THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

BDT STAGE: MAY 27 – SEPTEMBER 3

 

                 L-R: Riley Fisher,Abigail Kochevar and Patric Case

BDT STAGE’S production of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL IS THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN this summer as far as family entertainment goes. 

 

Riley Fisher is OUTSTANDING in the role of SpongeBob. The short, muscular actor has the good looks and voice that make him the perfect casting choice! Fisher’s athletic performance even includes walking on his hands at one point. His renditions of “Bikini Bottom Day” and “Best Day Ever!” are just two of Fisher’s amazing vocals.

     Patric Case portrays SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick Star, with an endearing performance, and a voice that can really wail! His Gospel-flavored “Super Sea Star Savior” rocks!!! “BFF,” his duet with SpongeBob, is hilarious.

     The lovely Abigail Kochevar portrays SpongeBob’s underwater squirrelfriend…er girlfriend, who gets to unleash her awesome voice in the Flaming Lips song, “Tomorrow is.”

     Bob Hoppe gets the plum role of Squidward Q Tentacles. This actor’s exhilarating performance of the glitzy “I’m Not a Loser,” by They Might Be Giants, is one of the truly memorable numbers in the show.

     Brian Murray is a sensational Eugene Krabs!

     Scott Severtson is hilariously bombastic in the role of Patchy, the Pirate. His singing of “Poor Pirates” is the very fun number that leads us out of Intermission and into Act Two.

     When Chas Lederer had to miss opening night due to illness, Matthew Peters stepped in with only 36 hours notice.  This actor gave a terrific performance in the role of Sheldon J. Plankton, the villainous and naughtical (sorry!) organism you love to hate. Together with the beautiful Ray Leigh Case as Karen, his computerized accomplice, they try to assure us that Bikini Bottom will indeed be destroyed!!!

     Based upon Steven Hillenberg’s beloved Nickelodeon cartoon series, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL will enthrall children and parents alike this summer at BDT STAGE. 

      When on Broadway this show tied with MEAN GIRLS for the most (12) nominations at the 2019 Tony Awards ceremony. Having become such a national pop culture hit, many artists were thrilled to write music for the show. Panic at the Disco, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, They Might Be Giants and more, created songs for this show that really Rock! The production also secured the rights to use “No Control,” a David Bowie/Brian Eno number.

     The story involves the ever-optimistic SpongeBob and his quirky band of friends in the undersea world of Bikini Bottom.  As our story begins, the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom discover that Mount Humungous, a nearby volcano, is going to erupt and wipe out their world within 48 hours. Our hero decides that he must mobilize his friends and neighbors to prevent this disaster from occurring.

      Boulder/Denver favorite Alicia K. Meyers, who directs the show also plays the local news reporter, Perch Perkins. Director Meyers has cast the show with true expertise, as well as bringing in the usual excellent techies at BDT STAGE. 

     Wayne Kennedy’s expertise with Sound Design even extends into a just off stage foley artist gig, which enhances the show with numerous sound effects. Kennedy also narrates the proceedings.

     Upon entering the dining area theatregoers are regaled with an enormous goldfish bowl – one of several wondrous projections by Tom Quinn. Flanking the bowl there are numerous nautical tools. Wooden posts and rope figure prominently in M. Curtis Gritner’s scenic design, indicating that we, as audience are just inside the pier that overlooks Bikini Bottom.   

    Linda Morken’s ingeniously mismatched and super-colorful costume design is delightful.

     Brett Maughan’s lighting design is his usual professional work.

     Music Director Neal Dunfee conducts the world class BDT orchestra magnificently. Mary Dailey contributes her excellent skills as Vocal Director.

     

The menu is as great as ever!!! Try the delicious Tuna Poke as hors d’oevre! It’s yellow fin ahi tuna dressed in sesame, tamari, green onion and cucumber, served with rice puff chips. Deelish.

     My guest for the evening enjoyed the Chicken Cordon Bleu and yours truly sampled the Chef’s Special. On this evening it was Osso Bucco! Absolutely Divine!!!

     And don’t forget the award-winning key lime pie for dessert!

 

Get over to BDT STAGE and experience this entertaining evening of musical theatre. You’ll be glad you did!!!

 

 

For tickets call the Box Office at 303-449-6000 or go online at bdtstage.com

 BLACKADEMICS

VINTAGE THEATRE: MAY 20 – JUNE 19

L-R: Chelsea Frye,Stephanie Saltis and Tobi Johnson-Compton (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

 BLACKADEMICS is a brilliant example of edgy absurdist comedy dealing with white supremacy and layered with dark satire. 

     At the start of Idris Goodwin’s play two female African American educators arrive at a special restaurant at which they have reserved a table. Their dinner is to be a celebratory one, and the two women are famished. Once they’ve both arrived there seems to be no way out. 

     Ann appears first. The usual restaurant furnishings being absent, she takes out her phone and begins checking her mail.  Shortly thereafter, Georgia, the white waitress, arrives, introducing herself, and taking Ann’s phone. Georgia assures her that it will be returned after the meal.

     Not long after the waitress disappears, Rachelle arrives.  Both Ann and Rachelle greet each other and then begin to wonder why the restaurant has no furnishings. There is a lot of banter between the two guests regarding their experiences in the world of academia, which is punctuated periodically by the arrival and disappearance of the smarmy, waiter.

      When the waiter brings in a table and/or chair, the two women compete for a chance to sit down.

       What started as a cozy meeting, becomes a raucous battle of wits, punctuated intermittently by the unsettling arrival and disappearance of the waiter.

        What started as a seemingly pleasant evening dissolves into one of “endurance cuisine.” 

       One hesitates to say more about the action, so as not to give too many spoilers.

       Let me just say that Mr. Goodwin’s play may cause the theatregoer to reflect on Sartre’s NO EXIT, where Hell is other people, and Bunuel’s award-winning screenplay for THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, where it’s nearly impossible to have dinner. 

      Tobi Johnson-Compton is an affecting, slightly stuffy Ann.  Chelsea Frye is delightfully exuberant as Rachelle, the woman from Omaha. Stephanie Saltis is just right as the insufferably arrogant and annoying waiter.

      One hopes to see all three of these women onstage again soon.

     Phil Cope’s scenic design, which transcends minimalist, is superb.

     Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry’s costume design is her usual professional work.

 

     Director Betty Hart is at the top of her game here. Hart’s ability to get this cast to unveil so many levels of Mr. Goodwin’s rich, disturbing text, is remarkable. Her directorial concept may well be:

Racism has consequences.

 

May 20 – June 19

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

$20-$34
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 8001

1 hour - no intermission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 FIREFLIES

CURIOUS THEATRE: 4/28 – 5/28

 

L-R: Jada Suzanne Dixon and Cajardo Lindsey

     Heartbreaking, sobering and deeply saddening, Curious Theatre’s excellent production of Donja R. Love’s play, “FIREFLIES,” is an elegy.

     Ostensibly dealing with a black couple’s coming to grips with a church bombing in the Jim Crow South during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, it mirrors much of the racism that we see on the evening news almost nightly.

       Charles Grace is a Baptist preacher, whose wife Olivia, not only writes the scripts for his fiery sermons, but also directs his delivery.

     This couple is currently in the devastating emotional grip of a recent church bombing in which four little black girls died. As horrible as this is, it is only one among many recent experiences of the like, including burning crosses, shootings, and other examples of racial hatred.

     Cajardo Lindsey is one of Denver’s premier actors, and his performance as the Reverend Charles Grace ranks with his best! One moment in which his raucous laughter descends into tears is unforgettable.

      Jada Suzanne Dixon stuns as Charles’ wife, Olivia!  This artist’s ability to address the psychological impact of racism, while addressing the issues of women’s rights in the context of the couple’s personal life, astounds.

     Shannon McKinney’s Lighting Design not only illuminates Regina Garcia’s realistic scenic design, but also shifts the mood with her usual expertise. 

     Costume Designer Madison Booth has created eye-pleasing costumes which often contrast brightly with the play’s various moods.

     The sound design credit is shared by CeCe Smith and Brian Freeland, who also did the projections.

      Director Steven Sapp’s light touch allows the play to unfold organically without ever becoming heavy-handed. 

     Few stood at final curtain for this excellent production, not because the show was not worthy of a standing ovation, but because the audience was still reeling from the heavy material and its ramifications, which even now continue in our world.

      This production comes highly recommended for those loving serious drama. 

 

For tickets call the Box office at 303-623-0524 or go online at boxoffice@curioustheatre.org