Crescent Heights theatre presents The SpongeBob Musical

By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 12, 2022.

lthomson@medicinehatnews.com

The newest Crescent Heights High School musical theatre production is sure to wow with bright sets, fantastic costumes and grand dance numbers as they transport audiences to hang out with everyone’s favourite sponge who “lives in a pineapple under the sea.”

The SpongeBob Musical was the choice of director Jennifer Davies, who has been the drama teacher at CHHS for 26 years.

“I went out of my way to find a show that would accommodate Grade 7 through 12, but I needed something that would be really good for those Grade 12s to really have them shine because they’ve had so much experience in our program,” said Davies. “This has been an extraordinarily dedicated group of students.”

The musical follows SpongeBob and his friends Patrick and Sandy as they try to save their town of Bikini Bottom from imminent destruction in the form of an eruption from Mount Humongous. CHHS’s adaptation includes more than 70 cast members and the live pit band accompanies performers through an eclectic list of songs.

Despite challenges that restrictions presented to musical theatre, such as helping kids learn harmonies under masks and keeping them motivated during uncertain times, Davies has been a dedicated advocate for the performers.

“I made a decision both last year and this year that no matter what, I was going all out. The kids were going to have beautiful costumes, a beautiful set, the best tech, best choreography, best music instruction,” said Davies. “I wasn’t going to reduce the performance and the experience for the students.”

The original plan was for audiences of family members only, but the recent provincial announcement made it possible to fill the theatre to capacity.

“Luckily, we are now able to have audiences come in and witness the majesty and spectre that is all of these students performing together,” Davies said. “Opening night was such an amazing moment because we got to see their faces, it was the first night they were able to perform without their masks, so they sounded different, they looked different and they are happy to see each other.”

Lucas Semrau has been performing with the CHHS musical theatre program since Grade 2. He has now participated in nine shows, more than any other student, and stars as the lead of the musical, SpongeBob himself.

“Musical is one of my favourite parts of the whole year, so I’m so happy we actually get to do a full run,” said Semrau. “I just want to thank Ms. D because the easiest thing she could have said was, ‘Well, it’s hard and we don’t know if we’re going to do it so we’ll just cancel it,’ but we just kept going and it’s worked out. I’m just very, very grateful for that because I just love performing so much.”

Full of humour, the power of optimism and a witty allegory that examines modern politics, Semrau and Davies say the play is fun for the whole family.

“I know for me personally it really takes me out of the stress that’s going on,” said Semrau. “When I am in this theatre, on stage and looking out at the audience, it’s just like I forget everything else and I’m just in that moment. I hope it’s the same for the audience, that any stress they have can just go away for a bit when they’re watching this spectacular show.”

Due to the change in restrictions, tickets are now available to the public. You can purchase tickets at CHHS during school hours or between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. any night there is a show. Evening ticket purchases must be paid in cash.

The SpongeBob Musical began Wednesday, running through to tonight. The show runs Monday to Thursday next week. All shows start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30.

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