Young actors pose during a dress rehearsal of SpongeBob the Musical's opening number.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
St. Mary’s School students are heading under the sea for this year’s musical performance of SpongeBob the Musical, youth edition.
The dual-cast production has been in the works since the end of September, says Grade 9 student Adelyn Norlie, who plays the titular SpongeBob. Rehearsals are going well, and she expects they will be fully ready to go come curtain later on this month.
“It’s been really fun. I get to be silly while still doing what I love and performing,” said Norlie.
The large group numbers have been a challenge, adds Grade 9 student and actress for Sandy, Ciara Dennison. Despite this, she says the experience has been overwhelmingly positive, with the rest of the cast feeling like a family to her.
“The best part is probably just like, I feel like it’s just like being surrounded with a bunch of people that have the same ability as you do, and you kind of just feel connected,” said Dennison.
SpongeBob is a high energy, family-friendly show that follows the characters from the long-running cartoon series when they discover a volcano might soon destroy their home. Director Kayla Lucas says while the story surrounds the popular names and faces, the story is truly about friendship and requires no prior knowledge or love for Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants.
Lucas highlighted their set, which is expanded upon from the school’s production of High School Musical.
“We added to it, expanded on it for this year to make it a little bit more fun and just have more of a unique set that can accommodate so many kids, some height and lots of levels. The kids get so excited by it,” said Lucas.
The performance itself will take place at the Esplanade, with each cast performing only once for the public. The first show will take place on Mar. 13 at 7 p.m., with the second on Mar. 14 at 11 a.m.
Tickets are available online at tixx.ca.
