Gunnar gives The SpongeBob Musical 100 points!
Looking for a fun, light family show? Hurry on down to the Oriental Theatre for "The SpongeBob Musical," which made its pre-Broadway world premiere this month and continues just through July 10 before it heads back to New York, where it was rehearsed and produced.
Diana Martinez talked with mom-and-son team Kirstin Franklin and Gunnar Hammergren, age 5, after the show, where they talked about their favorite parts (the humor, sets and big song-and-dance numbers) and how it brought to life the TV and movie versions of a sponge living at the bottom of the sea.
"I absolutely fell in love with it. I thought it was just brilliant," Franklin said, who admitted never having seen the TV show or movie and didn't expect to like it.
"It's really hard not to like this show," Martinez said. "It's energetic, it's fun and there's some really great humor in it."
By Diana Martinez and Gunnar Hammergren
The World Premiere of The SpongeBob Musical made a splash in Chicago. Bikini Bottom is brought to life for the Broadway stage, with colorful imagination and zany theatricality. Director Tina Landau of Chicago and designer David Zinn create a colorful and creative fantasy world that spills out into the audience and gives the audience constant visual interest. The score comes from some of the biggest names in pop and rock, from David Bowie to Cyndi Lauper and John Legend, which gives this show a contemporary vibe that's bursting with energy. The action begins when all of Bikini Bottom faces the total annihilation of their undersea world. Then chaos happens and lives hang in the balance. Just when all hope seems lost, an unexpected hero rises up to show us that the power of optimism can save the world!
Each show I invite a Daily Herald reader to be my guest audience critic and give you their take on the show. My guests were Gunnar, who is 5 years old, and his mom Kirstin Franklin. Gunnar had some great observations that I think are best directly from the mouth of this adorable critic … "My favorite part of the whole show was when Patrick Star was flying in on Sandy's jetpack and the confetti streamers and beach balls that landed on us at the end of the show. Everyone in the whole world should see this show because I think everyone would love it as much as I did. I give it 100 points because WOAH!!!"
This fun, light-hearted family show on steroids carries a great message of hope that is a pleasant departure from our current social and political world. The SpongeBob ensemble is eclectic and versatile and propels the show with energy when they take the stage in fantastic choreography by Christopher Gattelli. The cast features standout performances by Ethan Slater as SpongeBob with a great rock voice, a show-stopping tap number by Gavin Lee in the role of Squidward and a jaw-dropping powerhouse ballad by Emmy Raver-Lampman in the role of Pearl Krabs.
"The SpongeBob Musical" is at Oriental Theatre through July 10. This show runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission. The show is light and wacky and makes a fun family outing and is appropriate for ages 5 and up.
On behalf of Gunnar, The Daily Herald and Broadway in Chicago, I'm Diana Martinez and I look forward to seeing you at the theater!
Thanks for reading!