Jan. 25--Broadway in Chicago has announced casting for the Chicago production of "The SpongeBob Musical," the Broadway-bound event featuring original music by the late David Bowie, Aerosmith, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper and a string of other A-list musicians.
Starring as SpongeBob Squarepants is Ethan Slater, a recent Vassar graduate. Joining Slater as SpongeBob's squirrely friend Sandy Cheeks is Lilli Cooper, known from the original Broadway cast of "Spring Awakening."
The Bikini Bottom ensemble also includes Gaelen Gilliland, Curtis Holbrook, Stephanie Hsu, L'ogan J'ones, Emmy Raver Lampman, Mark Ledbetter, Kelvin Moon Loh, Vasthy Mompoint, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith and Jason Michael Snow. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
As previously announced, the Tina Landau helmed production will feature choreography by Christopher Gattelli, book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt.
"The SpongeBob Musical" will begin performances June 7 and run through July 3 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.
