"When you have a disability, you live with a lot of labels. Labels that other people put on you. In some cases, you have labels slapped on you before you're even born. Most of those labels aren't particularly helpful. So we're ripping off those labels:
Unlabeled Theatre Company." I was pleased to be able to experience my first Unlabeled production this weekend. They have a unique performance model in which they pair an actor with a disability or who is neurodivergent with a neurotypical actor. So two people are portraying each character, saying (or singing) the lines in unison with mirror, or shadow, movements. Their third production in about a year is
The SpongeBob Musical, which I'd never seen before, nor have I ever seen the popular cartoon upon which it's based. Unlabeled is doing an abbreviated 75-minute one-act version of the show (that features songs by David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, and more), and I found it to be a really sweet, inspiring, and relevant show about community, friendship, and joining together in times of crisis. The performers are all so genuine and pure in their performances, beautifully supported by their shadow partners, and it's really wonderful to see a truly inclusive cast. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in theater, and experience the benefits that can provide in one's life.
The SpongeBob Musical is playing for two weekends on Park Square Theatre's Andy Boss thrust stage,
click here for info and tickets.
With wildfires destroying entire communities in the L.A. area, the storyline about the residents of Bikini Bottom fearing the destruction of their community with the impending volcano eruption is eerily relevant. As is the greed of certain business owners who care more about money than the safety of the people, and the disregard for science in preventing natural disasters. But mostly this is a fun show with quirky characters bonding together to save the town!
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SpongeBob (Christopher Mohn/Ruby Crandell)
with Sandy Squirrel (Callie Johnson/Natalie Mosakowski)
(photo courtesy of Unlabeled Theatre) |
The lead performers are wearing bright colorful costumes that hint at the underwater creature they're portraying, with their shadow partners (some parents, some theater students, some professional actors like Shanan Custer) dressed in all-black versions of the costumes. Christopher Mohn (with shadow partner Ruby Crandell) is confident and likable as the title character, Zach Williams (with shadow partner Max Froehlich) is adorable as his sweet but not-so-smart BFF Patrick, and Liam Donovan (with shadow partner Joey Deegan) is very endearing as the Eeyore-like Squidward who learns "I'm Not a Loser." It takes a minute to get used to the dual performance style (two people talking in unison) but soon feels natural, and you're able to take in both performances, as they come together to create a fuller picture of the character.
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| cake! (the cast of SpongeBob, photo courtesy of Unlabeled Theatre) |
Directors Jessica Froehlich and Lisa Hanson make good use of the thrust space, with exits and entrances from all sides. The staging and choreography really allow each performer to shine in their own unique way. The simple set includes several black boxes of varying sizes moved around to create different shapes, with charmingly DIY props and puppets. The cast sings along to a recorded track, with vocal director Natalie McComas sitting at a keyboard and sometimes playing along.
I'm so glad I was finally able to check out a production by
Unlabeled Theatre Company (taking advantage of the post-holiday lull in #TCTheater). It's an important and necessary mission, involving adults with disabilities in the arts, working on- and off-stage on performances, and in the classroom.
The SpongeBob Musical seems like a perfect match for them, with its sweet message about community, friendship, and inclusion. And it was a great introduction for me into the world of
SpongeBob.
