John Legend, David Bowie, T.I. and Cyndi Lauper among artists to write original songs for SpongeBob musical

  • Nickelodeon said on Monday it will produce the world premiere of The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago next summer
  • The SpongeBob Musical will include original songs from music artists including Dirty Projectors, The Flaming Lips and Lady Antebellum
  • It is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt 

There's a SpongeBob musical in the works but the music is no kiddie stuff.

Nickelodeon said on Monday it will produce the world premiere of The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago next summer.

The musical will include original songs from music artists including John Legend, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Dirty Projectors, The Flaming Lips, T.I., Plain White T's, They Might Be Giants, Lady Antebellum, Panic! At the Disco, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

Nickelodeon said on Monday it will produce the world premiere of The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago next summer (SpongeBob Squarepants shown above)

Nickelodeon said on Monday it will produce the world premiere of The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago next summer (SpongeBob Squarepants shown above)

The musical will include original songs from music artists including John Legend (above) among other artists
David Bowie (above) will also be writing an original song for the musical

The musical will include original songs from music artists including John Legend (left), David Bowie (right), The Flaming Lips, T.I., Plain White T's and They Might Be Giants

It is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt.

'SpongeBob has transformed television, fashion and the art community,' Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon's president of content development and production told the Chicago Tribune. 'The theater will be next.'

The SpongeBob Musical will play at Chicago's Oriental Theatre starting June 7 until July 3 with an eye to Broadway in the fall.

Other musical artists writing original songs for the musical include Cyndi Lauper (above)
The SpongeBob Musical will have songs from T.I. (above), Lady Antebellum, Panic! At the Disco, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry

Other musical artists writing original songs for the musical include Cyndi Lauper (left), T.I. (right), Lady Antebellum, Panic! At the Disco, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry

The SpongeBob Musical is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau (pictured in 2009) with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt

The SpongeBob Musical is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau (pictured in 2009) with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt

Producers call it 'a rousing tale of a simple sea sponge who faces the unfathomable. It's a celebration of unbridled hope, unexpected heroes, and pure theatrical invention.'

'All of those amazing composers are fans of SpongeBob,' Hicks told the Tribune. 

'Music has always been an important part of the show and everyone saw this as a real creative challenge. We were excited by everyone who wants to write songs for him.'

Kids' material has made the leap to stage before including The Addams Family, Annie and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. 

And writer, director and producer Adam McKay is currently working on an Archie musical.

Producers call the musical 'a rousing tale of a simple sea sponge who faces the unfathomable. It's a celebration of unbridled hope, unexpected heroes, and pure theatrical invention'

Producers call the musical 'a rousing tale of a simple sea sponge who faces the unfathomable. It's a celebration of unbridled hope, unexpected heroes, and pure theatrical invention'

It will play at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (pictured) starting June 7 until July 3 with an eye to Broadway in the fall

It will play at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (pictured) starting June 7 until July 3 with an eye to Broadway in the fall

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now