The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition
The Court Theatre, 129 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
01/07/2025 - 13/07/2025
Production Details
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, Book by Kyle Jarrow
Original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I. And songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Directed by Tim Bain
Musical Direction by Caelan Thomas
Choreography by Hillary Moulder
The Court Theatre
Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow.
An exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music, this deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.
The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre
1 – 13 July 2025
https://my.courttheatre.org.nz/overview/7716
From $20
Set Designers Rosie Gilmour
Costume Designer Tracey Hollands
Lighting Designer Geoff Nunn
Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton
Additional music by Tom Kitt
Musical production conceived by Tina Landau
PINK CAST
SpongeBob: Eddie Keenan
Patrick: Ben Camm
Sandy Cheeks: Eden Taylor
Squidward: Alex Johnston
Plankton: Ben Cumberpatch
Karen: Ava Dravitski
Mr Krabs: Leo Hamilton
Pearl: Brooke Wright
Old Man Jenkins: William Gumbley
Perch Perkins: Erik Misnyovszki
Mayor: Phoebe Jones
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Tessa de Wit
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Isabel Hawes
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Miah Taylor
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Matilda Abbott
Electric Skates 1: Logan Golledge
Electric Skates 2: Olivia Holden
Electric Skates 3: Harrison Mugford
Electric Skates 4: Basil Clarkson
Larry the lobster: Charlie Wood
Mrs Puff: Nevaeh Shand
Ensemble: Amelia Neale
Ensemble: Elena Boot
Ensemble: Harper Bush
Ensemble: Louisa Thomsen
Ensemble: Emma Williams
Ensemble: Alana Thompson
Ensemble: Scarlett Gardner
Ensemble: Rhys Holyoake
Ensemble: Daisy Fitzgerald
Ensemble: Ruby Stace
GREEN CAST
SpongeBob: Cole Moffat
Patrick: Bill Cross
Sandy Cheeks: Libby McMahon
Squidward: Oscar Stove
Plankton: Neo Carter
Karen: Martha Platt
Mr Krabs: Ryan McCallum
Pearl: Olivia Skelton
Old Man Jenkins: Molly Aitken
Perch Perkins: Josh Wear
Mayor: Holly Coggan
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Micaiah Veer
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Chloe Brackenridge
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Ryan Withington
Sardine/Cowboy/Planktons Groupie: Ashlyn Morrison
Electric Skates 1: Barnaby Domigan
Electric Skates 2: Franklin Domigan
Electric Skates 3: Isobelle Baird
Electric Skates 4: Kendall Maitland
Larry the lobster: Ohene Akoto
Mrs Puff: Maya Brown
Ensemble: Emilie Sweeney
Ensemble: Indiana Sweeney
Ensemble: Milo Luckman
Ensemble: Chelsea Gallagher
Ensemble: Tora Maitland
Ensemble: Alice West
Ensemble: Claudia Richmond
Ensemble: Elliot Perriam
Ensemble: Ephelia Paxie
Ensemble: Evie Ryan
Theatre , Musical , Children’s , Family ,
60 mins
Talented cast and crew never put a foot wrong in standout production.
Review by Ali Jones 02nd Jul 2025
The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition is one of the best things I have seen at The Court Theatre in recent times. Those are words I never thought I would say.
Taking our seats, the excitement is palpable. Are you ready kids?! I can’t hear you!
The happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants, his friends Patrick and Sandy, and the rest of Bikini Bottom, discover that Mt. Humongous, a nearby volcano, will erupt within the next 48 hours and completely obliterate this close-knit community. SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save everyone.
The set and lighting design is fabulous with colour, movement and fun everywhere. From an enormous neon cake for Patrick, to jellyfish recreated with white translucent fabric floating above large fans, this delightful adventure just doesn’t slow down.
A dancing Squidward (with extra legs of course) supported by sequined tap dancers present an impressive show-stopping number. The harmonies and chemistry of Eddie Keenan as SpongeBob, Ben Camm as Patrick in the number “BFF” are delightful to watch and listen to.
The entire cast is incredibly talented. They easily transport us out of our seats to a pineapple under the sea – and all that we know goes with it. Director Tim Bain has really hit this one out of the park (or should that be, the sea) drawing the very best from these talented performers. His focused and clever direction of this madcap, colourful romp shows he knows theatre, the audience and his cast. On the way we learn the importance of helping one another, while others around us try to profit, controlling and destroying others. As relevant as ever.
The costumes are fabulous (with some of the most incredible headgear I have ever seen), the dancing, the acting, the singing, the flawless accents (even some regional American – not JUST American), the lighting, the timing, the teamwork – did I mention the singing? Wow!
There are two casts – Pink and Green – and when you see what these young performers are doing, you’ll understand why they need to share the workload. There aren’t two backstage crews though, so full credit to the work they are doing for every show – they did not put a foot wrong.
In the Pink cast, I must mention Eden Taylor (Sandy Cheeks) and Alex Johnston (Squidward) – both wonderful to watch. Taylor’s work has me believing that her tail really is her tail, and Johnston captures the miserable Squidward to a T.
Brooke Wright (Pearl Krabbs) absolutely owns her father’s song “Daddy Knows Best” – one of the highlights.
The standout for my young dates Freddie and Jed? SpongeBob, of course.
The last word must go to nine-year old Freddie who says somewhat incredulously as we are walking back to the car, “how do they get kids to do that?”
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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