Downey's Clover Curtice debuts in SpongeBob musical

The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company just completed a hugely successful sold out run of ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ to standing ovations at the 200-seat Long Beach Playhouse. It is among the most enjoyable children’s musicals I have seen all year.

Downey’s Clover Curtice makes her theatre debut as the Lobster. She is in her element as she joins together with other young people from Long Beach, Bellflower, Compton, Westminster, and Manhattan Beach who rehearsed during this summer for this production.

Jewel Box, founded in 2016 by Anna Kate Mohler and Andy Zacharias, is a gem of a children’s theatre. It is deeply ingrained in the community. That’s what theatre is really about, building community. Their partnership with the Long Beach Playhouse is a natural fit.

Shades of John Hume’s former nationally recognized Downey Children’s Theatre for which the Downey Theatre was built are evident.

There is no cost to the young people to participate. Jewel Box even does audition workshops to assist them in auditioning.

Jewel Box goes further than most children’s theatre. They foster the idea that everyone has imagination. Everyone can act, sing, and dance. They are practitioners of the work of Viola Spolin who is the mother of improvisation. Spolin’s acting exercises, techniques, and theatre games unleash creativity. Focused play unlocks creative self-expression. And it builds an ensemble that work together. It shows in their work.

If Downey Unified School District and the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities are looking for someone to continue their Musical Theatre Conservatory, Jewel Box Children’s Theatre is a candidate. They are very successful in after school programs and relationships with LBUSD and other schools.

Mohler and Zacharias are also the arts administrators funding Jewel through after-school programs, grant writing, community performances and classes. Doing this work is expensive.

I didn’t know anything about SpongeBob. I’ve seen glimpses of Nickelodeon’s TV series. I figured it wasn’t for me. I was pleasantly surprised. It is so whacky it’s almost avant garde. All you need is to just go with the flow.

The full Broadway show is set in in this intimate setting, with diverse cast of 29, and a live band. It’s is a wild, all singing, all dancing, a laugh a minute experience of outrageous fun. The audience and the young performers were enjoying every minute. It was a hoot.

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends Patrick and Sandy come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!

Jewel Box Artistic Director Anna Kate Mohler, along with Carole Louise Nickolas and Milo Cote, join forces in directing. This is magic. Their dynamic and innovative staging fills the thrust stage with constant action and surprises reaching every audience member. They capture the cartoonish charm of the characters while also conveying genuine emotions and situations. And they milk every opportunity for humor.

Jewel Box Musical Director Andy Zacharias joins up with Tessa Holder as they add their own magic. We witness every cast member singing their hearts out and having fun with a diverse range of musical styles, and songs. Did I mention these kids can sing?

The other magic is the choreography by Lea Mano and Phoebe Castellanos. These kids are everywhere and in sync.

Jennifer Lidikay’s costume design is spectacular and the ensemble is constantly changing from one outfit to another.

As I entered the theatre, Patchy The Pirate, played by Benjamin Byrne, in a fabulous costume, offered to guide me to my seat. An usher said “He’s not allowed to do that!” and followed us to my seat scolding him all the way. I thought this is a just a little kid who must be excited about the performance. I didn’t realize until later that the ushers were dressed as security guards and it was all a set up and running gag. Patchy The Pirate opens the play, and steals every scene he’s in. “Pirates are people too!” Quite a character.

AJ Burchler as SpongeBob, and Myles Zinti as Patrick Star as his best friend forever are a riot. They are remarkably expressive, sincere, comical, and constantly grabbing your attention. They join with the equally expressive Ella Cox, as their friend Sandy, to save Bikini Bottom.

Timm Junge as Squidward is hilarious in his costume with four legs complete with pants and shoes. Not to mention the sound effects every time he moves.

Michael Akhetuamen as Plankton and his wife, Tessa Holder as Karen The Computer, are a giggle as the villains that plan to take over Bikini Bottom.

Equally funny is Joseph Cruz as Mr. Krabs who is obsessed with money and Faith Graham, his daughter, obsessed with the rock group the Electric Skate.

The Electric Skate Band is a crack up, and features special guest roller derby skaters, Vic Cerney-Calder and Maxx Gonzales.

This is what we mean about a theatre ensemble. Kudos to everyone involved. These kids have each other’s backs.

In September the Jewel Box Children’s Theatre will be registering young people for their December Live Radio Show, in which the kids write the characters, create the music, and create the commercial spots. What an opportunity for young people from local cities.

Did I mention the talented teenagers involved? This is a children’s theatre to keep an eye on.

Jewel Box Children’s Theatre: (562) 551-8805