Theater News

The SpongeBob Musical, With Songs by Steven Tyler and Cyndi Lauper, Sets World Premiere

The new stage show is on its way to Broadway.

SpongeBob SquarePants is coming to Broadway.
SpongeBob SquarePants is coming to Broadway.
(© Nickelodeon)

The SpongeBob Musical, Nickelodeon's Broadway-bound stage adaptation of its popular animated television series, will have its world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre beginning June 7, 2016. The limited engagement will continue through July 3, before moving to the Great White Way during the 2016-17 season.

Producers describe The SpongeBob Musical as follows: "The end is near. Only one sponge can save the day. But he's going to need help from some of the greatest songwriters in rock and pop music history. The SpongeBob Musical is a rousing tale of a simple sea sponge who faces the unfathomable. It’s a celebration of unbridled hope, unexpected heroes, and pure theatrical invention."

Coconceived and directed by Tina Landau (Old Hats), The SpongeBob Musical features a book by Kyle Jarrow (A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant) and musical supervision by Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal). The design team includes David Zinn (scenic and costume design), Kevin Adams (lighting design), Peter Nigrini (projection design), and Walter Trarbach (sound design).

Original songs will be contributed by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Jonathan Coulton, Dirty Projectors, the Flaming Lips, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I., with an additional song by David Bowie, and additional lyrics by Coulton.

SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon in 1999. The show revolves around the lovable sea sponge SpongeBob and his friends Patrick, Squidward, and his pet snail, Gary, among others.

Casting for the production will be announced in the coming months.