Hard Work Pays Off in "The SpongeBob Musical"

To view photo galleries of the performance, click the buttons at the end of this article. 

On Friday, March 14th, “The SpongeBob Musical” will open at Elmwood Park High School. First premiered in Chicago in 2016 and running on Broadway from 2017-2018, the musical is a theatrical adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated television series “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

With around 80 students involved, it is the largest student activity in the district. Within it, every student has found their place in an active role in the cast or crew.

“They all have a job to do and they're proud of it,” Band Director & Music Teacher Kyle Rhoades says. “The theater also gives a lot of kids a place to fit in, and it’s cool to see them thrive and do well.” 

Rhoades rehearses the pit orchestra, plays the accompanying piano, and makes sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly as the producer. The production is directed by Noah Pligge, who has been working with EPHS theater since 2013. 

As a fan of “SpongeBob,” Pligge is particularly excited for the audience to see EPHS’s interpretation and the great costuming they do it in. With music composed by David Bowie, Cindi Lauper, Steven Tyler, and John Legend, there is something fun for everyone, even if they are unfamiliar with the musical or TV show. A few in the district have already gotten a taste of the fun, as the EPHS cast put on a private performance for Elm Middle School students this morning, Thursday the 13th. 

Junior Isabella Wernsing (above) plays SpongeBob Squarepants and senior Olivia Shipinski (below) portrays
SpongeBob's longtime friend Patrick Star in the EPHS production of "The SpongeBob Musical," which will be
performed Friday and Saturday, March 14-15, in the high school auditorium. (D401 photos by Dave Porreca)

Rhoades is proud of the way the students have collaborated, and how they and many supporting EPHS staff members have found a balance with everything else in their lives, and he is excited for them to show off the hard work they have put into it. He recognizes that in a small school like EPHS, nobody would be able to enjoy extracurricular activities without both students and staff being willing to be involved in multiple things at once. 

“To all the students who have juggled multiple activities deftly, I think that's a really cool thing, and it shows their commitment,” Rhoades says. 

With such a big cast and crew, Pligge says it was challenging at times to make sure they fit everything needed into their two-month production schedule. However, the team pulled it off, and everyone is in for a great show.

“The EPHS cast is super hard working and has put tons of heart into their performance,” Pligge says. “They have grown so much and I am very proud of them!”

“The SpongeBob Musical” will be showing in the EPHS auditorium on Friday the 14th at 7:00 PM,  and Saturday the 15th at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Purchase your tickets today here!

 

Act 1 Gallery Act 2 Gallery