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SPONGEBOB Reviews
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LimelightMike
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#1
Posted: 12/4/17 at 9:42am

I'm ready! I'm ready, i'm ready! I'M READY!

Post 'em here! Let's discuss! :)

LimelightMike's 2010-2011 Theatergoing Schedule: THE PITMEN PAINTERS (10.03.10) A LIFE IN THE THEATRE (10.10.10) BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON (10.16.10) THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (11.06.10) WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (11.13.10) BRIEF ENCOUNTER (11.22.10) THE PEE-WEE HERMAN SHOW (11.28.10) LA BETE (12.23.10) A SMALL FIRE (01.13.11) THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (03.09.11) ARCADIA (03.16.11) BLACK TIE (03.19.11) PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT (03.21.11) THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (03.26.11) BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO (03.30.11) GHETTO KLOWN (03.31.11) HOW TO SUCCEED... (04.07.11) ANYTHING GOES (04.12.11) JERUSALEM (04.20.11) SISTER ACT (04.29.11) iHO: (05.22.11)
Updated On: 12/4/17 at 09:42 AM
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#2
Posted: 12/4/17 at 11:43am

I just checked ticketmaster to look at some upcoming performances. The ticket sales are abysmal. Not even a quarter of the orchestra sold for this Friday and Saturday.....They need some raves tonight

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#3
Posted: 12/4/17 at 11:56am

I feel like they might not be flat-out raves, but they'll be kind. Not scathing. 

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#4
Posted: 12/4/17 at 12:16pm

I saw the show on Wednesday night from second row, center. There were some empty seats, but mostly it was full. And let me say - AMAZING show. Never thought I'd say that when this was announced, but I couldn't possibly love it more. If it weren't for the fact that he's playing Spongebob, Ethan Slater would be a dead ringer for that TONY this year. What an amazing star-making performance. That dude has it ALL and works his ass off! I can't imagine how exhausted he must be after a two show day. 

I see this being the SHREK of the year... People will like it, some will LOVE it, it'll get kind reviews, but it probably won't last long... and after that, it'll be done EVERYWHERE. Doesn't help that it's playing in one of the biggest houses on Broadway... It's just so hard for "kid/family" shows to succeed nowadays.

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#5
Posted: 12/4/17 at 3:18pm

Overkill said: "I saw the show on Wednesday night from second row, center. There were some empty seats, but mostly it was full. And let me say - AMAZING show. Never thought I'd say that when this was announced, but I couldn't possibly love it more. If it weren't for the fact that he's playing Spongebob,Ethan Slater would be a dead ringer for that TONY this year. What an amazingstar-making performance. That dude has it ALL and works his ass off! I can't imagine how exhausted he must be after a two show day.

I see this beingthe SHREK of the year... People will like it, some will LOVE it, it'll get kind reviews, but it probably won't last long... and after that, it'll be done EVERYWHERE. Doesn't help that it's playing in one of the biggest houses on Broadway... It's just so hard for "kid/family" shows to succeed nowadays."

THIS.

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#6
Posted: 12/4/17 at 3:26pm

Funny fact for my fellow 90s kids: Lesli Margherita just tweeted that she's the singing voice in the old episode where Spongebob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs look for the Flying Dutchman's treasure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79Nh3I0Oiw

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#7
Posted: 12/4/17 at 4:31pm

Overkill said: "It's just so hard for "kid/family" shows to succeed nowadays."

Then how do you explain Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?  No snark intended.  I just heard that show was awful and after being away for 6 months, I was surprised to come back and see it still playing...

Back to Spongebob, I am surprised to hear many people enjoy it.  I find the cartoon annoying, so I haven't seen it, and have no desire to, but I wish all involved the best of luck and hope the reviews are good.

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#8
Posted: 12/4/17 at 5:15pm

Overkill said: "It's just so hard for "kid/family" shows to succeed nowadays."

Aladdin? Lion King? School of Rock? Anastasia?

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#9
Posted: 12/4/17 at 5:39pm

Went Saturday night and while it wasn't a total loss (Ethan Slater was terrific, what they did to the Palace Theater was truly unexpected and quite effective, I felt like they really invested in the sound system in there too... very cool sound effects guy house left...Jai'len Christine Li Josey's voice is outstanding ...) my biggest issue with the show is that is just wasn't that funny. Others will disagree but I was pretty disappointed. (Jon Rua if you're reading this, please annunciate better in Poor Pirates. That's a very clever song but if no one can understand what you're singing it falls flat) 

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#10
Posted: 12/4/17 at 5:43pm

ChiTheaterFan said: "Overkill said: "It's just so hard for "kid/family" shows to succeed nowadays."

Then how do you explain Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? No snark intended. I just heard that show was awful and after being away for 6 months, I was surprised to come back and see it still playing..."

 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is closing on January 14th.

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#11
Posted: 12/4/17 at 5:55pm

^Yes, bad choice - but look at Haterobic's titles.   Family fare does well -- IF adults also want to see this.   

 

Now, I have not seen this, and have no desire to do so.  That being said...if my kids were younger and wanted to see this, I'm pretty sure I still wouldn't go -- the thought of paying b'way prices for SPONGEBOB annoyance (to me) is non-negotiable.  I suggest that many adults might feel the same way.

 

Time will tell.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#12
Posted: 12/4/17 at 6:05pm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/spongebob-squarepants-bubbly-musical-delight-palace-theatre/

 

The Telegraph has given it 4/5 stars!

 

"Dare I say that adults as well as children are likely to find SpongeBob absorbing"

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#13
Posted: 12/4/17 at 6:08pm

The humor in Spongebob to anyone who isn't already a fan is really weird and wacky, and the television show itself mostly appeals to those who were the right age for it to have an impact - people born in the late 90s, like me. There's something special about a huge chunk of a generation being able to share inside jokes from a silly animated show about a sponge. It's a niche thing, and I completely understand if people outside of that specific group don't immediately gravitate toward it.

Shows like Charlie, School of Rock and Lion King all had something going for them to appeal to a wider audience: a Broadway star + classic book, a popular film, Disney + beautiful visuals. For Spongebob, the task was to find a way to make it appealing to everyone, or at least enough to fill the majority of a 1700 seat house. I hope the critics believe they have.

Updated On: 12/4/17 at 06:08 PM
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#14
Posted: 12/4/17 at 7:22pm

amNY is mostly positive (3/4 stars).

usn120 said: "Really... REALLY...? It's been 8 years and you thought it was worth bumping to share that you THINK Broadway "Star" Alex Wyse is Jewish?"
Updated On: 12/4/17 at 07:22 PM
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#15
Posted: 12/4/17 at 7:32pm

Time Out New York is very positive, though it gives it 4/5 stars.

usn120 said: "Really... REALLY...? It's been 8 years and you thought it was worth bumping to share that you THINK Broadway "Star" Alex Wyse is Jewish?"
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#16
Posted: 12/4/17 at 7:43pm

The Hollywood Reporter is mixed-to-positive...
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/spongebob-squarepants-theater-1064137

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Danielle49
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#18
Posted: 12/4/17 at 8:06pm
Variety is positive

http://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/spongebob-squarepants-review-broadway-musical-1202629957/
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#19
Posted: 12/4/17 at 8:16pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "Time Out New York is very positive, though it gives it 4/5 stars."

I love this excerpt from the review - so true!! The set is pure magic!

"But what send the show soaring are David Zinn’s sensational costumes and set, which includes Rube Goldberg–esque contraptions on each side of the stage. (It's like what everyone wanted but didn't get at Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.)"

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#20
Posted: 12/4/17 at 8:24pm
So far is seems like they're saying it's nonsense ("nautical" nonsense, if you will. I'm sorry.), but fun and irresistible. Any negativity is coming from the critics who simply don't care for that kind of silly fare. Like how the Tribune just called it what "regular people" go to the theater for.

I take that as a success for Tina Landau in keeping it true to the show.
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#21
Posted: 12/4/17 at 8:37pm
Even with raves, this show will struggle. The out of town reviews were kind and positive and they couldn’t sell tickets. Sounds like they haven’t changed much. Some shows click with the masses and some don’t. This will pick up during holidays and have a hard winter.

Plus it’s too expensive to bring all the kids. Broadway is tough on families with a budget.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
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SPONGEBOB Reviews#23
Posted: 12/4/17 at 8:59pm

HuffPost is very positive! They called it the best musical of the season!

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/spongebob-squarepants-the-musical-is-the-surprise_us_5a25cd24e4b0b1dc3502ab23

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SPONGEBOB Reviews#24
Posted: 12/4/17 at 9:02pm

It reads as negative to me.

Really happy that Wesley is being a constant shout out in these reviews! Double Featured Actor nominees for Wesley and Gavin?

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