Santa Monica College to Stage The SpongeBob Musical: Theatre for Young Audiences Edition July 17-26
Santa Monica College’s Theatre Arts Department will present a youth‑focused version of the popular Broadway musical, running from July 17 to 26 at the campus’s Main Stage on 1900 Pico Blvd. The production, titled The SpongeBob Musical: Theatre for Young Audiences Edition, follows the familiar underwater friends as they confront a crisis in Bikini Bottom.
The show is scheduled for evening performances on Friday, July 17 and 24, and Saturday, July 18 and 25, all at 7 p.m. Matinee shows will take place on Sunday, July 19 and 26, beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets cost between $25 and $28 for the general public, with a discounted rate of $18 for Santa Monica College students and staff. A service charge applies to all purchases. Tickets can be bought online at smc.edu/tickets or by calling 310‑434‑4165.
The adaptation retains the core storyline of the original Broadway production, which was written by Kyle Jarrow and features songs by a range of artists, including David Bowie, Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper. The college version is directed by Perviz Sawoski, who also serves as chair of the Theatre Arts Department, while John Sawoski handles music direction. The book remains faithful to the series created by Stephen Hillenburg, the original creator of the SpongeBob SquarePants television show.
The original musical premiered in Chicago in 2016 and opened on Broadway in December 2017. It was produced by Nickelodeon, The Araca Group, Sony Music Masterworks and Kelp on the Road. The show received twelve Tony Award nominations and ran for 327 regular performances before closing in September 2018. A non‑Equity North American tour followed, and a UK tour ran from April to September 2023.
Santa Monica College, a public community college founded in 1929, enrolls more than 30,000 students across 90 fields of study. Its Theatre Arts Department offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes acting, voice, movement, theatrical styles, theatre history, production and technical theatre. The department’s productions are designed to prepare students for transfer to four‑year universities and for careers in the performing arts.
The SpongeBob musical is part of a growing trend of college‑level adaptations of popular stage works aimed at younger audiences. By tailoring the material for youth, the production provides an accessible entry point for students and community members who may be new to musical theatre.
The venue, the Main Stage, is a modern facility on the college’s main campus. It has hosted a variety of performances, from student productions to visiting touring companies. The 1900 Pico Blvd address places the theatre in the heart of Santa Monica, making it convenient for local residents and visitors.
Ticket sales for the show are expected to be strong, given the enduring popularity of the SpongeBob franchise and the college’s reputation for high‑quality productions. The discounted pricing for students and staff is intended to encourage participation from the campus community.
The production will conclude on Sunday, July 26, after a total of eight performances. The Theatre Arts Department will release a post‑show report detailing attendance figures and audience feedback.
For those interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online or by phone. The college encourages early purchase to secure seats, as the show is scheduled to run during the peak summer season.
The SpongeBob Musical: Theatre for Young Audiences Edition represents a collaboration between the college’s faculty, students and the broader community. It showcases the department’s commitment to providing engaging, professionally produced theatre experiences while supporting student development in the performing arts.
The show’s run will conclude on July 26, after which the department will evaluate the production’s impact on student learning and community engagement. No further dates or tours have been announced at this time.
