By JAMES DILLON
Masquers publicity intern
NORTH READING — Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? ARRRRRE you ready kids? Masquers is bringing Bikini Bottom to North Reading this December with its production of “The SpongeBob Musical.”
SpongeBob Squarepants is back to his usual antics, hanging out with his best friend Patrick, and working at his favorite eating establishment, The Krusty Krab. All is normal and happy, until Mount Humongous threatens their very liveliness. This wild, energetic show is perfect for the whole family, and it reminds us of the important life lessons of friendliness, perseverance, and equality.
Masquers is in its 55th year of performing, and is staying true to its beliefs of “go big or go home.” This energetic, joyful, positive, likable, friendly show brings to the stage everything Masquers tries to embody: humble and kind, lead by example, take the path that is less traveled, never say no, and it’s okay to be yourself.
This 2018 Tony award-winning musical is based on one of the number-one kids’ animated television series in the past two decades. The beloved characters created timeless cultural catchphrases and memes that have reached global proportions.
The original series “SpongeBob SquarePants” was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The way this character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends is a perfect way to celebrate Masquers shows both past and future, and will keep you smiling with each show-stopping number.
The music features an original pop and rock-infused score by a legendary roster of Grammy Award-winning songwriters such as Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., and a song by David Bowie.
Tickets for The SpongeBob Musical are on sale now and can be purchased on the Masquers website at www.masquers.weebly.com, or by visiting ticketstage.com/T/NRPA. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens. All seats are assigned for shows in the Performing Arts Center at NRHS. Performances are the first two weekends in December with evening performances on Friday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and matinee performances on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. For questions, contact nrperformingarts@gmail.com or call the Box Office at 978-664-7800 x5430.
This is the perfect show to bring the entire family to celebrate friendship, cooperation and the power of unity and inclusion. But beware, it may not be suitable for crusty old barnacles and crabby fish who hate to laugh and have fun. To quote Sandy Cheeks: “Home is where you are surrounded by other critters that take care of you.” We can’t wait to welcome you into our home and show you why “Hero is our Middle Name.”