Two Poughkeepsie Graduates Star in ‘Spongebob’ on Broadway
Absorbent and yellow and from Poughkeepsie is he.
Spongebob Squarepants the Musical is receiving rave reviews since it debuted on Broadway last month. The lavish production features an incredible score that includes songs written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T's and more.
Bringing the character of Spongebob Squarepants to life is Ethan Slater. The 25-year-old actor has been receiving Tony buzz for his portrayal of Spongebob, which many critics have been saying is the role he was born to play.
Slater stars along side Lilli Cooper who portrays Spongebob's squirrel friend, Sandy Cheeks. While this is the first time the duo has starred in a Broadway production together, it's not the first time they've been on the same stage. Both Slater and Cooper previously acted together in Poughkeepsie.
The two Broadway performers started their acting careers as students at Vassar College. According to Vassar's website, the duo performed together at school and followed each others careers until fatefully meeting up at auditions for Spongebob Squarepants the Musical. Cooper graduated in 2012 and performed in Wicked and Spring Awakening before being cast as Sandy. Slater, a 2014 Vassar graduate, is making his Broadway debut as Spongebob.
Since rave reviews have started pouring in, tickets for the show have become harder to come by, but are still available at the Palace Theater box office in Times Square.