SpongeBob SquarePants (Broadway)

See it if you're looking for fun-for-the-whole-family. SSP is aimed at kids. Its cleverness will hold adults, but it is grating. Song quality varies!

Don't see it if you want sophisticated fare. SSP is broad, loud, in-your-face, over-the-top. Sometimes charming. Some good performances. Some great effects.

Also This show should only be seen by its target audience...meaning fans of the TV show (I'm not one). While I could appreciate all the dazzling effects, the show was far too manic and garish for me to enjoy.... Read more Read less

See it if a fun show , good story behind it. Very good directing and staging. Not just for kids but for everyone of all ages.

Don't see it if it can be silly, not for the serious theater goer. If you are not into shows like school of rock, or any show that has kids themes too it.

See it if Happy cartoonish fun. Pleasing song and dance. Charismatic actors. Immersive set. Helps to go with a kid who knows the references.

Don't see it if You are looking for something more serious, or have no exposure to the TV show.

See it if Knowing exactly who it is & what it wants to say, SpongeBob is quite charming Fabulous! set & engaging ensemble go a long way to win us over

Don't see it if Too long for it's own good With too many songs extending a flimsy book it skirts dangerously close to eye-glazing But kills it in the finale

See it if you're a fan of SpongeBob, family shows ok for kids, colorful costumes, zany sets, music by many popular composers, sight gags, clever dance

Don't see it if don't like SpongeBob or shows based on kiddie shows, farcical jokes & overwrought characters, scores created by many writers,

See it if full Broadway treatment - wonderful sets, costumes, dance, orchestra, super-kinetic performance by Ethan Slater as Bob

Don't see it if though like TV show humorous & whimsical, ultimately succumbs to standard Bdway shtick: silly plot, rock concert finale; meh music

See it if you like noisy colorful performances with screaming, crying children wandering the aisles.

Don't see it if you expect characters looking like the cartoon, you require plot complexity, you don't expect cheap off-off B'way techniques on B'way.

See it if it help to know Sponge Bob a little. Have a break from life and its funny. you like musical.

Don't see it if hate musical, bright colorful, and if you hate Sponge Bob.

Also This was funny and love the bright colorful clothes and stage. The stage of setup great. Love that free from thinking just plain fun. The Singing was great and enjoyable music numbers.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy being blasted out of your seat by amped music so loud your ears are assaulted !

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy musicals in which the set and costumes and special effects are more entertaining than the actors !

See it if Busy and joyful pollination of "Starmites," "Bed Bugs," and "The Little Mermaid." Clever sets and costumes. High energy.

Don't see it if Created for adult pocketbooks, but kids will dig the silly. Highfalutin this isn't.

See it if Like a preposterously creative venture that's just goofy, silly fun.You start smiling when you enter & will wear grin long past standing O.

Don't see it if Don't want a show that's based on a cartoon. This is for the kid in U. Perhaps read about characters before you go, but it's not mandatory.

Also What I knew about SpongeBob beforehand would have fit on a stamp. Had no idea the bkgrnd of the characters and it didn't matter. Reading about the SpongeBob TV show afterwards on Wikipedia allowed me to appreciate the skills of everyone involved in the production even more. You may get more of the "jokes" if you're already familiar with it. But, as others have also said - NOT necessary to still be delighted on this merry ride.

Saw this at the Nederlander Theater early February, 2108.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a fun evening out. The story is banal, but the production is quirky and fun, go for the entertainment.

Don't see it if You want a strong and interesting story, it's designed for kids, so bring them, but don't expect a lot of depth

See it if you loved the tv series, are under 15, are taking your grandkids.Costumes are amazing.Performances are good.Music by committee didn't work

Don't see it if you are looking for a show that has something to say, has more than a 1 joke script, has interesting score.It is a mindless kids' show.

See it if You like a mix of sig spectacle and intimate songs. You like clever staging and wondrous costumes and intricate timing.

Don't see it if You want profound. You dont like spectacle. You want a strong or unique story.

Also There was a constant shift from Spectacle (which I could live without) to smaller really quite lovely moments. Every time I started to feel bored,I got spun on my head and a lovely moment ensued. Four times I found myself truly happy to be there. That may not sound like a lot, but I am a hard sell for this sort of thing.
The audience was diverse in age; truly 8-80, multicultural and multiracial. Most cheered off and on throughout and there was a joyous celebration at the curtain.
There is much to enjoy in this show. I do not expect it to find an audience so if you have any interest, go soon.
I know nothing of SPongebob Squarepants and this certainly didn't make me want to know more, but I am VERY glad i went.... Read more Read less

See it if // This is the most fun I've had at a Broadway show in a long time. Sure, it's not intellectual, but it's a great time. Perfect for all ages

Don't see it if you're not familiar with the show or if you'd rather see something more serious.

See it if you think SBSP is worth turning into a live action musical. It's as well designed as a grating cartoon w/ the humor geared to kids can be.

Don't see it if you weren’t remotely interested but had second thoughts after Gavin Lee’s spectacular tap number @ Tonys. That's the best of this show.

Also The only other number that might sort of come close is T.I.’s plankton rap. I expected more hits from this Avengers assembly of songwriters (ranging from David Bowie to John Legend). Some phoning it in but others like Plain White T’s and Lady Antebellum contribute cover-worthy songs.

SBSP is admittedly a little after my time. Neither the tech/prod design (hydraulics, wires) nor music (sometimes better than ok) make up for the stupidity (nonstop) of the show. Clever costumes, sound effects, and the actors’ showmanship successfully recreate the mannerisms of the 2D characters. But the musical as a whole is a let down in the same way The Simpsons Movie was a let down; besides reiterating the quirks of all the fan favorite characters in one sitting, it’s not much more of an occasion than the small screen version.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be immersed in a delightful alternative world; are/ was a fan of the show; have children with you

Don't see it if You want serious drama

Also I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this having never seen the show before but it was just so joyful... Read more Read less

See it if you just want to have fun, feast your eyes on a colorful set and be entertained by a talented cast.

Don't see it if You prefer meaty characters and complex plots.

See it if you're willing to indulge your inner child or are accompanied by a child. More enjoyable than I expected due to the inventive staging.

Don't see it if you're looking for something substantial tho there are positive messages sprinkled throughout.

See it if you are a SpongeBob fan and/or need to escape from the land-based world, love bright colors & unusual characters including a happy main one

Don't see it if you need a deep plot because this story is definitely in line with simplistic cartoon plots that have happy endings

Also I knew of SpongeBob years ago but didn't know the characters. I had a five minute refresher course but that really doesn't matter. Yes, you will be confused when younger people in the audience clap when certain characters appear but you can still enjoy the experience. This was fun.
I only saw this because of an article that described the costumes and props as out of a party store & craft shop. So true. But ended up enjoying the performances & music. Very, very clever production.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be dazzled by the costumes & the sets. Inventive. Always something to look at. Some of the dancing (tap) is terrific.

Don't see it if you want a good story. This is disappointing ...bad guy vs good guy who wants to save town (has fat friend). Been there, done that.

Also Gavin Lee is outstanding.

See it if you can enjoy this for what it is: a cartoony world of Nickelodeon fare brought to life in gaudy glows and tacky trails of confetti; a kid.

Don't see it if seeking high art; innovative story-telling, lyrics, or plot; do not have a childish or openminded bone in your body; cannot stand tackiness.

Also My score considers the roots of SpongeBob SquarePants: a children’s cartoon on a television network catering to kids. So, I rated accordingly. I was never the kid who liked gaudy, gauzy, glittery worlds (give me dark and gritty), but I put myself in the mind of an average child. SS has enough adult bite here and there (tiny jabs and inside jokes for parents), but it’s mostly a fun-filled world with some undeveloped moments of flotsam. Music is catchy but lyrics are painfully predictable. Ethan Slater is phenomenal as SpongeBob: I actually spent most of the show imagining him in musicals worth his talent. Thankfully, he’s not in a sponge suit. Indeed, all castmates are in “human-like” accoutrements, with an occasional exaggeration (an extra set of legs, crab claws, etc). In some ways, the lack of consistency (human, animal, alien hybrid?) is jarring: children will likely forgive this. Is SS low-brow and insipid? Yes. Is it worth seeing if you win the ticket lottery, as I did? Go for it!... Read more Read less

See it if You want a secretly subversive, downtown, queer big budget musical that is DELIGHTFUL.

Don't see it if You're annoyed by children. You want something serious or cohesive, it's intentionally multi-tone.

See it if You grew up watching spongebob on nick, you will love this show!

Don't see it if you want to watch like a kid show on broadway.

See it if Want to be truly entertained - great music, singing, staging, direction, sets, costumes. So much fun.

Don't see it if Looking for something serious - this is pure entertainment people!