A Splash Hit: SpongeBob the Musical Shines on the Horowitz Stage

Leading the show was Casey Rhodes ’27 as SpongeBob SquarePants, delivering an enthusiastic and lovable performance full of optimism and charm. Casey captured SpongeBob’s signature positivity while also showing emotional depth during the musical’s more serious moments. Alongside Casey, Evie Meyer ’28 gave a hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of Patrick Star, SpongeBob’s faithful starfish sidekick,earning laughs throughout the performance with excellent comedic timing.

One of the standout performances of the night came from Scarlett Bower ’28 as Squidward Q. Tentacles. Scarlett’s sharp wit and expressive acting made Squidward both funny and relatable, especially during the hilarious and infamous number “I’m Not a Loser.” Supporting the number were talented dancers Ysabelle Houde ’28 and Ines Allue Garnica ’27, whose energy and choreography added excitement and flair to the performance.

The production was tied together beautifully by Gabby Clavel ’27 as the Narrator, guiding the audience through the chaos and adventure of Bikini Bottom with confidence and clarity. Maddalena Dimayuga ’28 impressed audiences as Sandy Cheeks, bringing confidence, intelligence, southern charm and strong vocals to the role. Maddalena was also the musical's choreographer, which is beyond impressive while also being an active cast member. Asper Donath ’26 and Belle Louissant ’28 formed a fantastic comedic duo as Sheldon J. Plankton and Karen Plankton. Their scenes were among the funniest in the show.

As Pearl Krabs, Sandrine Lau ’28 brought plenty of personality and stage presence, while YeHoon Allen ’28 gave an authoritative and memorable performance as the Mayor of Bikini Bottom.  The Vermont Academy faculty were also heavily involved, as Humanities teacher Zach Smith entertained as the money-loving Mr. Krabs. The sardines also played an important role in the production’s humor and energy, with standout appearances by more Vermont Academy faculty, Amanda Hodgson-Gilbert P’21, ’25 (Sardine #1), Christine Gilbert (Sardine #2), Marty Hennum P’20, ’22 (Sardine #3), and Lynn Campbell ’27, who also served as part of the run crew.

The production was tied together beautifully by Gabby Clavel ’27 as the Narrator, guiding the audience through the chaos and adventure of Bikini Bottom with confidence and clarity.

Behind the scenes, the technical crew ensured the production ran smoothly. Marley Odell ’26 expertly handled the sound board, balancing music and dialogue throughout the show, while Jacob Studin ’28 created vibrant lighting effects that transformed the stage into an underwater world. Assistant Stage Managers Keira Chin Gerding ’28 and Lynn Campbell ’27 kept everything organized backstage and helped the production move seamlessly from scene to scene.

The musical would have not been the same without the immersive set, with the carpentry being completed by the one and only Director of Performing Arts Steve Cady, and painted by Asper Donath ’26, Aubrey Testa ’29, Keira Chin Gerding ’28, Sloane Trachtenberg ’29, Raven Annson ’29 and Deb Zilske. Director Marty Hennum P ’20, ’22 and Musical Director Deanna Zilske worked together to bring SpongeBob, the Musical to life, guiding the cast with creativity, energy, and dedication while helping every performance shine both on stage and vocally.

From impressive costumes to energetic musical numbers, SpongeBob, the Musical proved to be a joyful celebration of teamwork, creativity, and school spirit. The cast and crew should be incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication in creating such an entertaining and memorable production. Special thanks to AMT Productions, Laura Carbonneau, MoCo Arts, Paul Teitelman, Vaughan Hennum P ’20, ’22 and the Vermont Academy Community for their support in the last performance of the 2026 year.

Photos from the performance can be found here.