Ahoy, mateys!
For the past few months, the Immaculata-La Salle Drama Club has been hard at work on its next big musical production: The SpongeBob Musical, which will be performed right here at ILS May 6th-9th, is a stage adaptation of the long-running popular and iconic Nickelodeon cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, an animated program about a town under the sea named Bikini Bottom and the marine life that inhabits it. SpongeBob originally began airing in 1999, and is still releasing new episodes to this day. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2017, to great success.
The main plot of the show revolves around the titular character, a sea sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants and his best friend, a sea star, Patrick, along with a squirrel, Sandy, coming together to defeat the threat of Mount Humungous, a volcano which will devastate Bikini Bottom unless stopped. Of course, the other beloved inhabitants of Bikini Bottom are featured, getting up to nautical hijinks as well. Featuring songs written by musicians of the likes of David Bowie, Panic! At The Disco, There Might Be Giants, and more, The SpongeBob Musical features classic Spongebob humor, suspense, friendship, and fun.
For the Class of 2026, The SpongeBob Musical will be bittersweet as it will be their last time performing on the stage here at ILS. As a senior myself also performing in the show along with many of my classmates, I take a Theater class, taught by the show’s director, Mrs. Lianne Rodriguez. For this story, I spoke with these seniors, and asked them how they feel about going under the water for their last show.
“Im playing Patchy the Pirate which is very exciting since he is SpongeBob’s number one fan in the musical, and I am SpongeBob’s number one fan in real life. I’m loving acting, but what I really love doing is tech, which is why it’s also very exciting that I also get to be assistant director for this show. It’s a big honor and a lot of work, but since it’s my last show ,I want to go out doing everything I can. I think the thing I am going to miss the most when I graduate is Drama Club, so I am happy I get to do so much for my last show. It is hard work, but it is so worth it,” said Sabrina-Diaz Balart.
On top of her role as Patchy, Sabrina is co-directing the show, an unusual position for her, as she is usually Stage Manager. With this promotion, Sabrina has directed scenes on her own, being a great help to Mrs. Rodriguez.
“Leading up to the show, all the long rehearsals and stress feel like a small price to pay for the magic of this production. I’m a little nervous but mostly excited to play Perch Perkins. It’s a role that forced me to step out of my comfort zone, and it’s been so much fun discovering this new side of myself. It honestly breaks my heart that this is my last show at ILS. Being part of eight different productions here has shaped who I am, and I’m so grateful for every behind-the-scenes memory and every person I’ve met along the way. I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Skyler Granado.
A frequent actor, Skyler has also been Head of Wardrobe for multiple shows.
“Hello! I’m playing SpongeBob in this year’s spring musical! I am both excited and nervous for being the lead my senior year, SpongeBob specifically is a challenge because of his iconic-ness, I really need to push myself to be so… spongy. This show is going to be fantastic, nostalgic and very energetic so I’m very excited for people to see it. I feel honored that I have the opportunity to lead my friends and underclassmen in my final production here at ILS. It’s going to be a bittersweet goodbye as I’ve been in almost all the productions since my freshman year. I’ve done so much with theatre like participate in tech, act, and sing,” said Lara Torrens.
Lara also serves as president of the Drama Club.
Outside of my theater class, long-time Drama Club members Santiago Santos and Lia Vieiro also gave me their view on the work in progress.
“This show is definitely gonna be one of the biggest ones yet. Watching all of the effort we’ve slowly put in through the rehearsal process makes me extremely excited for what the audience is going to see. I think people are really gonna be blown away by the group numbers, especially the singing and dance numbers. I’ve been in the Drama Club for all four years of my high school career, and I think this show is definitely going to be one of the best we’ve put on. As a senior this year, this show really means a lot to me, as it is not only my last with ILS, but with all of my friends. It’s definitely bittersweet to think about this show as my goodbye, but as a senior show, I think we’ve truly pulled out all the stops to make it something everyone will enjoy,” said Lia Vieiro.
Lia is also secretary of the Drama Club.
“I’m Prop Master here for the Drama Club and this being my last show here at ILS is both something exciting and sadly heartbreaking. I’ve been here since my sophomore year and I can say that this show will be one of the best we’ve done because many of us seniors are going to put our hearts into this. This club, the people in it, and the shows we’ve done have meant so much to me these past few years, and I want to help end our time here with a bang. I think this show will be a fantastic experience and I hope to see everyone there,” said Santiago Santos.
Santi has been very helpful making sure props are where they should be for every show during his time here at ILS.
SpongeBob SquarePants is a beloved cartoon, enjoyed by people of all ages. Just like the show, the musical is for everyone, and has a powerful message that everyone should hear: Anyone, even a sponge, can change the world – or the sea. While the seniors are giving it their all for their last show, there are many people acting and working on this show who weren’t featured in this article, yet have also put a lot of time, talent, and effort into bringing this musical to life.
All of us would appreciate it if you swam to see The SpongeBob Musical, performing May 6-9th.
