Belmont, MA - Tickets are now on sale for the first live theater performance in the new Belmont Middle and High School auditorium, The SpongeBob Musical. It's also the first live spring musical since 2019, pre-pandemic. Last year's musical, a celebration of the Golden Age of musical theater, was virtual and the musical in 2020, Shrek, was cancelled.
 |
| Cast of 'SpongeBob Musica' rehearsing a dance scene. CREDIT: WICKED LOCAL PHOTO/JOANNA TZOUVELIS |
For the past two months, the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s cast and crew have been rehearsing the pop and rock songs and dances, building and painting an underwater, animated world, sewing colorful, disco-inspired, tropical costumes and doing a lot of laughing in preparation for this fun-filled show, entertaining for all ages.
Performances are 7 p.m. March 17, 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. on March 19. Tickets may be purchased online at bhs-pac.org.
BHS seniors Leeza Pesok, Grace Sattler, Erik Rosenmeier and Alden Barnes play the leading roles in the show based on the beloved Nickelodeon animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants. BHS Theater Specialist and Performing Arts Company Producer/Director Ezra Flam told Wicked Local that the show’s was chosen for its bright and colorful elements and effects which will show off the new theater space and its technological advances.
 |
| Leading actors in 'SpongeBob Musical," a production of the Belmont High Performing Arts Company, left to right, Leeza Pesok, Grace Sattler, Erik Rosenmeier and Alden Barnes. CREDIT: WICKED LOCAL PHOTO/JOANNA TZOUVELIS |
“We knew we wanted to do something that was fun, that felt like a celebration and that was colorful and will let us show off our new theater space and all the cool things it can do. This one fit the bill,” said Flam.
Barnes plays SpongeBob who is trying to save his underwater home from being destroyed. He said it’s challenging to play because he is on stage during most of the show which requires quite the endurance as a singer and actor.
His favorite part of the show is the song, “The Best Day Ever,” taken from the cartoon series where SpongeBob has to convince the town that despite it being the end of the world, they can still make it the best day ever.
 |
| Belmont High senior Alden Barnes (left) plays SpongeBob and and Belmont High Senior Erik Rosenmeier plays Patrick in 'The SpongeBob Musical.' CREDIT: WICKED LOCAL PHOTO/JOANNA TZOUVELIS |
“I think the show both for having the fun and humor the original cartoon has, also carries with it a seriousness and a maturity that speaks to a lot of the problems with our society from the challenges from lockdown from the coronavirus to racism across our country,” said Barnes.
SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick, is played by Rosenmeier.
“I really like being the comic relief, making people laugh,” he said. “I really had trouble with his voice when I first started. I wanted to figure out a way to make him sound traditionally pretty stupid, a little dumb and still make him realistic. Finding a balance between being comical and being a person was tough.”
 |
| Belmont High senior Grace Sattler plays Squirrel in 'The SpongbeBob Musical.' CREDIT: WICKED LOCAL PHOTO/JOANNA TZOUVELIS |
Sandy the Squirrel, a smart scientist who is into karate, with a feisty personality, is played by Sattler.
“I love her. I feel like I can relate to her in some ways. She has an optimistic side but she takes things very seriously,” said Attler.
She said she had to learn how to do karate for her role which she never had experience with before.
“I think the whole production itself has so much energy. It’s very fun to experience. It’s a lot of fun and silliness and that’s something a lot of us need in this kind of time,” said Attler.
Mr. Krabs is played by Pesok. Her costume includes custom hand claws. She was very surprised when she was told she got the part.
“He radiates this confidence. He really doesn’t care what anyone thinks. All he cares about is money,” said Pesok.
It took some time for her to settle in to the big, booming voice of the role and his prominent laugh.
“It is a show filled with the same joy the cartoon was but the characters are alive in front of you,” she said.
To watch a video of the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company rehearsing the finale of The SpongeBob Musical, click here!
Stream SpongeBob SquarePants on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com.
Originally published: March 16, 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have your say by leaving a comment below! NickALive! welcomes friendly and respectful comments. Please familiarize with the blog's Comment Policy before commenting. All new comments are moderated and won't appear straight away.