Starting on Feb. 23, the Drama department at Miami Palmetto Senior High will be hosting their first musical of the year: “The Spongebob Musical.” 

As part of the most vigorous and selective drama class at Palmetto, comprehensive theatre, the students are all a part of the musical in some type of way. Some are in the musical, singing and acting, while others are doing tech backstage. Even students from Ms. Robin Barson’s other drama classes are participating in this year’s musical. Some are decorating the set pieces, while others prepare to be part of the ensemble. Those in Ms. Barson’s Stagecraft class and comp class are designing set pieces for the stage in order to contribute and prepare for the show, helping to make it look like one just walked into Bikini Bottom.

“Spongebob seemed to be a great fit to bringing live theater back because it’s fun, it’s campy and we can make a big beach party and everybody can sit in our beautiful lawn now that we have this really cool opportunity to open up the back of the black box, create an open-air environment that’s both covid safe and engaging and different to anything we’ve ever had before,” Barson said.

The musical showcases Spongebob Squarepants and his fellow companions, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks and more as chaos has wreaked havoc throughout Bikini Bottom. All of Bikini Bottom is at stake, and Spongebob and his friends are on a mission to stop the ongoing chaos. While all this is occurring, many fun and whimsical numbers are performed throughout the chaos happening in Bikini Bottom.

Many students who are a part of the musical’s production have been working on it since last year. These students have dedicated a grand amount of time and effort in order to making this musical the best it can possibly be. Especially since for a few this is their last musical at Palmetto. 

It’s a lot of fun to be a part of, but it is bittersweet knowing that this is my last show,” Palmetto Senior and Spongebob in “The Spongebob Musical” Rachel Greidinger said. 

Barson has put in a ton of hard work this past school year to make it possible for these students to be able to have a musical as well as for many people in the audience to enjoy it. 

“She’s doing [the musical] for the sole reason that she really wants us to have a show and there are no amount of words that can express how grateful I am for this opportunity,” Palmetto junior and one of the electric skates in “The Spongebob Musical” Elle Karakadze said. 

Barson has also had a few helping hands throughout the process. Ryan Barca, Justin Delacuetara and Lexi Roldan are some of Barson’s past students that currently work in the professional field of musical theater, and they have decided to devote their time to assisting Barson in preparation for the musical. 

In preparation for the musical, students have been staying after school every weekday. They sometimes have night rehearsals, to see how the show will look during the nighttime. 

During these rehearsals, students go over their lines, songs and dances to make sure everything goes according to plan. They have even done rehearsals with full hair and makeup. They also go over tech cues that they may need to do so that they can perfect their tasks by opening night. 

The musical will take place outside in the black box theater, and tickets are being sold online through gofan.co. The musical will be held at 7 p.m. on February 23 and 24, as well as March 2 and 3.

“It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s lighthearted, it’s jokeable,” Karakadze said. “You’re never sitting there bored, so everyone should come and watch it.”