Hero Is My Middle Name

Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical

Oh, my goodness! An environmental calamity is about to demolish the undersea city of Bikini Bottom and all its inhabitants. Mount Humongous, a subaquatic volcano, is loudly rumbling and hurling boulders at everyone. The probability is certain that it’s going to erupt very soon and take out every living thing in the Pacific Ocean paradise. It seems like everyone has a plan to try to save the citizens of Bikini Bottom: the Mayor has ordered an escape vehicle to transport the entire town to safety; evil Sheldon J. Plankton and his wife Karen the Computer have a nefarious scheme that only promotes their own selfish interests; even the miserly crustacean who owns the Krusty Krab restaurant has cooked up a way to make a profit from the disaster. But it takes an optimistic little guy named SpongeBob SquarePants, working together with his friends Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, to literally save the day, because, as he sings “Hero is My Middle Name.”

Surprisingly, this is the first Chicago production of this infectious musical comedy since its highly acclaimed 2016 pre-Broadway Premiere at the Oriental Theatre. But Kokandy Productions demonstrates, once again, that they’re a talented storefront theatre to be taken seriously. Understandably this new production lacks the big bucks that took the original to Broadway and earned it a Tony Award for its sensational scenic design. However, on a slightly smaller scale, Kokandy’s presentation has the same energy, imaginative creativity and jaw-dropping talent to make this entertaining, family-friendly show a bonafide Summer hit.

My highest praise for this beautiful, bold and bodacious musical must begin with Director JD Caudill. Their inventive, eye-popping vision for this positive, life-affirming play is simply stellar. The production is imaginative, colorful and every single theatre artist, both those onstage as well as the unseen heroes responsible for all the behind-the-scenes magic, must be acknowledged for their creative contribution to this show. 

This includes the superb Musical Direction by Bryan McCaffrey, conducting his brilliant onstage rock band. Accolades also go to Jenna Schoppe for her athletic and animated choreography (including a jaw-dropping company tap number); Ele Matelan for her fantastic Foley Design and execution of live sound effects; Mike Patrick for his authentic recorded Sound Design; the talented Lolly Extract for her charming Puppetry Designs; Jonathan Berg-Einhorn for a truly magical and astoundingly creative Scenic Design; G “Max” Maxin IV for his bubbly undersea Lighting; Patrick McGuire for their wildly inventive Properties; Jakob Abderhalden for their multitude of kaleidoscopic Costumes; and the always dependable Sydney Genco, for her magnificent Makeup Designs, and Keith Ryan for his multitude of wild Wig Designs.   

Based on the popular animated Nickelodeon television series by Stephen Hillenburg, the musical was originally Produced, Conceived and Directed by Steppenwolf’s Tina Landau. It was written by Chicago playwright Kyle Jarrow, who’s known for his holiday parody, “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant.” The story comes alive through a rocking musical score composed by more than a dozen 

pop/contemporary songwriters. They include Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Sara Bareilles, John Legend, John Coulton, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Lady Antebellum, Panic! At the Disco, the Plain White T’s, The Flaming Lips and They Might Be Giants. 

The musical features all the characters from the beloved TV show. The story centers around SpongeBob, who lives in a pineapple house under the sea, and his mission to save Bikini Bottom from destruction. He’s played with energetic enthusiasm by charismatic Chicago actor/singer/dancer Frankie Leo Bennett. This young performer brings the titular character, the poster boy for positive living, to the Chopin stage with unbridled brilliance. His SpongeBob loves life and enjoys his menial job flipping crabby cakes at Bikini Bottom’s finest fast-food restaurant, the Krusty Krab. Not without his own personal goals, SpongeBob’s longtime dream is to be promoted to restaurant manager where he hopes to make Mr. Krab’s eatery the best under the sea.

Flanked by a terrific supporting cast of triple threats, the musical features a vast array of talent. The incomparable Quinn Rigg is Squidward, SpongeBob’s dour neighbor and the cashier at the Krusty Krab. He practically steals the show with his effervescent song and dance number, “I’m Not a Loser.” SpongeBob’s posse of friends include a sensational Isabel Cecilia Garcia, as pink Patrick Star, and Sarah Patin, as scientific squirrel, Sandy Cheeks. The evil villains of the show are the amazingly multi-gifted Parker Guidry, pulling out all the melodramatic stops as the maniacal Sheldon J. Plankton (someone needs to cast this young performer as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show”!), assisted by his partner in crime, Amy Yesom Kim as Karen the Computer. Tommy Bullington is an appropriately miserly and crusty papa, as Eugene H. Krabs (“Daddy Knows Best”). He’s paired with the always vivacious Jennifer Ledesma as his giddy daughter, Pearl. 

The hardworking ensemble, each of whom deserves a standing ovation, includes Connar Brown, Maddison Denault, Sydney Genco, Fia Hunter, David Lipschutz (especially funny as Patchy the Pirate), Ele Matelan, Nicky Mendelsohn, Nataki Rennie, Shane Roberie, Quinn Simmons and Kelcy Taylor. Swing performers include Amelia Bell, Abbey Demorow and Kenny Miller.

Although the script could’ve used a bit of trimming (the climax seems absurdly long and drawn out), this is a gorgeous, happy, family-oriented musical that’s a lot of fun for everyone. It’s an eye-popping spectacle of color and creativity, populated with endearing, effervescent characters, all portrayed by a large, talented cast of triple threats. The message is positive and the show sports some delightful and catchy songs, like “Bikini Bottom Day,” “BFF,” “Poor Pirates” and the show’s ear-worm, “Best Day Ever.” Kudos to JD Caudill and their magnificent cast and crew for taking Chicago audiences deep down under the sea to cool off this Summer with this mind-blowing, magical musical.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 22-September 3 by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or by purchasing them at 

bit.ly/SpongeBobChicago.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.