Who lives in a pineapple at Dartmouth High School? Spongebob Squarepants

Are you ready kids? Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob Squarepants! But this fall, the kids are ready for Bikini Bottom to come to Dartmouth High School on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 in “Spongebob: The Musical.”

Don’t go expecting the typical spongey Spongebob Squarepants and pink Patrick Star in the musical. Denis Lawrence, one of the co-directors, describes the play as “timely” with many elements that apply to the political world today. 

“I know a lot of parents didn’t let their kids watch Spongebob,” said Maya Gouveia-Furtado, 14, who plays Spongebob, “But it’s very different from the TV show. It’s all the same characters but it’s more fun and comedic. It’s fun for everybody, not just the younger kids who want to see it because of the cool characters.”

In the play, Bikini Bottom is in danger from a volcano, with politicians telling the fish to blindly follow and believe them and the media telling them what to believe. The sardines see Patrick as a god-like figure who they worship. In the play, Spongebob has to learn to trust himself. 

“If you look at everything that’s going on in today’s world, it’s kind of been prophesied by the Spongebob musical and the book that was written for it,” said Lawrence.

Co-directors Lawrence and Shirley Byers made some creative choices with the play. Parents of kids who were a part of the theater company in the past 12 years were invited to sing and dance in the play during the number “Poor Pirates.” 

The play is almost completely done by the students. For months before the play, the tech kids built and decorated the props and sets with parents’ help. They will be in charge of moving and setting the props and sets during the play. They also are in charge of the lights. Two students with dance experience, Kathryn Gifford and Raquel Franco, choreographed the dance numbers. 

“All the singing and dancing, it’s mesmerizing to watch,” said Stage Manager Karleigh Jeffery. 

Annabelle Zariv, the light manager, runs the lighting. The show relies on proper timing with the lighting, to ensure everyone is able to be seen and highlighted. Besides the lighting, she enjoys being able to watch the show.

“I’m up in the booth, so I’m able to actually get to watch the show and see how everyone does from a distance,” said Zariv. 

The musical itself is unique in the way its score is written. Most musicals have one composer, but the Spongebob musical has songs by many well-known artists, including Cyndi Lauper, They Might Be Giants, Panic! At the Disco and John Legend.

The students rave about the music in the play, most citing it as their favorite part. Brady Jackson who plays Patrick, and Gouveia-Furtado say their favorite part of the musical occurs during the song “Super Sea Star Savior,” when the sardines worship Patrick. Sydney Mello, who plays Sandy Cheeks, says her favorite part is the song “Hero Is My Middle Name.”

“I’ve always loved juice and people always tell you that music is the best way to connect with people and I 100% agree,” said Gouveia-Furtado, “[Super Sea Star Savior] is just so catchy, it has to be illegal.”

The phrase “Join as strangers, Become friends, Leave as family” is the motto of sorts for the company. The actors agree with this phrase, noting that the company is a great way to get comfortable and connect with others in a place where everyone supports each other.

“It’s a really enjoyable show to be a part of,” said Mello. “Especially being such a tight-knit cast, it just makes it a lot more fun to be around each other.”