SpongBob SquarePants Live! to Play International Tour

Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, with partner Broadway Asia Entertainment (BAE), has announced the latest expansion of one of the popular franchise SpongeBob SquarePants, with a first ever live tour based on the top kids' show. 

"SpongeBob SquarePants Live! The Sponge Who Could Fly!, launching in Singapore at The Singapore Expo Hall on May 31, 2007, will be the first customization of the property into a live musical event and also marks the first time Nickelodeon has ever premiered a live tour outside the US.  The loveable sea sponge, his best starfish buddy Patrick and friends will embark on a pan-Asia tour presented by Nickelodeon Live Theatricals and Broadway Asia Entertainment, the tour will travel to five cities across Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila)  before making its way to Australia and New Zealand.  In Fall 2007, a Mandarin language version of SpongeBob SquarePants Live! The Sponge Who Could Fly! is scheduled to premiere in China and Hong Kong.  Details of the  Australia, New Zealand and China legs of the tour will be announced shortly," state press notes.

"SpongeBob Squarepants Live!  The Sponge Who Could Fly!  is based on the SpongeBob SquarePants series episode entitled The Lost Episode/The Sponge Who Could Fly. The live stage production features a magical set that transports the audience to SpongeBob's underwater world of bikini bottom. The apt transition of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' from on-air to theatrical live show was supervised by series creator Stephen Hillenburg and Executive Producer Paul Tibbet."

SpongeBob Squarepants Live!  The Sponge Who Could Fly! is based on the original direction of Gip Hoppe, who first worked with Nickelodeon on Blue's Clues Live! and Blue's Clues Live! - Blue's Birthday Party, as well as the "Dora the Explorer" live productions Search for the City of Lost Toys and Dora's Pirate Adventure!   Tony-Award winning scenic designer David Gallo also returns to this production after working on Dora's Pirate Adventure!

BAE combines the talents of Broadway Asia Company (BAC) principals Simone Genatt and Marc Routh and The Viertel, Routh, Baruch and Frankel Group.  Broadway Asia is the foremost booker of Broadway shows into the Asia Pacific region, responsible for such shows as The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Cookin', The Producers, and Hairspray.

The Viertel/Routh/Baruch/Frankel Group is among Broadway's leading  producers, having produced multiple company's of The Producers (12 Tony Awards, the most in history), Hairspray (8 Tony Awards), Stomp (12 years in NY, 10 years of international touring), the acclaimed Broadway revival of The Sound of Music, Smokey Joe's Café and many others.

Together they are focused on establishing partnerships with venues, governments, local businesses and local presenters in each territory in Asia to work collaboratively towards centralizing Asia as a major Broadway touring route for the future.

The musical's book is written by Steven Banks, a man no stranger to SpongeBob's seafaring world.  He is head writer and story editor of
Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants," co-producer of the series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and the author of over 20 children's books.  The musical also features original songs and adaptations from  composer/lyricist Eban Schletter.

SpongeBob Squarepants Live!  The Sponge Who Could Fly! is choreographed by Jenn Rapp, who also serves as associate director.  The costume design is by Mirena Rada; lighting design is by Richard G. Jones; the sound design is by Christopher Cronin; the puppet design is by Michael Curry and the flying sequence is designed by Paul Rubin.

For more information on SpongeBob Squarepants Live!  The Sponge Who Could Fly!, visit www.nicksplat.com.