Coal City District 1 theater department heads under the sea with ‘The SpongeBob Musical’

Coal City School District 1’s theater department is heading deep into the depths of the ocean with its performance of “The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

According to a news release, the cast of sixth, seventh and eighth graders from Coal City Middle School have been preparing to share the story of the day the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover a volcano is set to erupt and destroy their piece of the sea.

The musical – full of singing and dancing – focuses on how the underwater community comes together in the face of danger and demise, and how every community has an unsung hero or two.

“The cast has embraced the story, and their storytelling is something you don’t want to miss,” director Jack Micetich said in the release.

The musical is based on the popular animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow. The music features original songs from artists including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, They Might Be Giants and plenty of other well-known musicians. The music will have audience members moving in their seats and playing on repeat as they exit the performing arts center.

Always plotting a plan is Plankton, played by Carson Picchi [right] and his computer wife, Karen, played by Pearl Fridd. — Always plotting is Plankton, played by Carson Picchi, and his computer wife, Karen, played by Pearl Friddle. (Photo provided by the Coal City Theatre Department)

“The student voices have really come together, and vocally, it’s one of the strongest casts we have worked with,” Micetich said.

The cast is led by Jett Johnson in the title role of SpongeBob SquarePants, and his best friend Patrick Star is played by Derek Maxwell. The only non-sea creature in the show – Sandy Cheeks – is played by Gabby Byers.

Eathyn Rivera takes the stage as the grumpy Squidward; Landyn Pierard is this show’s Mr. Krabs; and his daughter, Pearl, is played by Ryleigh Kargle. Carson Picchi takes on the villainous role of Plankton, and standing by his side is his wife, Karen, a role portrayed by Pearl Friddle.

There also is Cele Gordon as mayor of Bikini Bottom; Tristan Brncich as Larry the Lobster; Caroline Grunwald as Mrs. Puff; Danny Matsko as Perch Perkins; Ryan Hausman as Old Man Jenkins; and the trio known as the Electric Skates, played by Layne Motzny, Brayden Brncich and Jelenie Opyd. Narrating it all is eighth grader Patrick Doerfler.

Coal City School District 1's theater department will present "The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition" this weekend in the Coal City Performing Arts Center at Coal City High School. Taking the stage are Derek Maxwell as Patrick Star, Gabby Byers as Sandy Cheeks and Jett Johnson as SpongeBob SquarePants. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. (Photo provided by the Coal City Theatre Department)

In all, there are 61 students taking the stage for this production.

“As their director, I could not be more proud of their hard work this fall,” Micetich said. “We are very excited for show week and to share this story with audiences.”

Reserved seat tickets are available at bit.ly/CCTheatreDept or at the door, cash only, beginning one hour before each show. On-site sales will close five minutes before each scheduled performance.

“The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition" is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.