The dog days of summer may be upon us, but no bikinis needed here. Please. Just a willingness to have a great time as McCoy’s Theater brings SpongeBob the Musical and its underwater world, Bikini Bottom, to life.
SpongeBob is a vibrant, laugh-out-loud adventure. Based on the long-running Nickelodeon series, the energetic production features original songs by an all-star lineup of artists including Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco, and David Bowie.
When a mysterious volcano threatens to destroy Bikini Bottom, it’s up to SpongeBob and his unlikely band of friends to save their home—with courage, optimism, and a whole lot of spirit. Packed with colorful characters, zany costumes, and toe-tapping musical numbers, SpongeBob the Musical offers a much-needed message of friendship, resilience, and the power of community.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the cartoon or new to this wacky world, the fun-for-all-ages production will have you smiling from sea to shining sea.
The musical, directed by Moorefield High School’s drama department director, Sarah Imboden, will be presented Fri. and Sat., July 18 and 19 at 7 p.m.; Sun., July 20 at 2 p.m.; and Fri. and Sat., July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m.; and Sun., July 27 at 2 p.m. The musical is produced by Robert Thompson, with musical direction by Lucus Orndorff and choreography by by Muryssa George.
“It’s the perfect summer treat,” said Imboden.
“What first drew me to it was that it isn’t what you expect,” she added. “You think you know what you’re getting – it’s SpongeBob, so it must be something silly, right? But as the story unfolds, you find that it’s this genuinely smart and profound show.”
Imboden says the show is so much more than a cartoon brought to life. She said the rich storytelling and eclectic musical styles help deliver a message that feels especially timely: optimism in the face of uncertainty.
“It’s profoundly human,” she says.
Imboden dove right in once McCoy’s selected the show, pointing out that that the fun, beloved characters resonate with kids, but that there are plenty of themes that engross adults, too.
“Beyond the sponge witticisms and the sea creatures, the show deals with fear, division among the people in SpongeBob’s community, and the meaning of being a hero – even when you feel like you’re just a ‘simple sponge.”
“There’s this sense of tension between chaos and hopefulness that adults will absolutely relate to,” she says.
As fans of the show know, Bikini Bottom is a colorful, rich community. Imboden says she wanted to represent the underwater world both in a literal sense, but also a state of mind.
“Our design leans into whimsy, using a lot of things you’d have around the house, combined with other, typical, set-design elements,” she said. “We wanted every aspect – from costumes to props, to set pieces – to feel like it was made by people who love this world and want to share its joy.”
Imboden’s love for the show certainly comes across in her enthusiasm, one shared by the cast.
“What I love is that SpongeBob has this great attitude that every day is going to be the best day ever, and that’s exactly how I want to live,” said Brett Reel who plays SpongeBob.
Imboden says that the show’s central themes of hope, community, and remaining true to yourself even when it feels like everything is falling apart will leave audiences with full hearts and big smiles.
“I want people to remember how powerful positivity can be,” she says.
“If we can offer audiences a night filled with laughter, color, and music that brings generations together all while sharing a powerful message? Well, that’s the magic of theater.”
And the magic of Bikini Bottom.
Tickets for the production are Adults – $15.00 and Students – $10.00. Performances are July 18, 19, 25, & 26 at 7pm and July 20 & 27 at 2pm at McCoy’s Grand, 121 N. Main Street, Moorefield, WV. Tickets can be purchased at mccoysgrand.org.
