BrightSide Youth Theatre project will bring the characters of the popular SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Nickelodeon TV series to the stage this fall when they present THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, on the campus of North Central College, for two weekends. The production will be a condensed versions of the hit musical that began in Chicago before playing on Broadway in 2017 and 2018. BrightSide Education Manager De Haddad will direct the young performers of the Brightside Theatre Youth Project, who will dive under the sea for a wild and whimsical adventure with SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, and the rest of Bikini Bottom. The score includes original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, hey Might Be Giants, and T.I.; and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley.
The production team for THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION, in addition to Haddad as director, includes Meghan Kessel (Musical Director), Thomas McMahon (Choreographer), Jordyne Flanagan (Stage Manager), Patrick Hicks (Costumer), Arabella Zurbano (Scenic Design), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Design), Tim Elliott (Sound Design), and Jeff Sand (Technical Director).
The Saturday, November 1 11:00 am performance will be American Sign Language-interpreted and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their parties can attend this performance for free, thanks to the generosity of the Naperville Lions Club. For access to ASL seating, patrons should enter the promo code ASL when purchasing online, or call the box office at 630.447.8497.
The Saturday, November 1 11:00 am performance will be American Sign Language-interpreted and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their parties can attend this performance for free, thanks to the generosity of the Naperville Lions Club. For access to ASL seating, patrons should enter the promo code ASL when purchasing online, or call the box office at 630.447.8497.
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION will play Saturdays at 11 am & 2 pm, Sundays at 6 pm from October 25 – November 2, 2025 in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets for THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students will be on sale beginning in September at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
LISTING INFORMATION
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Musical Production Conceived by Tina Landau
Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, hey Might Be Giants, and T.I.; and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley; additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton, additional music by Tom Kitt.
Directed by De Haddad
October 25 – November 2, 2025
Saturdays at 11 am & 2 pm, Sundays at 6 pm
The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall
North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth in Naperville
Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students, available soon at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497)
Condensed version of the hit Broadway musical tailored for young performers and audiences. Dive under the sea for a wild and whimsical adventure with SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, and the rest of Bikini Bottom as they band together to save their home from impending disaster. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
BIOS
De Haddad (Director) has been directing in and around the western suburbs for nearly two decades. Graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater from Millikin University, De brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the stage. Notable directing credits include SPAMALOT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, and THE HOBBIT. At BrightSide, De has directed hits like JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT, MEAN GIRLS, JR., SISTER ACT, JR., THE LION KING, JR., and FINDING NEMO, JR. She also serves as BrightSide Theatre's Youth Project Education Manager.
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently PIPPIN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.