DIRECTOR'S NOTE
I haven't ever seen a full episode of the Spongebob cartoon. But I really enjoy this show and was thrilled in December when the rights holders contacted me about putting it on with my MDT students this Spring.
While working on this show, I've come to the conclusion at various points in our life, our personalities can be reflected by the characters in Spongebob. It sounds weird, but look:
SPONGEBOB- Fun Loving, Clueless, Hyperactive, Positive, Determined, Stops at Nothing.
PATRICK- Strong, easy going, a little dim witted, sweet natured, easily swayed
SQUIDWARD- dry, sarcastic, artist, loner, feels unrecognized
MR. KRABS- Greedy, cunning, obsessive, worrier
PLANKTON & KAREN- Napolean complex, chip on their shoulder, wants recognition
SANDY- Scientist, explorer, athletic, bold
WHICH CHARACTER ARE YOU TODAY?
ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE MUSICAL
Tina Landau’s (the creator and director of the Broadway musical) vision took shape as she studied the television show
in preparation for her pitch to Nickelodeon. In her research,
she found that the score of the television show matched the
surrealism of its surroundings, as she heard sea shanties, country
western tunes and even “Mahler-esque” moments peppered
throughout.
Listening to the movie soundtrack, which features music from
Wilco and The Flaming Lips, added to that idea, pushing Landau
toward the idea of musical score with songs that were “hip and
singular and contemporary.”
“The world of Bikini Bottom and SpongeBob is so much about
variety and a surreal mashup of things,” Landau said.
In the early stages of developing the show, [Director Tina]
Landau and her creative team had outlined a basic plot (a
volcano threatens to destroy Bikini Bottom and SpongeBob is
tasked with saving the day) and song ideas. Once they had their
list of potential songs, the team began asking one another who
would be the best fit for each tune.
Her idea ended up being realized with 15 different artists writing
original songs for the musical, including John Legend, Cyndi
Lauper and Panic! at the Disco.
