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    RHS musical theatre presents SpongeBob Musical
    RHS musical theatre presents “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.” Eli Cooper practices his role of SpongeBob alongside Zack Pinkard as Patrick Star and Bailey Palmer as Mr. Krabs.
    News, Russellville, Z - TOP HOME
     By  María Camp Published 
    2:34 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2023

    RHS musical theatre presents SpongeBob Musical

    Adventure-seekers and lovers of musicals will soon have the opportunity to plunge under the sea with “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.”

    Russellville High School musical theatre students, under the direction of Patrice Smith and Aaron Freeman, are set to take the stage in the Russellville City Schools auditorium for performances March 24 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and March 26 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

    “I’m just excited to work with such talented students,” said Freeman. “They’re working hard, and I appreciate that. The energy level is very high, and I can tell they’re having a good time rehearsing. Some of the students are really stretching out of their comfort zones, with a few of them singing and acting for the first time.”

    Smith echoed his sentiments.

    “The students are very excited,” she said. “It’s all coming together and getting real. The teamwork is evident everywhere. The kids are a family, and they’re really pitching in to help each other.”

    The musical is based on the television series by Stephen Hillenburg, book by Kyle Jarrow and musical production conceived by Tina Landau. For this story, when the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save their undersea world.

    Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased on GoFan, at the door or by pre-sale through a student performer or the RHS front office.

    RHS senior Tara Cummings, who plays Sandy Cheeks, said performing on stage is “the most rewarding feeling.”

    “The euphoria is indescribable. It’s possibly the best feeling in the world,” she said. “Between the anticipation before the opening number through the ending bows, you feel confidence, pure emotion and passion.

    “The connection the students have with the show and each other make these feelings so much stronger,” Cummings added. “It is truly a blessing to have this opportunity to perform.”

    Smith said it’s always fun when the students start to see the show coming to life. The cast – more than 60 characters, including several tech students – is made up of RHS musical theatre students, selected in January. Rehearsals started in January, as well.

    Smith said putting together a musical is about more than just the performance. “I love seeing all the little pieces come together to create something really magical.”

    Smith said while there has been some controversy about the type of humor in the SpongeBob television show, that’s not a concern for the RHS musical. She explained the school edition shows are shorter, “edited down to the very best parts,” noting the humor in the youth version musical is not objectionable. “Before deciding what we wanted to do, I saw the show, read the script and listened to all the music,” she added.

    While she describes herself as “not a huge fan” of the cartoon, she’s enthusiastic in her support of the musical. “This is easily the happiest show we’ve ever done,” Smith said. “It’s just so much fun. There’s a lot of color, joy and super catchy music. It all feels so new and fresh, and the kids are having the best time.”

    RHS senior Eli Cooper, who plays SpongeBob Squarepants, said what he enjoys most about musical theatre is “seeing the audience smile and cheer.”

    “I want to make sure that through my music and dance moves the audience will have the time of their lives and enjoy every moment,” he said. “We make a lot of great memories in musical theatre, and I love being there with my friends and teachers.”

    RHS senior Briley Palmer, who plays Mr. Eugene Krabs, explained performing “allows me to be someone else and be silly, funny and just something completely different than myself.”

    “I think everyone should come see our show and watch us just have fun because this is one you will enjoy every second of, and I want everyone to see it,” Palmer added.

    Smith praised all the students and their efforts.

    “It’s fun to see the students grow in their talents and confidence, as well as leadership – not only in singing, dancing and acting but also in being leaders and mentors for each other.”

    The musical features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., as well as songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley, with additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton and additional music by Tom Kitt.

    CAST

    Abigail Ashton – Sandy Cheeks

    Kaitlyn Balding – Pearl Krabs

    Cami Carson – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Hank Cartee – Sheldon J. Plankton

    Rosa Castro Mendoza – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Airielle Cooper – Karen Plankton

    Eli Cooper – SpongeBob Squarepants

    Erika Cruz – Karen Plankton

    Journey Cummings – Plankton Dancer

    Tara Cummings – Sandy Cheeks

    Evan Davis – Patrick Star

    Jared Davis – Mr. Eugene Krabs

    Lakin Derrick – Sardine Devotee Soloist

    Esbeidy Donagustin-Jimenez – Sardine

    Hannah Figueroa – BFF Dancer

    Aria Gipson – Sponge Chorus

    Jackeline Gonzalez Sanchez – Mrs. Puff

    Jazmine Gonzalez Sanchez – Sponge Chorus

    Maria Gonzalez – Electric Skate

    Ella Green – Sardine Devotee Soloist

    Emmy Green – Plankton Dancer

    Celina Guarcas Cua – Tech

    Miranda Guiterrez Gamarro – BFF Dancer

    Amanda Higgins – BFF Dancer

    Lexie Higgins – Sponge Chorus

    Hannah Hulsey – Sponge Chorus

    Maci Jackson – Electric Skate

    Devin Jones – Larry the Lobster

    Sarah Kate Kiel – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Aidyn Marshall – Electric Skate

    Emily Martinez – Sardine

    Steven McCormick – Old Man Jenkins

    Victoria McGinnis – Sea Anemone Dancer

    David Miguel Tomas – Perch Perkins

    Josue Miguel Tomas – Perch Perkins

    Eian Nance – Electric Skate

    Kailey Newton – Tech

    Parker Odom – Squidward Q. Tentacles

    Audrey Oliver – Plankton Dancer

    Lily Cate Pace – Pearl Krabs

    Briley Palmer – Mr. Eugene Krabs

    Kinsley Palmer – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Haylee Patrick – Sardine Devotee Soloist

    Jennifer Pham – Sponge Chorus

    Zack Pinkard – Patrick Star

    Mylee Pounders – Sponge Chorus

    Selena Pounders – Sardine

    Andrea Quinones – Sardine

    Elijah Racz – Squidward Q. Tentacles

    Hailey Rogers – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Bryan Ruiz – SpongeBob Squarepants

    Antonio Santamaria – Sheldon J. Plankton

    Bianca Santamaria – Mayor of Bikini Bottom

    Elizabeth Shremshock- Tech

    Rosie Solis – Mayor of Bikini Bottom

    Linda Sop Otzoy – Electric Skate

    Kaitlin Speck – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Cali Stevens – Lead Tech

    Raney Stone – Plankton Dancer

    Olivia Taylor – Tech

    Damar Valdez – Sponge Chorus

    Dayami Valdez – Sponge Chorus

    Allison Valladares Rojas – Sea Anemone Dancer

    Hannah Waldrep – Sponge Chorus

    Ebony West – Plankton Dancer

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