Until they found Slater, who became the musical’s one and only SpongeBob across four years of workshops.
“To me, he is SpongeBob,” saysdirector Tina Landau.
But at essence, he’s deeply lovable.
Now, the secret is out, and 23-year-old Slater (24 in a week!)
is about to make his splashy debut whenThe SpongeBob Musicalmakes its world premiere this June in Chicago.
(A Broadway run is expected thereafter.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What does a person sing when auditioning for SpongeBob?
I mean, I grew up with SpongeBob it came out in 1999, right before I turned 7.
If I had been in any of my friends' dorms, something like that probably would have happened.
What happened withRomeo and Juliet?
I had to drop out, which was a bit of a bummer.
What was the secret to unlocking the character?
Originally, they asked me for a lot of physical comedy.
I mean, yes, I’m a sponge, but really I’m a human.
We’ve really been working from the inside out, and the voice comes out of that.
Do you ever find yourself taking SpongeBob out of the rehearsal room with you?
I’m embracing the complete optimism of SpongeBob outside of rehearsal.
You know, there’s this overwhelming optimism.
And I’ve been lucky enough to have that become a part of my life.
I like to think that it’s influenced me.
I definitely feel it.
Do your friends notice when you start SpongeBobbing?
Every once in a while.
[laughs]
Your co-star Danny Skinner has played Patrick since early workshops as well.
Does your friendship mirror the characters now?
More than you could know, asking that question.
We’ve become incredibly close.
When we’re not working on the show and we have time off, I see him consistently.
We’ve worked on a web series.
I think there’s something to the way the characters have seeped into our lives and our relationship.
He’s a blast.
You kept this secret for so long in college.
Once it’s out and everyone knows, what were you asked the most?
Two things pop into my mind: The first one is usually, “Tina Landau!?
She’s the best!”
Cyndi Lauper, Aerosmith… all generations of people have a reaction to the list.
What’s your favorite today?
At the Disco song is amazing.
And the Yolanda Adams song, which Patrick gets to sing.
Have you been wearing more yellow these days, or is that mostly work attire?
Yellow is mostly work.
And because I’m a redhead, it’s not the best color for me.
But I’ve got to tell you, somehow they make it work so well.
[giggles]
The SpongeBob Musical runs from June 7 through July 10 at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre.
Check out an exclusive first look below
