Grant Community High School is diving under the sea for its 2026 musical, bringing the animated world of Bikini Bottom with “SpongeBob the Musical.” Grant Theatre is transforming the beloved childhood cartoon into an on-stage performance with high-energy choreography, colorful set design and fast-paced theatrical production. The show promises to blend nostalgia with live performance to relive the childhood experience of life in Bikini Bottom. Student Art Director Kara Scanlon’s goal is to keep the show unique to Grant compared to the Broadway interpretation and the cartoon. “There has been a lot of back and forth referencing between the TV show and the Broadway musical,” says Scanlon, “We’ve strived to sketch out a show both unique to Grant while still being tried and true to the original SpongeBob.” Junior Kaitlyn Carpenter, an actress in the show, elaborates how creating a large show pays off through everyone’s teamwork in the show, “This musical is huge, probably one of the biggest I’ve ever been a part of,” explained Carpenter, “However, I know once the cast, crew and pit’s hard work comes together, it is going to be so rewarding.” When the curtains open on April 24-26, the hard work from the cast, run crew and the pit orchestra will pay off to create a remarkable musical.