The cast of Encore Theatre’s production of “Spongebob the Musical” will bring the TV show to life this weekend.
Submitted photo | Encore Theatre
LIMA — Director Randy Bargerstock said even though he is not a Spongebob Squarepants fan, the cast of his production of “Spongebob the Musical” is keeping the Encore Theatre show in line with TV show canon.
The show is set to premiere at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 at the theatre, and the cast is hard at work adapting the Broadway musical to the Encore stage with all of its comedy, songs from popular artists like Aerosmith and John Legend and everyone’s favorite residents of Bikini Bottom.
“Some adults might think this is a children’s musical, but it’s not at all,” Bargerstock said. “It’s not the cartoon version of the show, but it’s a really beautiful story about Bikini Bottom figuring out a way to live and work together. it’s very energetic and the music is very touchy. People will go away singing these tunes in their heads.”
The volunteer cast grew up with the show and that should make it all the more faithful.
“I’m kind of the old guy who knows of Spongebob, but I don’t know it that well so they’re always reminding me if an element of the performance is not canonical,” Bargerstock said. “We’ve got to research it and make sure it’s true to the Spongebob story. They’re keeping me on my toes as a generation that knows Spongebob.”
The cast, represented by eight schools across the Lima area, might be the biggest cross-section of talent Bargerstock has ever seen.
“Seeing their hard work and seeing them bring to fruition this very challenging show is really exciting for me,” he said. “I’m just excited for the good work that they’re going to do. I think the audience will go away feeling very positive about life and the world and I think they’ll be rather blown away with the colors, lights and effects.”
The message of the show should be right in line with the heart of the cartoon.
“This is not a political statement at all, but in the times we live, where there are so many perspectives that point us toward fear and divisiveness, I really believe there is something heartwarming in this message that says a community can come together and work together to overcome whatever obstacles they might confront and be a true community,” Bargerstock said. “I would hope that people would go away encouraged and feeling positive about Lima and their families and whatever communities they are a part of.”
There are sure to be plenty of references to the original series for all the fans in the audience.
“There is a lot of humor and people who know Spongebob will see a lot of references to the character and his idiosyncracies,” Bargerstock said. “Some things will remind them of a certain episode and for people who love him already, it will be nostalgic and they’ll see the humor in it. But for anybody who doesn’t know Spongebob, I think they will go away with a sense of joy.”
The show will run through the next two weekends starting Fridays with night shows at 8 p.m. and matinee performances at 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 4 and 11 at 991 N. Shore Drive, Lima.
For tickets or more information, visit bit.ly/3ylkXzI.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
