Attendance for Spongebob

[crazy_for_broadway]

Does anyone know how the attendance is for Spongebob? I’m looking to go on July 11 (evening show) and would love to catch Ethan Slater

[Fiyero13]

no this is pretty much a crapshoot because they don't announce it and you don't know about it until you get into the show who's going on

So i'd say you have to take your chances

[Eliza2]

https://twitter.com/understudies/status/1010587838331654144

Curtis Holbrook (@CurtisHolbrook) will be on as @SpongeBobBway Tuesday at 7, both shows Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3 next week, June 26 through July 1!

[crazy_for_broadway]

Eliza2 said: "https://twitter.com/understudies/status/1010587838331654144

Curtis Holbrook (@CurtisHolbrook) will be on as @SpongeBobBway Tuesday at 7, both shows Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3 next week, June 26 through July 1!"

Thanks! And Fieryo13, sorry, I should’ve been more clear and asked if he’s typically put in certain days (such as matinees on Wednesday and saturdays) 

[taylortrensch]

Eliza2 said: "https://twitter.com/understudies/status/1010587838331654144

Curtis Holbrook (@CurtisHolbrook) will be on as @SpongeBobBway Tuesday at 7, both shows Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3 next week, June 26 through July 1!"

Jesse JP Johnson will be Spongebob on Thursday June 28 and Sat June 30! 

[taylortrensch]

Also, as for Ethan - his attendance is a hit or miss. Next week will be his first vacation, but he usually is out for one show a week. There's no definite show but I notice that he's usually out on two show day matinees if he does miss a show that week. He hasn't done all 8 in a while now

[ak72090]

Going Saturday evening, so I should expect JP then? Saw it already with Ethan how is JP?

[taylortrensch]

ak72090 said: "Going Saturday evening, so I should expect JP then? Saw it already with Ethan how is JP?"

Saturday June 30th matinee will be Curtis and the evening show will be Jesse. I think Ethan is the best Spongebob but Jessie is wonderful - I enjoyed him in Wicked and his performance of Simple Sponge on YouTube is great. Enjoy the show! 

[motelcitizen]

Concerning the general attendance, it seems that a fair number of actors were out this week or will be taking vacations next week -- Brian Ray Norris and Brynn Williams were on for Patrick and Sandy, respectively, both Thursday and Friday; Abby Smith was Pearl yesterday and Brynn performed that track today; Vasthy was out earlier this week, and will be going on as Sandy July 3rd and 5th; additionally, during Brynn's live yesterday, Gibby alluded to both himself and JC Schuster playing Squidward in the same week, (presumably in accordance with the other vacations?)

Also, I know it's been discussed a bit, but Ethan's attendance is rather intriguing to me? He never missed a show in Chicago, and his first absence/Curtis's Spongebob debut was late March, approximately five months into the run. Curtis then adopted an alternate-esque schedule, usually performing for matinees, but to my admittedly limited knowledge, (feel free to correct me), Ethan has not missed a show since the Tonys. However, I still wonder if either Curtis or Jesse will officially become an alternate for Spongebob, or if the awards season coupled with the vocal and physical demands of the role was simply too strenuous, and now that everything has calmed down, Ethan will resume a more regular attendance?

[taylortrensch]

motelcitizen said: "Concerning the general attendance,it seems that a fair number of actors were out this week or will be taking vacations next week -- Brian Ray Norris and Brynn Williams were on for Patrick and Sandy, respectively,both Thursday and Friday; Abby Smith was Pearl yesterday and Brynn performed that track today; Vasthy was out earlier this week, and will be going on as Sandy July 3rd and 5th; additionally, during Brynn's live yesterday, Gibby alluded to both himself and JC Schuster playing Squidward in the same week, (presumably in accordance with the other vacations?)"

I'm not sure if Gavin Lee has any planned vacations but Wesley will be on vacation some time in late July. JC Schuster will be out the same week as Ethan so Alex Gibby will be Old Man Jenkins. 

 

[ak72090]

taylortrensch said: "ak72090 said: "Going Saturday evening, so I should expect JP then? Saw it already with Ethan how is JP?"

Saturday June 30th matinee will be Curtis and the evening show will be Jesse. I think Ethan is the best Spongebob but Jessie is wonderful - I enjoyed him in Wicked and his performance of Simple Sponge on YouTube is great. Enjoy the show!"

I just checked out the YouTube video you were talking about, and I’ve got to say I’m impressed, and excited to see him. How is he physically in the show? That’s what I (and probably everyone else) love about Ethan’s performance.

[mikem]

"Gibby alluded to both himself and JC Schuster playing Squidward in the same week"

 

motelcitizen, which week are you referring to?  The week of June 25 - July 1, or the week of July 2 - July 8?  Thanks in advance!

[taylortrensch]

mikem said: "motelcitizen, which week are you referring to? The week of June 25 - July 1, or the week of July 2 - July 8? Thanks in advance!"

JC can't play Squidward the week of June 25 - July 1 because he is on vacation. If there is a Squidward understudy, it will be Gibby. 

 

ak72090 said: " I just checked out the YouTube video you were talking about, and I’ve got to say I’m impressed, and excited to see him. How is he physically in the show? That’s what I (and probably everyone else) love about Ethan’s performance. "

So happy to hear that you liked his performance! I actually can't tell you how Jesse is physically in the show because he's never been on as Spongebob so he has never had to endure all of those rolls, flips, and ladder climbing outside of rehearsal. Jesse does a fantastic job at fulfilling the role of Kyle Hamilton who has a bit where he does a handstand on top of two skateboards and then flips off onto one of them, so I hope that if he can do that he can live up to Ethan physically! 

[ak72090]

taylortrensch said: "ak72090 said: "Going Saturday evening, so I should expect JP then? Saw it already with Ethan how is JP?"

Saturday June 30th matinee will be Curtis and the evening show will be Jesse. I think Ethan is the best Spongebob but Jessie is wonderful - I enjoyed him in Wicked and his performance of Simple Sponge on YouTube is great. Enjoy the show!"

Just rechecked a way understudies Twitter and it looks switched. Is this a typo on thier part or is Curtis on Saturday night? Thanks

[taylortrensch]

ak72090 said: "Just rechecked a way understudies Twitter and it looks switched. Is this a typo on thier part or is Curtis on Saturday night? Thanks"

Sorry, I think both of us were confused as Curtis announced a change in his schedule. Here is the complete & accurate schedule regarding Jesse & Curtis Sponge during Ethan's vacation:

Tuesday June 26th 7pm - Curtis 

Wednesday June 27th 2pm & 8pm - Curtis

Thursday June 28th 7pm - Jesse

Friday June 29th 8pm - Curtis

Saturday June 30th 2pm - Jesse

Saturday June 30th 8pm - Curtis

Sunday July 1st 3pm - Curtis

While Curtis is Spongebob, his ensemble tracks will be covered by Jordan G

[ak72090]

taylortrensch said: "ak72090 said: "Just rechecked a way understudies Twitter and it looks switched. Is this a typo on thier part or is Curtis on Saturday night? Thanks"

Sorry, I think both of us were confused as Curtis announced a change in his schedule. Here is the complete & accurate schedule regarding Jesse & Curtis Sponge during Ethan's vacation:

Tuesday June 26th 7pm - Curtis

Wednesday June 27th 2pm & 8pm - Curtis

Thursday June 28th 7pm - Jesse

Friday June 29th 8pm - Curtis

Saturday June 30th 2pm - Jesse

Saturday June 30th 8pm - Curtis

Sunday July 1st 3pm - Curtis

While Curtis is Spongebob, his ensemble tracks will be covered by Jordan G"

Hate to say that I’m disappointed , no offense to Curtis I’m sure he’ll be good

[motelcitizen]

mikem said: ""Gibby alluded to both himself and JC Schuster playing Squidward in the same week"

motelcitizen, which week are you referring to? The week of June 25 - July 1, or the week of July 2 - July 8? Thanks in advance!"

I apologize for any confusion! They did not specify the week that they were performing yet, only that the both of them would be going on as Squidward in the same week, if that makes sense? (I would imagine it's going to be similar to the Curtis and Jesse situation for Spongebob, but that's just a guess). As taylortrensch said that JC will be on vacation during the week of June 25th, (thank you for the info btw!), it would be logical to assume that Gavin's vacation is probably going to be no earlier than the week of July 2nd, (but, again, just another guess!) I apologize that I am currently unable to provide you with any specific dates.

[Elegance101]

If Ethan needs an alternate, give him one and tell the audience what performances he will be missing. I find it ridiculous how if you show up to Spongebob, it's totally up the air as to whether or not you'll see...Spongebob. I don't want to be hard on him, but him and the producers NEED to be more clear about this. Did we learn nothing from Ben Platt?

[BeadleDeedle]

He’s played all the performances the last two weeks. And he’s going on a much deserved vacation next week. Chill.

[ak72090]

Yeah it’s kind of the nature of ge beast, especially with a physically and vocally demanding show. I do not blame them at all. Side note, anyone care to offer their review of Curtis as spongebob? Taking my gf Saturday for her bday and he’ll be on.

[lczvera]

Went with a friend who had no idea he was the understudy. She loved him as SpongeBob. I'd say Curtis plays Spongebob slightly different (compared to Ethan) but great nonetheless. He performed at SpongeBob's google talk performance, you can check it out there. 

[ak72090]

lczvera said: "Went with a friend who had no idea he was the understudy. She loved him as SpongeBob. I'd sayCurtisplays Spongebob slightly different (compared to Ethan) but great nonetheless. He performed at SpongeBob's google talk performance, you can check it out there."

Thanks for this!! I wonder if Curtis was sick or something. I’ve never seen him perform before but it seemed like he couldn’t/didn’t want to hit some of the notes, and sounded raspy. Not the spongebob I’m used to but like he said isn’t he interview I guess he has his own take on it, which is to be expected.

[freewilma]

Wesley Taylor's vacation schedule...

"will be out of the show 7/5 and then 7/16-7/23 for vaca."

https://twitter.com/WesTayTay/status/1012016993917194240

[SarahNYC2]

We saw Curtis yesterday. There were a number of alternates. I had zero expectations about this show. My daughter, age 10, has been to many shows and is serious about musical theater. Her performance camp performed a few songs from the show and suddenly she wanted to see it. So I was able to fit it in between My Fair Lady on Tuesday evening and Mean Girls last night.

We thought he was great. I actually thought the show was fun and entertaining. My daughter loved it. There was a woman with her granddaughter next to me and before the show started she was saying she was concerned since there were so many alternates listed. But at intermission we both agreed the acting and singing was excellent. Gavin Lee was in it so he did not have an alternate and he was my daughter's favorite. Anyway just wanted to give a perspective from someone who wasn't even planning on seeing the show!

[ak72090]

SarahNYC2 said: "We saw Curtis yesterday. There were a number of alternates. I had zero expectations about this show. My daughter, age 10, has been to many shows and is serious about musical theater. Her performance camp performed a few songs from the show and suddenly she wanted to see it. So I was able to fit it in between My Fair Lady on Tuesday evening and Mean Girls last night.

We thought he was great. I actually thought the show was fun and entertaining. My daughter loved it. There was a woman with her granddaughter next to me and before the show started she was saying she was concerned since there were so many alternates listed. But at intermission we both agreed the acting and singing was excellent. Gavin Lee was in it so he did not have an alternate and he was my daughter's favorite. Anyway just wanted to give a perspective from someone who wasn't even planning on seeing the show!"

Thanks for this! Yeah the show is wonderful. I know that it’ll be good no matter what, I just get excited to see the primaries so it’s hard not to be disappointed to get the slips. Glad to hear you enjoyed it though! Hoping we do again as well!