'The SpongeBob Musical' splashes onto the stage at North Allegheny Senior High School

A yellow sea sponge and a pink starfish will lead an aquatic crew in song and dance in this year’s North Allegheny High School spring musical, “The SpongeBob Musical,” March 1-5.

SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick Star, along with their oceanic friends, are the center of a musical based on the popular children’s animated television show on Nickelodeon, “SpongeBob Squarepants.”

Everything about the show — characters, songs, dancing and dialogue — let the actors go over the top in a break from the usual theater fare, said NA senior Kiran Szymkowiak, who plays SpongeBob.

”SpongeBob really allows me to let loose and be all out there,” said Szymkowiak, 18, of Franklin Park.

Fellow senior Brendan White, 17, who plays Patrick Star, agreed.

“You have to lean into everything 110 percent,” said White, of Franklin Park.

While younger audience members may recognize some of the popular songs from the show, the actors said there’s a surprising element of depth to the story for older audience members.

Szymkowiak said the show finds humanity in something not considered human. And there’s a positive theme to the show, said both actors.

The song “The Best Day Ever” contains an uplifting, hopeful message despite SpongeBob being in the middle of a grim situation, Szymkowiak said.

White’s favorite song is “(Just a) simple sponge.” And SpongeBob fans may recognize “Hero is my middle name.”

The songs were composed by well-known musicians, including John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith and others, according to White.

Both leads had to practice imitating the recognizable voices of SpongeBob and Patrick by watching episodes over and over.

“I was a challenge at first,” said Szymkowiak, who said SpongeBob has a high voice. “I went back and watched a bunch of episodes. I think I got it down.”

It’s the first year the North Allegheny theater department will stage this production, and producer and NA music department chair Bob Tozier said it’s been a blast staging a more modern production. There are 65 students in the cast, 43 in the orchestra pit, and approximately 25 in the stage crew, Tozier said. All range from freshmen to seniors.

“It definitely is fun being away from a traditional, classic show,” Tozier said.

Tozier agreed that there’s an important message for both kids and adults. It’s a story of “teamwork and coming together to solve a common problem,” Tozier said.

The high-energy dancing and acting is complimented by a set Tozier describes as “an explosion of colors.”

This is Szymkowiak’s seventh show and White’s eighth.

Szymkowiak is applying for theater schools, and White is planning to major in math.

Tozier said he’s watched the two students since they were in the middle school musicals, which he also produced, and they’ve grow up on stage.

They happily end their high school theater career with this show, with White calling it a “dream role.”

“I’ve been talking about this show for the past year and a half,” White said.

“We had so much fun,” Szymkowiak said.

“We’re just excited to be presenting such a good message. There’s so much joy to share in the show,” White said.

The shows take place in the North Allegheny Senior High School auditorium. The March 1-4 shows begin at 7 p.m., and the March 5 show at 2 p.m.

Tickets cost $14 and can be bought online through www.northallegheny.org.