RHS performing arts students preparing for first production in three years
RIDGWAY- The Ridgway Area High School performing arts students are gearing up to put their talents on display to perform “The Spongebob Musical” under the direction of Jason Phipps.
This musical features the favorite songs of the classic cartoon while following Spongebob, Patrick, and their crew as they race to save Bikini Bottom from the looming eruption of Mount Humongous. Students from the Johnsonburg Area High School were also set to perform in this show.
This is the first time these students will have the opportunity to step on the stage since the pandemic brought the program to a halt three years ago. The group was just one week shy of their massive production, “Spam-A-Lot.”
Stevie Gustafson, member of the RASD performing arts booster club, reflected on the uncontrollable circumstances that led to the canceling of the show.
“The kids and the club were so disheartened from losing that show,” Gustafson said. “The kids were prepped for the biggest production of their lives.”
Since then, RASD’s performing arts club has worked to build itself back up, and has had great success with a couple of middle school shows directed by Mike Ames as well as a number of elementary productions under the guidance of Phipps.
With about five weeks to prepare, work began across the board with painting sets and building props, and hallways are stacked with carts and moveable sets waiting to be rolled out.
Costumes were made by Dorothy DeCarli, and the stage is buzzing with activity with sounds and catchy tunes made by the cast.
Junior Theo Coder, who will be playing the role of Spongebob, could not contain his excitement for the curtain call that’s on the horizon.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this,” Coder said. “It’s an honor to be acting in this role.”
There will be a total of four showings next Thursday through Sunday. The production will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, followed by a final matinee performance on Sunday at 3 p.m.