The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! DVD review

Nov 10, 2020- Permalink

SpongeBob Squarepants, the beloved cartoon character debuted on TV back in 1999. In 2017, he made the leap to Broadway and this live stage version garnered a dozen Tony nominations. The good citizens of Bikini Bottom are facing an impending disaster as an active volcano threatens to erupt. How will they survive? What will they do? And will the evil Plankton and Karen try to profit off the situation? The stage show was directed by Tina Landau and written by Kyle Jarrow with music and lyrics by several artists. Paramount has now released a filmed version — The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! — on DVD and I had an opportunity to check it out.

The filmed version of the stage production was helmed by Glenn Weiss, who has overseen some of the largest live broadcasts like the Oscars and Grammys. He knows his stuff and captures the energy of the show and its elements of audience participation. Many of the original stage performers reprise their roles, including the energetic Ethan Slater as our titular hero.

The show is presented on a standard definition DVD with a 16:9 widescreen video presentation with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include a sing-along version with onscreen lyrics and a photo gallery. The show sounds great and the bright and colourful imagery should keep even the youngest viewers interested.

Light and frothy, goofy and fun, families should have a good time watching The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!