CHESTERTOWN — The Garfield Center for the Arts will hold open auditions on three dates the first week of February for “The SpongeBob Musical,” a family-friendly show that will run Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m from April 17 through May 3.
The production will be directed by Abbey Wark.
Production sponsors are Chesapeake Bank and Trust and Kent School.
“The SpongeBob Musical” is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow.
It began its development when Nickelodeon commissioned American playwright and theater director Tina Landau to create a stage show that captured the cartoon’s spirit. Instead of a single composer, Landau brought in about 15 artists to contribute original songs, including John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler, Lady A, Panic! At the Disco and The Flaming Lips, among others, and added music by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Palety. The songs were unified by Tom Kitt’s additional music and Jonathan Coulton’s lyrics.
“The end result is an incredibly memorable, fun and inspired soundtrack that helps create the spirit of Bikini Bottom, the imaginary home of SpongeBob and his friends,” a news release states.
The plot was not derived from any of the animated stories but was instead given an original concept.
In the show, when the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world.
With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up.
Can the power of optimism save the world?
In Bikini Bottom, everything is possible!
Auditions will be held at the Garfield Center for the Arts, located at 210 High St. in downtown Chestertown, on the following dates: Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m.
Auditions are open to anyone 10 and older. All roles are available for casting.
To audition, you must be prepared to sing a song that demonstrates your singing ability and your range. Singers are strongly discouraged from singing a cappella without accompaniment. A piano is available, but there will be no piano accompanist provided.
If an auditioner wishes to sing using piano sheet music, they must bring their own accompanist.
For karaoke-style accompaniments, a Bluetooth speaker will be provided. The Garfield Center for the Arts does not have a way to play from CD tracks or thumb drive files, so auditioners should have their playback music ready on their phone to broadcast over Bluetooth.
Readings from provided scripts may occur.
Additionally, some auditioners may be put through a light dance or movement audition, so auditioners should wear regular shoes or athletic shoes.
Character descriptions and additional information are available on the Garfield Center’s website at www.garfieldcenter.org/gcaevent/open-auditions-spongebob-musical/all/.