The SpongeBob Musical for Young Audiences at Coterie
The SpongeBob Musical for Young Audiences World Premiere: professional theatre for young audiences version! Showing at Coterie Nov. 5, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022
This weekend, my youngest daughter and one of her BFFs (a SpongeBob aficionado) were delighted to attend The SpongeBob Musical at Coterie. We were grateful to be "back at home" at one of our favorite local live performance venues.
I have a confession... I have been a mother for sixteen years now, and until this week, I had never seen a single episode of SpongeBob. I was aware of his vibrant yellow presence throughout toy aisles, party stores, and on television - but the idea of an animated sponge with square pants living in a pineapple hadn't piqued my particular interests. This week, I was introduced to the beloved character previewing a few episodes online before attending the World Premiere of Coterie's latest show. My daughter and I invited one of her best friends to join us who just happens to be a BIG SpongeBob fan, having watched nearly every episode (she says). She helped fill us in on the SpongeBob scoop and said that the show was "so much fun!"
Coterie has long-established itself for truly outstanding casting, costuming, and sets and this show lived up to our expectations. The cast had all of us (including SpongeBob rookies) laughing out loud at their zany antics and charming personalities. The music was catchy and enjoyable and all of the performers were fabulous. I appreciated the heart-warming message of true friendship, the reminder that we all contribute to problem-solving, and the creativity encouraged by the characters.
I was surprised that the plot covered many themes that resonate with society today... messages of fear from outside influences, miscasting blame, and how we treat perceived outsiders. The story reminded young audiences of the values of friendship, inclusion, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The imaginative set took children to the undersea town of Bikini Bottom, where SpongeBob, the outgoing, kind, and optimistic bright yellow sponge and his pals, including Patrick, Squidward, Sandy (my personal favorite), and Mr. Krabs enjoy life in their pleasant community. Before long, their peaceful life is disrupted when a news bulletin reports that Mt. Humongous will erupt within the next 48 hours and obliterate Bikini Bottom. The characters must decide what to do: panic, run away, fall for the schemes of an evil villain and his sidekick, or put their heads together and come up with a creative scientific solution.
The BFF Song performed by Patrick and SpongeBob was my personal favorite as the characters shared the true meaning of friendship.
Through SpongeBob's persistence, courage, and optimism and help from his loyal friends, our yellow hero saves the day!
This fun-filled show is a hilarious and musical romp at Bikini Bottom that all ages enjoy! Treat your family to this great show this holiday season! Buy tickets today!
The Coterie premieres The SpongeBob Musical for Young Audiences
The Scoop on Coterie's Indoor Performances - 2021/2022 Season
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
- Masks are REQUIRED for indoor performances for all audience and staff regardless of age. The exception will be our performers, all vaccinated, who will not be masked while on stage.
- All seating will be in chairs (no floor seating). Capacity will be reduced, to allow some distancing between parties. Patrons will seat themselves and are asked to remain in their seats from arrival until the end of the show. Patrons should be aware that it is still possible that there will be people sitting in front, next to, and behind them. To minimize exposure and reduce congregating in confined spaces, doors to the theater will open only 30 minutes before show time. Patrons arriving earlier are asked not to congregate in The Coterie lobby.
- Programs will be digital and available via a QR code posted throughout the theater to reduce the potential for germ spread.
- Per guidelines from Actors Equity, our actors and production teams and staff are all vaccinated. Anyone performing on our stage will be tested for Covid-19 three times per week, as overseen by our Covid Safety Manager.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available for patron use throughout the lobby and entrance areas.
- The Coterie's HVAC system has been optimized by a Crown Center engineer. Airflow inside the theater cycles through eight (8) complete air changes per hour (ACH experts suggest at least 3-6). And even on the coldest days of the year, there will always at least 20% fresh, outside air coming into the theatre as recommended by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). The system has an economizer that increases that fresh air up to 100% depending on the air temp and humidity outside.
- HEPA units will be placed strategically to reduce aerosol spread.
- Performances are scheduled more than an hour apart so the theatre can achieve a full air reset from any airborne contaminants between shows.
- All public spaces will be thoroughly cleaned nightly and between each performance, and staff will be sanitizing door handles, light switches, and other high touch surfaces frequently with CDC & EPA recommended disinfectants.
- We have pivoted to mobile ticketing for all subscriber and individual tickets. Tickets will be delivered via confirmation email as soon as your order is processed. Patrons may print their E-Tickets and bring them to the theater, or we can scan the ticket off any mobile device. Patrons who do not have access to a mobile device or a printer may request printed tickets when arriving at the theater.
WHAT WE ASK OUR PATRONS TO DO:
- First and foremost, if you or anyone in your party does not feel well on show day, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or are displaying potential COVID symptoms, please do the responsible thing and STAY HOME.
- We highly recommend all eligible audience members be vaccinated for any indoor performance.
- Face masks, properly worn (completely covering nose and mouth), are REQUIRED during the entirety of your visit to the Coterie. This includes children and adults, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Our staff will provide disposable masks to anyone who arrives without a mask at the door. NO ONE without a mask will be permitted inside the theater. At this time, we do not recommend children under 2 at the theater due to our strict mask requirements.
- Purchase with Confidence: If you must miss your scheduled performance for health reasons, or if any performances need to be cancelled for any reason, ticketholders will be rescheduled at no charge, have their money held on account to be used at their convenience, or refunded.
- Please check back regularly for updates. As situations dictate and vaccines become available for children under 12, watch for any updates to our protocols and policies.
J Robert Schraeder