Talking sponges, scheming crustaceans and a quest to save one’s hometown all come together in StarStruck Theatre’s production of The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical. Based on the Broadway musical adaptation of the SpongeBob SquarePants animated series, director Courtney Stokes’ production is sure to please fans of the show which has captivated audiences since 1999.
Audiences are transported to the underwater utopia of Bikini Bottom as they are introduced to Krusty Krab fry cook SpongeBob SquarePants (played by Marc Jay Julio), his best friend Patrick Star (Joanna Kuehner), their pessimistic neighbor Squidward Tentacles (Kamran Motahari) and the squirrel-turned-astronaut Sandy Cheeks (Venice Barbiran).
When news spreads that the nearby Mount Humongous is about to erupt and level the town of Bikini Bottom within a matter of days, it then falls to SpongeBob and his wide array of companions to devise a way to stop the eruption and to save their hometown. All the while, they must overcome efforts from the scheming Plankton (Kevin Flanagan) and his computer-wife Karen (Adalyn Lowe) who seek to capitalize on the paranoia consuming the townsfolk of Bikini Bottom in this hero’s journey of humor, heart and whimsical action.
The crux of the production is without question Julio’s performance as the titular character of SpongeBob SquarePants. Julio’s singing, dancing and physical comedy is bolstered by his on-stage chemistry with Kuehner and Barbiran. The trio’s renditions of songs such as “BFF”, “(Just a) Simple Sponge” and “Hero is My Middle Name” paint a vivid picture of their characters’ motivations to not only save Bikini Bottom but to earn the respect of the likes of Eugene Krabs (Charles Monk), The Mayor (Kaylee Chang) and the rest of the townsfolk. Tracks such as “Tomorrow Is” and “Chop to the Top” provide social commentary of the dangers of succumbing to paranoia, misinformation and scapegoating in the face of natural disasters—lessons that have become eerily timely in 2025 and thus elevate the show from its “just for kids” status.
Other standout performances include (but are not limited to) that of Motahari as Squidward, Flanagan as Plankton and Lowe as Karen. Matohari’s portrayal of Squidward elevates the character from a running joke to a standalone triumph, while the duo of Flanagan and Lowe turn their otherwise one-dimensional characters from the cartoon into a devious but likeable ‘power couple’ of villainy. Choreography from Francesca Cipponeri along with Juliane Godfrey is proven to be second to none as the dancing in songs such as “I’m Not a Loser” and “Best Day Ever” make for a true spectacle.
A 20-piece live orchestra with music direction from Nancy Godfrey brings the spirited songs to life. Godfrey, who has been with Starstruck for two decades, conducts, plays the keyboard, and also acts as vocal director. To enhance the production’s soundscape with realistic sound effects, Spongebob also uses an onstage foley artist, Peter Wallack.
The task of translating the designs of the characters from the animated show to the stage is no easy feat, yet it is achieved flawlessly by the team of Artistic Director Lori Stokes, Costume Designer Diane Scherbarth and Scenic Designer Stephen Wathen. The use of props, hair, make-up and costuming allow each on-stage character to accurately represent their cartoon counterparts. The set design, use of rotating stage-pieces, stage-hands dressed as nautical extras and use of projections also aid in the audience’s suspension of disbelief and the world-building of the SpongeBob SquarePants universe.
For fans old and new of the SpongeBob SquarePants animated show, books, comics, video games and movies, StarStruck Theatre’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical is sure to be the can’t miss live-theater experience of the winter.
StarStruck Theatre’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical
Saturday, Jan. 11 – Sunday, Jan. 26
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:30pm
Smith Center at Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont
Tickets: $25 children through high school age; $35 adults, $30 seniors
