater once again is in full bloom and continuing to grow in Savannah. It just shows that community theater has a place here in Savannah, and it has a place to bring people together, and I just love the fact that I am a part of that,” said Roberts.
“SpongeBob the Musical,” has show dates that run through Feb. 5, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Get tickets and show dates at savannahchildrenstheatre.org
