Jenks Vocal Music: Setting the Stage for Spongebob the Musical

By Milly Deyoe

I was disappointed when I heard that Jenks High School would be putting on the production of Spongebob The Musical for my senior production. All I knew was that I wasn’t allowed to watch the Spongebob TV show as a kid. If I were creating a TV show theme song for children, my first idea wouldn’t be a squeaky flute with the scratchy voice of a pirate singing along. It’s just… annoying. Uniting parents from all over, the kids cartoon, Spongebob Squarepants, has been deemed stupid, brain rotting, and overall useless. It’s safe to assume that Spongebob Squarepants is among the most hated children's TV shows. I thought this musical was probably dumb and no one would want to come see it. Still, I signed up, because it’s the senior musical and I didn’t want to miss out. And as I practiced, I began to realize something surprising.

Through watching, learning, and dancing through the show, however, I learned there is much more to Spongebob The Musical than meets the eye.

Tina Landau, the director of the original Broadway musical, wanted to pick the show apart and give it a bigger meaning. She had to create a show that could combat all the prejudice that simply comes from the title “Spongebob The Musical.” With the help of series writers, clowns, and other creatives, she captured the feeling of Spongebob Squarepants.

The show was made to have a scrappy, child-like feel with set pieces made out of hula hoops and pool noodles. The bright colors, kooky unrealistic sound effects, and overall crazy, somewhat psychedelic vibe of the show gives it a feeling of transformation. Throughout the musical many of the traditional music theater “rules” are broken. Although it may go against the grain, these elements further engage the audience. Seeing the intricate costumes bring characters to life on stage makes you want to be a part of Bikini Bottom. The addition of fish, miscellaneous sea life, and pirates dancing through the aisles transforms the PAC into a magical place.

The audience members are taken from the dark world we come from and brought to Bikini Bottom where fish have created their system of democracy and face many issues that parallel the ones we face in the United States.

I sat down to speak with the director of the Jenks musical, Cody Davis. As a former Broadway actor, he can provide high school students with the tools they need for success as well as a professional work environment.

“I want it to be immersive and fun. I want people to walk in and feel like they’re a part of the cartoon that we all know and love,” said Davis.

Every year, a musical is chosen based on alternating between modern and classic shows. After much consideration, Davis and his team chose Spongebob the Musical. They felt that this group of students was fit for the job and the timing was good.

In the musical, the citizens of Bikini Bottom face a crisis. Their home is in the direct vicinity of a volcano that will destroy the entire town. The fish and other creatures living there spiral into a complete panic. The aquatic creatures disagree by pitting the government and media against each other, causing further chaos.

This lighthearted depiction of Bikini Bottom has an intriguing resemblance to how fake news and hatred for the government exist in the real world. Although the children who see this show may not understand the depths of the comments, and not so discreet innuendos, the older audience will. The show pushes the story that many people blindly trust the media and live in fear. In reaction to this many incapable leaders attempt to take control and fail.

“With the election being this year, I hope people can see when towns come together and listen to each other, far more good happens. We’re stronger together,” said Davis.

By rehearsing daily and practicing outside of scheduled rehearsals, the cast has learned that we are stronger together. By listening to each other and working as a team, the production level gets better and better.

Ultimately, Spongebob The Musical is one for everyone. From Plankton rapping with his funky hip hop dancers to a clarinet playing squid with his sea anemone tap dancers, you are sure to get a little bit of everything, and its theme of optimism and accepting others, every person has something to learn from the show.

Go see Jenks High School’s production of Spongebob The Musical on March 7-9, 2024.