News

Middle School students wowed sold-out audiences in Newton Country Day’s Sweeney-Husson Theatre with their high-spirited production of The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition. Based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg, the show tells the story of friends coming together to save their undersea world and how the power of optimism can make a difference.

This year, as Newton Country Day focused intentionally on Goal IV: the building of community as a Christian value, the themes of The SpongeBob Musical feel especially meaningful. At its heart, the story is about a community facing uncertainty and choosing unity over division. The citizens of Bikini Bottom learn to listen to one another, recognize each other’s gifts, and work together for the common good. 

Director Dr. Corey Everly reflected, “This cast has modeled true community throughout the rehearsal process. They have listened deeply, taken risks, lifted one another up, and learned that courage often looks like kindness, creativity, and trying again when things get hard.” 

The Middle School cast and crew were supported by several Upper School students, who contributed their talents behind the scenes in roles ranging from stage management and assistant directing to costume and rehearsal assistants. Their leadership and collaboration helped bring the show to life. 

Congratulations to the cast, crew, and all who made this production possible.

CAST
SpongeBob Squarepants: Milena Rufo ‘30
Patrick Star: Eloise Ewing ‘30
Squidward: Zara Grimshaw ‘31
Sandy Cheeks: Phelan Curry ‘30
French Narrator: Nolah Trivedi ‘32
Mr. Krabs: Mia Na ‘30
Sheldon J. Plankton: Marian Emans ‘31
Karen Plankton: Celia Pagliano ‘31
Pearl: Jodie Chung ‘30
Perch Perkins/Sea Anemone: Priscilla Yuan ‘32
Mayor of Bikini Bottom: Frances Bride ‘30
Larry the Lobster/Sea Anemone: Isla Powers ‘33
Old Man Jenkins: Gemma Lucibello ‘32
Fish in Krabby Patty Costume: Teagan Emmert ‘31
Mrs. Puff: Macie Palm ‘30
Cowboy Fish: Giada Cownie ‘31, Lily Field ‘32, Macie Palm ‘30
Townfish: Ellison Davis ‘32, Bridie DeLeo ‘32, Lulu Meng ‘30
Sardine Devotees: Porter Baisley ‘32, Emma Doyle ‘31, Lily Kieffer ‘31, Lily Reece ‘31, Cece Shapiro ‘30
Sea Anemones: Lily Field ‘32, Isla Powers ‘33, Priscilla Yuan ‘32
Electric Skates: Mary Milone ‘32, Sawyer Straub ‘32, Kennedy Trainor ‘32
Girl Fish: Lulu Meng ‘30, Estella Papageorgiou ‘33, Cece Shapiro ‘30

PRODUCTION/CREATIVE
Director/Music Director: Dr. Corey Everly
Choreography Director: Mrs. Leigh Lucey
Technical Director: Mr. David Farreh
Producer: Mrs. Melissa Davenport P ‘29
Lead Costume Designer: Ms. Jez Insalaco
Assistant Costume Designer: Ms. Samantha Wolfrum
Stage Manager: Caroline Condon ‘27
Assistant Stage Manager: Gracie Goodman ‘27, Isobel Lucibello ‘26
Stage Crew: Heidi Alves ‘32, Keira Huang ‘30, Elsa Machen ‘32, Gwen Morrissey ‘31, Victoria Ospino ‘31, Alex Smith-Gough ‘31, Emma Wai ‘31
Run Crew: Heidi Alves ‘32, Nora Augst ‘28, Zoey Bekarian ‘29, Lucy Davenport ‘29, Angelina Feiteira ‘26, Caitlin Figlioli ‘29, Diya Giridhar ‘28, Keira Huang ‘30, Anne Charlotte Keefe ‘29, Elizabeth Keefe ‘27, Kylie Mitchell ‘27, Victoria Ospino ‘31, Alex Smith-Gough ‘31, Evelin Teamey ‘29, Emma Wai ‘31
Assistant Director: Elizabeth Keefe ‘27
Rehearsal Assistants: Nora Augst ‘28, Lucy Davenport ‘29, Diya Giridhar ‘28, Evelin Teamey ‘29
Costume Assistants: Caroline Hoenscheid ‘28, Tildie Lucibello ‘29

ORCHESTRA
Keyboard 1/Conductor: Dr. Corey Everly 
Keyboard 2: Ms. Asia Meirovich 
Flute: Rebecca Chen ‘28
Alto Sax: Mr. Brandon Hagan
Tenor Sax: Tessa Venanzi ‘26
Fretted Strings: Mr. Robert Draper
Drums: Mr. Casey Voss 
Bass Guitar: Jordan Rich ‘28

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The cast, crew, and creative team of The SpongeBob Musical wish to warmly thank the following people for their support of this production: 

Mrs. Jessica Hooper P ‘28
Ms. Melissa Bleakney-Dalton
Ms. Nicole Noel 
Dr. Deborah Tully 
Ms. Tina Lim P ‘30
Ms. Abby Woodworth 
Mr. Casey Young 
The NCDS Facilities Team 
Flik Dining Services 
The Families of the Cast and Crew

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, They Might Be Giants, T.I.
Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton
Additional music by Tom Kitt