PART 2 – Cast Q&A: New Castle Playhouse Presents The SpongeBob Musical

The New Castle Playhouse will present The SpongeBob Musical starting tonight July 12-21 and will feature some of Ellwood City’s area favorite actors.

At least five Ellwood City Area actors including Lauren Bush, Jacob Storey, Ace Sharer, Alex Hazen, and Lauren Krug will take to the Main Stage in Augustine Auditorium on July 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. (ticket information can be found at the end of the article)

In PART 1 of our series, published Thursday, we caught up with Bush, Storey, and Sharer for a cast Q&A.

In Part 2 below, we feature Hazen and Krug for a cast Q&A.

Directed by Brent Rodgers (well-known for directing many shows at Riverside High School), SpongeBob SquarePants is the musical adaptation of Nickelodeon’s long-running animated children’s sitcom of the same name. We find ourselves in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, inhabited by happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his equally quirky circle of friends and neighbors. SpongeBob’s pleasant existence is abruptly interrupted when it is discovered that Mt. Humongous, a nearby volcano, will erupt within the next 48 hours and completely obliterate Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope.

Alex Hazen

What school do you attend? Riverside High School and Pittsburgh Technical College graduate

Your Current Grade? Received an Associates Degree in Computer Aided Drafting

How long have you been in musicals/plays? I started performing in the theater as a freshman in high school in 2016

What previous leads/musicals have you been in? This is my 16th production, 7th at the playhouse. Notable Roles I’ve had include Cat in the Hat in Seussical at the playhouse, Lank Hawkins in Crazy for You at Stage 62, and Riff Raff in Rocky Horror Show at the playhouse.

Can you briefly describe your musical character? Plankton is a self proclaimed evil genius who is bigger than life in very tiny body. He comes up with countless evil schemes to which none ever come to avail, but all are in desire to find some success and fit in with his peers.

What is your favorite song in this musical? Planktons song “When the Going Gets Tough” is by far my favorite to perform with the fun hip hop choreography fabulously done by Amee Boughter.

What interested you in this role? This role, and all in this show, come with a fascinating challenge: bringing to life characters that everyone knows and loves and my generation grew up with. That being said, bringing the characters voice and inflections into your own is a unique experience, one that I have had a blast embracing. Also playing a character that in actuality is minuscule and bringing him to life in a larger than life way has been a lot of fun.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume? We have had the honor of using professionally made props for this show so all of our props are just incredible but personally, my “Avalanche-Maker 3000” is the coolest prop I’ve ever had for a show and so stoked I get to use such a well made prop.

What’s the hardest part about your role? Definitely trying to stay true to the character that everyone knows and loves, while also trying to add your own flair and personality.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show? This doesn’t come specifically from my character but just the show in general comes with a fun lesson of “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork”. Everyone when working as a team brings their own unique skill which is portrayed in a fun way, whether it’s SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick trying to climb the mountain to save the town, or if its Plankton and Karen working together to hypnotize the town into loving chumburgers.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical? I know the audience will love what our production crew did with the sets, tied in with our incredible props and vibrant costumes! This show is electric and once we bring in an audience, we will have a roomful of people dancing, either on stage or in their seats, just laughing and having a great time.

What is unique about this musical? bringing to life an iconic tv show that everyone has watched and keeping that energy the show has and bringing it onstage is like no other.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why? I have an incredibly long list of dream shows and dream roles, it’s hard to name one but if I must, I’d love to play Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. That role and shows was one of the first I fell in love with and it would be a blast and an honor to bring him to life.

What other activities are you involved in?  Theater, theater, and more theater. I spend almost all of my time working on my next project, but I do really love getting out and playing any number of sports like Pickleball or Soccer with my friends when I do get some free time.

What are your future plans? Keep working on my craft and bettering myself and expanding my network into different theaters and communities.

Lauren Krug

What school do you attend? Community College of Beaver County (CCBC)

What high school did you attend?  Riverside High School

Your Current Grade?  Sophomore

How long have you been in musicals/plays? I have been doing musicals since I was a freshman in High School.

What previous leads/musicals have you been in? Some roles/Shows I have been in include: Meg Boyd in Damn Yankees, The Acrobat/ Big Kid in Matilda, A poor person in Urinetown, and Ensemble in How to Succeed and Happy Days!

Can you briefly describe your musical character? Mrs. Puff is a very funny character who I feel relates the most to the parents in the audience. She seems to have a high level of maturity and can always tell when something seems FISHY.

What is your favorite song in this musical? I’m Not A Loser

What interested you in this role? I have never got to play a comedic character before. Most of the time I am sad or old or both, so I really wanted to try and make people laugh!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume? My most iconic prop has to be my Kelp-a-chino!

What’s the hardest part about your role? The hardest part for me was getting the voice right for Mrs. Puff.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show? I think Mrs. Puff has taught me to always stay true to myself. She is very authentic and I appreciate that about her.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical? I think the audience will enjoy seeing all the characters they have known on the screen for so many years.

What is unique about this musical? Well, pretty much every song in the show is written by a different artist, so every song feels different from the last.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why? I would love to play Anastasia in Anastasia The Musical, I find that musical very beautiful, the songs and the dancing are very enchanting for me.

What other activities are you involved in? I enjoy playing Bass in my free time and drawing.

What are your future plans? Get my degree to become and X-Ray Technician and continue performing!

There are numerous ways to purchase tickets:

1. Online Sales: Click Here to Purchase Tickets. Note: Online sales end approximately one hour prior to the start of the show.
2. By Phone: Call the New Castle Playhouse: 724-654-3437
3. Visit the Box Office: 212 East Long Avenue, New Castle, PA. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday – Friday

To learn more about the New Castle Playhouse, click here.

The SpongeBob Musical is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.