Tex*Rep The Spongebob Musical
"Every time I look at this show…it just gets bigger." That was the sentiment Tex Rep Artistic Director Michael Cooper shared with his cast at their first movement rehearsal for this season's final show: The SpongeBob Musical! It is a fun-filled adventure starring everyone's favorite undersea cast from the hit Nickelodeon Cartoon, and the cast and crew cannot wait to show you the "Bikini Bottom Way."
Cooper definitely wasn't kidding when he said that this show is big, either. With over a dozen songs (all written in different styles by famous artists such as Lady A, We Might Be Giants, Panic! At the Disco, Sara Bareilles, TI, Aerosmith, and others) and every memorable character from the lovable children's cartoon, this show is easily one of the biggest Tex*Rep has put on in their 32 seasons of producing live theatre. They don't have any intentions of letting that slow them down, though!
Initially founded in 1992, Texarkana Repertory Company is the oldest organization producing live theatre in the Greater Texarkana Area. "[My favorite part of doing community theatre is] definitely the lifelong relationships formed from a group of people working towards a common goal" said Corrine Patterson. Patterson, who plays Mrs. Puff/ensemble in this production and is the incoming president to the Tex*Rep Board of Directors, has been performing with the company since its 4th season and has quite literally raised her daughter in the theater. When asked what is her favorite thing about Tex*Rep, she went on to say, "We [the cast and crew] often spend more time with our Tex Rep families than our actual families when producing a show…but with the talent we have, we are able to bring Broadway to Texarkana!"
Producing famous musicals and plays like; "Into the Woods," "Nunsense," "Greater Tuna," "The Laramie Project" A Year with Frog and Toad," and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" to name a few, the company has long sought to bring famous plays to the Texarkana area with local talent! They even host a yearly drama camp for young actors! More recently, there have been showstoppers like "The Addams Family." "Pippin," "The Play That Goes Wrong," and "Sense and Sensibility" have graced the Stilwell Stage on Texarkana College's campus (where the company is based). This season, the company, 32nd overall, was also full of great plays and musicals, having already produced "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "The Little Foxes," and "Rumors" this year! The company cannot wait to round out 32 years with a story about everyone's favorite yellow invertebrate with "The SpongeBob Musical!"
"Whatever audience thinks this show is, IT'S NOT," said Austin Alford, who plays Sheldon J. Plankton in the production. He's not wrong, either. The live show borrows elements from the show while telling a completely original story starring SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy (played by Tommy Tye, Michael Wells, and Alyssa Rickett). The Trio embarks on a high-stakes adventure to save the town they love! It's bound to make you laugh, and it might even make you cry, but either way, you'll have a great time! Heck, I'd say you'll have the Best Day Ever!
Tex*Rep's "SpongeBob the Musical" production opens on May 3rd at the Stilwell Theatre on the Texarkana College Campus. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00. Tickets go on sale soon, so be sure to follow Tex*Rep on Instagram and Facebook!
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW AT www.texrep.org.
