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Exclusive Photos! Go Backstage and Behind the Scenes of Bikini Bottom at Broadway's SpongeBob SquarePants Musical

Last updated February 27th, 2018 by Jenny Anderson & Josh Ferri
Exclusive Photos! Go Backstage and Behind the Scenes of Bik…

Photo by Jenny Anderson

Photographer Jenny Anderson (who shot our fabulous Classic New York Films and Tony Awards Parties photos) brings BroadwayBox backstage for an exclusive new series capturing Broadway companies getting ready to take the stage. For the next chapter, BBox goes under the sea and to the historic Palace Theatre to watch as the company of the inventive new hit SpongeBob SquarePants

transforms into their beloved cartoon counterparts.
Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Ethan Slater
Photo by Jenny Anderson

The musical's unstoppable, breakout star Ethan Slater arrives to the theatre early and begins his extensive, 90-minute pre-show warmup to play SpongeBob.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Ethan Slater- Handstand
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Same.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Ethan Slater- Stretch

If you've had the pleasure of seeing Ethan's truly athletic performance as the not-so-simple sponge, you get how important a good stretch is.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Ethan Slater-EOY
Photo by Jenny Anderson

BRB, making this my new cover photo.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Wesley Taylor
Photo by Jenny Anderson

As we leave Ethan's dressing room, we run into the musical's "big" villain, Wesley Taylor.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Krabby Patty
Photo by Jenny Anderson

How about how the Krabby Patties are actually stored in a Chum bucket?

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Danny Skinner
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Next we pop in to take in the colorful, fan-art-filled dressing room of Danny Skinner, who makes his debut as Patrick Star.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Lilli Cooper- Sandy Cheeks
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Over in her dressing room, the fabulous Lilli Cooper begins her prep to become Texas squirrel Sandy Cheeks.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Lilli Cooper- Sandy Cheeks

Just radiant.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Lilli Cooper- Sandy Cheeks
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Like the other stars, Lilli has a whole fan art section to her dressing room as well.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Beware of jelly fish as you wander the Palace Theatre.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Kyle Matthew Hamilton
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Or you might find people warming up. Hey, Kyle Matthew Hamilton!

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Stephanie Hsu- Jai'Len Christine Josey
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Next we drop in to see two ladies giving standout debut performances on Broadway: Stephanie Hsu (who plays Karen the Computer) and Jai'Len Christine Li Josey (who slays as Pearl Krabs).

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Tina Landau
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Oh my gosh, celeb sighting. It's the musical's genius director and conceiver, Tina Landau!

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Gavin Lee- Squidward
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Any guess whose dressing room is next?

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Gavin Lee- Squidward
Photo by Jenny Anderson

It's Tony and Olivier nominee Gavin Lee! His performance as Squidward Q. Tentacles is BEYOND next level. He taps with all four of those feet, people!

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Gavin Lee- Squidward- Wes Taylor
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Gavin shares a laugh with his dressing room neighbor, Wes "The Situation" Taylor.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Costumes
Photo by Jenny Anderson

So much self-restraint not to throw on a jacket and kickline to "I'm Not a Loser".

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Brian Ray Norris
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Brian Ray Norris makes his Broadway debut as the Krusty Krab's money-hungry owner, Mr. Eugene Krabs.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Lilli Cooper- Abby C. Smith
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Next stop is the ladies' ensemble dressing room, where we find Abby C. Smith applying her wild, blue Mrs. Puff eye makeup.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Oneika Phillips
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Likewise, Oneika Phillips knows a thing or two about creating a fierce SpongeBob look.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Curtis Holbrook
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Over in the guys' dressing room, one of Broadway's most captivating dancers, Curtis Holbrook strums his guitar. In addition to his wild, roller Electric Skates number, Curtis also understudies the lead role of SpongeBob.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Jon Rua
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Hamilton and Hands on a Hardbody alum Jon Rua enjoys a bite before prepping for his entrance as Patchy the Pirate, the character who kicks off the whole show.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Kelvin Moon Loh

Kelvin Moon Loh (who plays reporter Perch Perkins) is very on brand right now.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- JC Schuster
Photo by Jenny Anderson

JC Schuster (who has appeared on B'way in Soul Doctor and Fiddler on the Roof) brings the LOLs as Old Man Jenkins.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Kyle Matthew Hamilton
Photo by Jenny Anderson

With crunch time approaching, it's time for Kyle Matthew Hamilton and the guys to get Bikini Bottom ready.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Allan K Washington Robert Taylor Jr
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Allan K. Washington smiles on as Robert Taylor Jr. paints for the opening number.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Fish
Photo by Jenny Anderson

This fish repping the ocean for the entire SpongeBob crew.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Abby C Smith
Photo by Jenny Anderson

It's Abby C. Smith again, serving a big warm-up smile.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Danny Skinner- Patrick
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Wig time! Danny Skinner's Patrick transformation looks nearly complete.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Ethan Slater- Danny Skinner
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Now he can take a moment to chill with Ethan Slater.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Wes Taylor- Plankton
Photo by Jenny Anderson

Wes Taylor is dressed, face beat, and ready for his Plankton ponytail and eyepatch.

Spongebob Squarepants - Musical- Broadway-Backstage- Lilli Cooper- Sandy Cheeks
Photo by Jenny Anderson

We leave you and the SpongeBob gang with this photo of Lilli Cooper in full Sandy Cheeks drag because it is EVERYTHING! See her and the magnificent company live at Broadway's Palace Theatre.

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