Review: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at Fairfield Center Stage

I was fascinated from the moment I first heard that Fairfield Center Stage was going to
perform a musical called THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, as I did not previously know that
such a musical existed. What I knew, however, is that if it is being put on by Fairfield Center
Stage, it is going to be a phenomenal production!

On Friday, June 17th, I had the pleasure of experiencing Fairfield Center Stage's continued
commitment to providing excellent theater that goes that extra mile, when I saw THE
SPONGEBOB MUSICAL on opening night, at Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield,
CT. Director Joel Fenster, musical director Benjamin Doyle, choreographer Lindsay
Johnson, artistic director Christy McIntosh-Newsom, and Executive Producer Eli Newsom
all combine their talents with the rest of the crew and this stellar cast to give the audience
yet another first-rate performance!

I greatly enjoyed this contemporary musical which was based on a cartoon series by
Stephen Hillenburg. The book for this musical was written by Kyle Jarrow, with original
songs by Yolanda Adams, steve Tyler & Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex
Ebert, The Flaming Lips, Lady A., Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! at the Disco, Plain
White T's, They Might Be Giants, and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenney, & Alex
Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton with additional music by Tom Kitt.

Sound designer Chris Gensur's sounds were excellent and tremendously enhanced by
extremely talented Foley artist Shea Frimmer whose sound effects truly stand out in this
show to the point that it is essential to mention just how fantastic they are. Highlighted by
the consistent sounds when Squidward walks, this show truly brings sound effects to a
whole new level that deeply enhances the entire performance.

Marcelo Calderon leads the cast as Spongebob Squarepants, the central protagonist.
Marcelo Calderon wonderfully portrays this highly likeable character, nailing the speaking
voice of the cartoon character. Spongebob has a positive attitude even while surrounded by
pessimism. He is committed to spreading optimism among his town, looking on the upside
of whatever comes his way. Spongebob wants to become a manager at the Krusty Krab,
the fast food restaurant in which he works.

Jacob Rogotzke excels as Patrick Star, Spongebob's highly likeable friend. Jacob Rogotzke
brings energy and joviality to this role in a way that perfectly fits and defines the character.
The stage chemistry between Marcelo Calderon and Jacob Rogotzke help sell both of their
characters and the dynamics between them.

Alexis Willoughby brings a strong and consistent southern drawl to Sandy Cheeks, the
central female protagonist, who is a squirrel from Texas. Sandy often feels like she doesn't
fit in with the under sea community, feelings enhanced by the fact that some unkind
members of that community go out of their way to make her feel like an outcast and an
inferior whose perspective is less worthy of being heard. Nevertheless, Sandy has a better
idea than anyone else in the community as to a potential way to save them all from being
wiped out by the impending eruption of a volcano. Alexis Willoughby shines in this role,
even maintaining the southern drawl while singing, with every note on key.

Executive Producer Eli Newsom shows us his amazing acting, singing, and dancing talents
on stage in the role of Squidward Q. Tentacles, a pessimistic, yet highly likeable squid. Eli
Newsom delivers every line with feeling, conviction, and high believability. Squidward's goal
is to star on stage, thereby dispelling childhood criticism that he still emotionally struggled
with. Highlighted by the song "I'm Not a Loser," which also features some amazing
choreography and dancing, Eli Newsom brings this character to life.

Brian Crook is convincing as Mr. Krabs, the owner of the Krusty Krab restaurant. Mr. Krabs
is obsessed with the pursuit of money, even to the point where he comes across as caring
more about money than he cares about his daughter.

With a combination of strong stage skills that would be impressive for any age, teenage
actress Ainsley Dahlstrom thrives in the role of Pearl Krabs, who is Mr. Krabs' teenage
daughter. Ainsley Dahlstrom brings the perfect amount of spunk and sass to this role, while
also authentically conveying and provoking the necessary emotions to generate sympathy
for her character and sensitivity to her character's feelings. In addition to her acting and
dancing, Ainsley Dahlstrom's incredible singing voice is also showcased in this role, with the
audience applauding at one point, just hearing her singing voice, even though it was not a
conventional applause time for the show.

want to dedicate a month of their summer to be involved in this production. I love that
because I would have lived for something like this in the summer when I was their age.”

Emilia Campbell, 16 and an incoming junior at Joplin High School, will play SpongeBob,
who takes it upon himself to save the city of Bikini Bottom from the eruption of the volcano,
Mount Humongous.

“SpongeBob is always trying to make people feel good, and he just wants the best for
everyone,” she said. “I really have a great time just being my own version of SpongeBob.”

Campbell said she’s been performing in musicals since elementary school. She participated
in the Regional Youth Theatre program last year for “Shrek the Musical.”
“I really like the fact that you can express yourself through other characters, and you’re able
to have this new light,” Campbell said. “You learn a lot and you meet a lot of people. Some
of my best friends I have met through theater. We all audition together, and it’s a lot of fun. I
like that there are so many different schools coming together. It brings a really cool mix of
talent that you don’t usually get.”

‘Breath of fresh air’

Lindsey Belnap, 17, an incoming senior at Joplin High School, will play Patrick Star,
SpongeBob’s best friend. She said it’s surreal to perform in the musical adaptation because
she grew up watching the animated television series, which ran for 13 seasons.

“I’d always watch it with my family, and we would watch the old episodes from 1999,” she
said. “It’s just a classic.”

Addy Ragsdale, 16 and an incoming junior at Webb City High School, will play the scientist
squirrel Sandy Cheeks, another friend of SpongeBob’s. It’s up to SpongeBob, Patrick and
Sandy to formulate a plan in order to save Bikini Bottom.

“It’s really colorful,” she said about the show. “The way that they translated the animation on
stage, watching it just makes you feel happy, and I think we could all use more of that.”

Bikini Bottom, which is located in the Pacific Ocean, is brought to life on stage through
projectors, props and a bubble machine.

Kyahn Ely, 18 and a recent graduate of Webb City High School, will play Sheldon Plankton,
the main antagonist who aims to take advantage of the panic and fear of the apocalypse for
his own gain. Ely said the musical is like an episode from the animated series, and Plankton
uses the apocalypse to get people on his side.

“He tries to stop SpongeBob from saving the town,” he said.

Ely also participated in the theater program during its inaugural year, where he was the Big
Bad Wolf in “Shrek the Musical.” Although he graduated last month, he said he loved the
program so much that he had to return.

“This program has expanded, and there’s even more schools involved this year,” he said.
“It’s great to work with other students and to see new faces. It’s a breath of fresh air.”