The SpongeBob Musical

Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg

Book by Kyle Jarrow

Musical Production

Conceived by Tina Landau

CO-PRODUCED WITH

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Neptune Theatre is located on sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial. We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.

As artists, we are grateful to work and build community here. As stewards of culture, we commit to continuing to improve our relations with Indigenous people and upholding values of collaboration and inclusivity in all that we do.

We strongly recommend that masks be worn in our venues. As our theatres place the audience so close to the action on stage, masking helps protect not only audience members but also the actors, who cannot wear masks when performing. By keeping them safe, we all can help prevent COVID-related performance cancellations.

Any videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. The use of cameras, cellular phones, paging devices and all other recording devices is strictly prohibited in the theatre. Please ensure all cellular phones and watch alarms are turned off. Neptune Theatre is a scent-free environment.

Neptune Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional Artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Neptune Theatre engages professional technicians represented by IATSE Local 680.

Neptune Theatre acknowledges the support of our government partners:

NICKELODEON, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, AND ALL RELATED TITLES, LOGOS AND CHARACTERS ARE TRADEMARKS OF VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC. THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM

CAST

Alex Annis Sardine

Annika Murray Sandy

Aria Arsenault Mrs Puff

Ben Walker Electric Skate / Ensemble

Bréann Reyner Security Guard / Ensemble

Bridget Carrigan Pearl

Cameron Boulter Mr Krabs

Catherine Kozousek Bartender / Ensemble

Danella Calina Plankton

Emma Toope Perch Perkins

Jordan Angevine Old Man Jenkins

Kaitlyn McQuillan French Narrator / Ensemble

Kalan McKay Patrick

Maggie DeSaulniers Gary / Ensemble

MJ Massey Ensemble

Nadia Tonen Sardine

Nelanga Mtshali Mayor

Neve Lohnes SpongeBob

Rae Steeves Buster Blue Tang

Samira George Sardine / Security Guard

Sivan Nurilov Larry the Lobster / Electric Skate

Solène Gadbois Patchy the Pirate / Sardine

Summer Hartlin Electric Skate / Ensemble

Tennessee Toombs Squidward

Vera Dunlop-Vaillancourt Karen

CREATIVE TEAM

Julia Topple Director

Geordie Brown Music Director

Stephane Gaudet* Choreographer

Lucas Arab Scenic & Projection Designer

Helena Marriott Costume Designer

Sean Burke Lighting Designer

Emma Lamont Sound Designer

Gina Thornhill* Stage Manager

Brittney Whitaker Assistant Stage Manager

MUSICIANS

Geordie Brown Keyboard / Ukulele / Kazoo

Julien Kitson Guitar / Base / Banjo / Clarinet

Matt Gallant Drum Kit

*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

I am delighted to welcome you to the Youth Performance Company’s production of Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical. Our Theatre School is celebrating its Ruby Anniversary - 40 years - this season, and we are all so proud of our graduates’, and alumni’s, legacy. The young actors who make up our YPCo program are dedicated, talented, and driven - all traits that will serve them well moving forward. The Theatre School is a leader in inclusive programming, and has been the leader in bringing ASL interpretation, audio description, and Relaxed Performances to our audiences.

If you’re interested in supporting our Theatre School, you can contact Director of Education Laura Caswell at lcaswell@neptunetheatre.com

Catherine Bagnell Styles Interim Executive Director

The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes centre stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!

The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow, with original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander 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., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt. The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau.

SPECIAL THANKS

AMANDA BURNETTE

THE PARENT VOLUNTEERS

KAITLYN RILEY

ALICIA WHEATLEY

SOPHIA BOISVE

ALISTAR SYMS

KATHERINE THOMPSON

MADDIE MAITZEN

OSCAR ARAB

FOUNTAIN SCHOOL PROPS DEPARTMENT

NEPTUNE THEATRE TECH DEPARTMENT

NEPTUNETHEATRE.COM

ORIGINALLY PRESENTED IN LONDON BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES STAGE PRODUCTIONS,WORKING TITLE FILMS, OLD VIC PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIGER PRODUCTIONS.

BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL PICTURES/STUDIO CANAL FILM. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM

My name is Rae Steeves, I’m a climate/social justice activist, and cast member of Neptune YPCo’s Spongebob Musical. I first got involved with activism at age twelve, and since then I have had the opportunity to meet with politicians, policy makers, and activists across the country to help develop and implement equitable legislation, and an overarching culture of equity and change in local communities. I have also had the opportunity to represent Canada in a global climate conference (MOCK- COP26), work at Young Canadians

Parliament with Children’s First Canada, and co-author my own book about intersectional feminism.

Theatre is a genuine sociopolitical force. A tool for change makers, a way to highlight important stories.

We hope this show is a chance for people to reflect on our oceans, and our earth. A chance to appreciate the beauty of the underwater world, and an urgent call to action.

We can respond to this crisis by pressuring politicians to take action, and helping out local organizations. While doing this, it is important to recognize the inherent intersections of this crisis. Climate justice is Indigenous justice, is queer justice, is black justice, and more.

We hope this story inspires you to take action to protect our beautiful home, and the people and creatures living on it.

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION:

Fill out a volunteer profile at ecologyaction.ca/volunteer to get started

Offer support by sending an email to schoolstrike4climatehfx@gmail.com

Fill out a petitioin for the “Stop the willow project” https://chng.it/gwJ2qKRSdz

more ways to

One of the favourite parts of my job as the Director of Education is selecting and programming the YPCo productions. As I watched our youth power through and shake things off after the recent tumultuous few years, I knew I needed a show that was fun, energetic and something everyone could enjoy. It became quickly apparent that the SpongeBob Musical was an obvious choice.

Then the next fun step; find the team! I couldn’t have asked for a better creative team than the incredible group (full of former YPCo mem- bers); Julia Topple’s precise and creative direction, Stephane Gaudets challenging and empowering choreography, and the incredible talent of Geordie Brown and his wondrous band have meant that this show is unlike any YPCo show you have ever seen.

Lucas Arab has been an essential part of our operations over the past three years and has knocked it out of the park with his playful yet chique set design. Emma Lamonts quirky sound effects, and Helena Marriot’s over the top costumes are the perfect compliment to the underwater dance party lights created by Sean Burke. Thanks also to June Zinck, person of all trades and Andrew Cull, Garrett Barker, and the entire tech team who made this show possible.

Gina Thornhill’s knowledge and patience and Brittney Whitakers drive and compassion make a stage management team broadway would be jealous of. A special shout out to our secret helper Kaitlyn and our parent ambassador Amanda who put all the finishing touches onto your entire experience..

And this cast. Twenty five incredible people who can simultaneously bring a tear to your eye and melt your heart with every gesture and note sung.

As you get comfortable in your seats, I ask you to take a moment to reflect on those who have been here since time immemorial; the Mi’kmaq. Our company is proud to share their values of care for Mother Earth, collaboration and inclusivity which allows us to do our best work as we explore our world of Bikini Bottom.

Laura Caswell Producer, The Spongebob Musical

LUCAS ARAB

In the summer of 2008, my parents signed me up for a two-week musical theatre boot camp with Neptune Theatre. The program challenged me in ways I had never been challenged before. I was given the responsibilities of a real theatre professional, and mentored by some incredibly talented and passionate local artists.

I am thrilled to be making my directorial debut with The SpongeBob Musical, and this amazing group of performers, creatives, and crew. This entire team has come together to create something truly special, and I know you’ll feel it from the moment

you enter the theatre, to the moment you’re humming the songs on the drive home.

Take a deep breath, hold onto your “Bikini Bottoms”, and dive into the deep end with us! Enjoy the show, and thanks for supporting live theatre!

Julia Topple Director, The Spongebob Musical

Garrett Barker: Technical Director

Andrew Cull: Assistant Technical Director

June Zinck: Sound Engineer

Kat Jones: Stagehand/RF Tech

Sean Burke: Stagehand

Hanna Laaksonen: Head of Props

Cassie Seaboyer: Props

Tessa Brentwood: Props

Kaitlyn Riley: Props assistant

Nicole Flynn: Interim Head

Scenic Carpenter

PRODUCTION LIST

Jake Bond: Scenic Carpenter

Al Collett: Scenic Painter

Tomas Hiseler: Scenic Painter

Ben Cable: Installation Crew

Liz Wile: Installation Crew

Jeff Pineau: Installation Crew

Amelia George: Installation Crew

Jordan Palmer: Sound Consultant

Gilann Lafreniere: Head Driver

ALEX ANNIS

Role: Sardine

ANNIKA MURRAY

Role: Sandy

ARIA ARSENAULT

Role: Mrs Puff (US Mayor)

BEN WALKER

Role: Electric Skate / Ensemble (US Squidward)

BRÉANN REYNER

Role: Security Guard / Ensemble (US Pearl)

BRIDGET CARRIGAN

Role: Pearl

CAMERON BOULTER

Role: Mr Krabs

CATHERINE KOZOUSEK

Role: Bartender / Ensemble (US Patrick)

DANELLA CALINA

Role: Plankton

EMMA TOOPE

Role: Perch Perkins

JORDAN ANGEVINE

Role: Old Man Jenkins (US Plankton)

KAITLYN MCQUILLAN

Role: French Narrator / Ensemble (US Mr Krabs)

KALAN MCKAY

Role: Patrick

MAGGIE DeSAULNIERS

Role: Gary / Ensemble (US Sandy)

MJ MASSEY

Role: Ensemble (US Perch Perkins)

NADIA TONEN

Role: Sardine (US Patchy the Pirate)

NELANGA MTSHALI

Role: Mayor

NEVE LOHNES

Role: SpongeBob

RAE STEEVES

Role: Buster Blue Tang (US Karen)

SAMIRA GEORGE

Role: Sardine / Security Guard

SIVAN NURILOV

Role: Larry the Lobster / Electric Skate

MUSICIANS

SOLÈNE GADBOIS

Role: Patchy the Pirate / Sardine

Role: (US SpongeBob)

GEORDIE BROWN

Role: Keyboard / Ukulele / Kazoo

JULIEN KITSON

Role: Guitar / Base / Banjo / Clarinet

MATT GALLANT

Role: Drum Kit

JULIA TOPPLE

ROLE: Director

NEPTUNE: Peter Pan; Pleasureville; It’s A Wonderful Life

OTHER THEATRE: Assassins, Heathers: The Musical (Whale Song Theatre); The Pirate Show (DaPoPo Theatre); Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (Grafton Street Dinner Theatre); Yes People, No People (Halifax Fringe Festival); Spring Awakening (Neptune Theatre School, MTFP). TRAINING: Neptune Theatre School’s Musical Theatre Foundation Program; BFA Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus.

GEORDIE BROWN

ROLE: Music Director / Keyboard / Ukulele / Kazoo

NEPTUNE: Stan Rogers: A Matter of Heart, The Songs of The Rat Pack, Disney’s High School Musical, ELF (‘12) OTHER THEATRE: Jukebox Hero (Ed Mirvish, Toronto); Singalong Jubilee, Pleasureville, Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King, Stan Rogers: A Matter of Heart, Anne & Gilbert (The Guild, PEI); Could I Have This Dance? (Rebecca Cohn / Anne Murray Centre); A Rat Pack Christmas (Spatz); RENT (DGM); Rocky Mountain High, Starbright Christmas (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Forever Plaid (Chester Playhouse); The Advent Show (7 seasons); Million Dollar Quartet, The Comedy of Errors (Grove Theatre ‘23). FILM/TV: The Tenth Circle, The Single Mom (Lifetime); Made In Canada, Mr. D (CBC); Haven (SyFy); Stephen King’s Bag of Bones, The Riverman (A&E).

STEPHANE GAUDET

ROLE: Choreographer Stephane Gaudet (He/Him) is a musical theatre artist who has performed in theatres across Canada. Additionally, he has toured internationally in a variety of live productions. SELECT CREDITS INCLUDE: Neptune Theatre, The Charlottetown Festival, Stephenville Theatre Festival, Nickelodeon and Aida Cruise Line. He is a graduate with honours of the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. Most recently, Stephane has become a dance educator for the Prep and YPCo programs at Neptune Theatre School. He feels very privileged to be a part of Neptune’s reopening in these challenging times.

HELENA MARRIOTT

ROLE: Costume Designer

NEPTUNE: 20+ productions— recent favorites include Cinderella, Noises Off, KAMP (co-production with Eastern Front Theatre). OTHER THEATRE: Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (CBC). OTHER: Love to the cast, crew, my family and friends.

LUCAS ARAB

ROLE: Scenic & Projection Designer

NEPTUNE: Little Women (YPCo) OTHER THEATRE: Peer Gynt, Capture, A Northern Lights Dream (FSPA), Shakespeare’s Time Machine, Knight of the Bat (The Villains Theatre).

TRAINING: Current student at the Fountain School of Performing Arts OTHER: My ten year old self is scattered amongst every design element of this production, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to design a show that radiates positivity and the message of hope. Thank you to all of the incredible crew and builders who are unseen by the audience, my amazing Neptune team, and my very supportive family. You are in for a treat as you get transported into the iconic world of Bikini Bottom

SEAN BURKE

ROLE: Lighting Designer

Sean has more than 30 years experience as a Lighting/ Projection designer for Theatre, Opera, and Dance. He also frequently works as a Technical Director, Production Manager, and Creative Director. He has worked as a technician at Neptune for 20 years He is the 2018 Merritt Award winner for Outstanding Technician. He is a member of Associated Designers of Canada IATSE/ADC659, and IATSE 680. He looks forward to this collaboration with YPCO.

EMMA LAMONT

ROLE: Sound Designer

Emma is a technical theatre student based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and they are overjoyed to be working on the SpongeBob Musical! A handful of their behind the scenes credits include Encounters at the Edge of the Woods; Oh What a Lovely War (Hart House Theatre), Dog in the Manger; People, Places, and Things; The Crucible; Tamer Tamed; 7 Stories (Fountain School of Performing Arts), Hamlet; Cinderelly (Shakespeare by the Sea), and Breaking the Lense (Halifax Fringe). OTHER: They would like to thank their family, Olivier, and their evil little cat Pluto.

GINA THORNHILL

ROLE: Stage Manager

NEPTUNE: Actor - The Woman in Black, Fallout/ The Forest in my Room (Neptune Touring Company) SM - Elf the Musical, Neptune Theatre School’s YPCo. OTHER THEATRE: Beyond the Sea (Mulgrave Road Theatre); Romeo & Juliet: A Drink Along (Tea Time Creation Co.); Some Blow Flutes (HomeFirst Theatre); Pugwash (Ship’s Company Theatre); Slut: The Play (LunaSea Theatre) FILM/TV: Chapelwaite (CTV Sci-fi); Fizzy (Afro Viking Pictures); Diggstown (CBC); The Mist (Paramount); Feverish (Fuguists Productions) OTHER: Gina is also an instructor with the Neptune Theatre School, working with youth in various capacities.

BRITTNEY WHITAKER

ROLE: Assistant Stage Manager

Brittney is super excited to jump into the role of Assistant Stage Manager for SpongeBob! She graduated from Dalhousie University with honours in Acting and has worked with many people in the Theatre community such as, Phillip Akin, Linda Moore, and Zuppa Theatre Company. She loves music, sketch comedy, collective creation, and detailed script work, like Shakespeare. Brittney has been a part of the Neptune Theatre School for over five years in many instructor and supervisor positions.

ACT I

Bikini Bottom Day Jonathan Coulton

Bikini Bottom Day Coulton

No Control David Bowie & Brian Eno

BFF Plain White T’s

When the Going Gets Tough by T.I.

(Just a) Simple Sponge Panic! at the Disco

Daddy Knows Best Alex Ebert

Hero Is My Middle Name Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman

Super Sea Star Savior Yolanda Adams

Tomorrow Is The Flaming Lips

ACT II

Poor Pirates Sara Bareilles

Bikini Bottom Day Coulton

Bikini Bottom Boogie Steven Tyler & Joe Perry

Chop to the Top Lady Antebellum

(I Guess I) Miss You John Legend

I’m Not a Loser by They Might Be Giants

(Just a) Simple Sponge Panic! at the Disco

Best Day Ever Andy Paley & Tom Kenny

Bikini Bottom Day Coulton

SpongeBob SquarePants Theme Song Derek Drymon

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