Jon Rua Left Spongebob

[Golenboybway]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 5:19pm

I’ve noticed that Jon Rua has been out a lot at Spongebob and today Brandon Espinoza posted on his Instagram that he will taking over as Patchy. I wonder what happened?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 5:54pm

That's a shame. Does anyone know if Brandon Espinoza plays the accordion? I know they changed the beginning of "Poor Pirates" so Jon wouldn't have to play it. Hope whatever he's moved on to is great!

[Rainah]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 6:11pm

Oh goodness, I hope he's okay. Big fan

[Scott Rosson]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 6:15pm

I loved him in Spongebob and I am a fan of his choreography (JCS at Muny) Hopefully he has a project lined up.

[taylortrensch]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 1:05am

Jon Rua is TEMPORARILY leaving Spongebob.


According to Alex Gibson who's a Spongebob swing, Jon got injured. He's been out for almost a month now and Jesse Johnson and Alex himself have been covering the role of Patchy the Pirate.

Brandon (who's dating Lauralyn from Spongebob) was hired to replace Jon for a couple months, and they also hired Jordan Grubb as a vacation swing! 

[AntV]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 3:13am

Why don't they stuntcast Tom Kenny as Patchy?

[taylortrensch]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 3:39am

AntV said: "Why don't they stuntcast Tom Kenny as Patchy?"

In addition to Patchy the Pirate, Jon also plays a bunch of other characters like a screaming Krabby Patty, a sardine, and one of Plankton's back up dancers in his solo song (that Jon choreographed) that has very difficult dance moves. Also, Jon plays the accordion. He's no Josh Groban, but he can play and they didn't change Poor Pirates for him. I don't think Tom Kenny has the time to be Patchy as he still voice acts for the cartoon. Even if Tom was exclusively Patchy and not the other roles and he had time to do it, I don't think they have enough money to pay him along with their 25+ cast members. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 8:19am

Well, Tom Kenny has experience playing multiple diverse roles as a cast member on Mr. Show. I would genuinely not be surprised if he shows up in the show, and a swing handles the difficult dance portions for him. Kenny does tons of side work, but he only has two major shows as lead actor (SpongeBob and Adventure Time), and Adventure Time is ending now.

[Playbill_Trash]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 9:49am

I think the idea of a Tom Kenny cameo stint is great. 

Do people here think that given the majority of the audience that has been going to this show (kids and their parents) that he would get a lot of recognition on stage? Would kids that watch the cartoon and parents that watch their kids watch the cartoon remember his face and distinct voice?

I think diehard fans of the show that were kids when it premiered and are older now probably would recognize him. I'm really only asking for opinions because in my mind, in the hypothetical case that he does go into the show, I would want him to get the entrance applause that he deserves.

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 10:02am

I think that Tom Kenny having a cameo would be a great idea! Obviously I don't know him personally, but he seems like the type of person who would love to do it too. However, there is the question of if that will even bring in an audience..... I'm 17 and grew up on the cartoon so personally it would be a draw for me (and a couple friends of mine too) but I don't think any children would really care. Maybe the parents would though?

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 11:28am

SpongeBob's got a pecular multigenerational appeal, due in no small part to its role as the bedrock of online "meme culture." Kenny would undoubtedly get a big reaction, especially if one or two of his more recognizable voices made cameos in the Patchy track's various other parts.

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 12:11pm

AntV said: "Why don't they stuntcast Tom Kenny as Patchy?"

Stuntcasting means getting someone who will make a difference at the box office.