Fultz brings high energy, big heart to 'The SpongeBob Musical'

Nov. 17—There may be no more unanimous a casting choice in theater history: Sam Fultz is SpongeBob SquarePants.

This weekend, the senior will take the stage as the iconic cartoon character when Logansport High School presents "The SpongeBob Musical" as this year's "Winter Fantasy" performance.

Senior Finley Gay remembers telling Fultz while auditions were taking place that he was perfect for SpongeBob.

"Everybody was like 'you have to be him, you are perfect,'" he said. "And then of course the cast list comes out and Sam Fultz is SpongeBob. Who could have guessed that?"

There was honestly no one else who could play the role of SpongeBob SquarePants like Fultz. Those sitting at home fan-casting the play (yes, Cass County theater fans do this) knew it had to be Sam Fultz. Much like SpongeBob, Fultz is full of explosive energy and has a heart of gold.

Fultz's voice can echo across the McHale auditorium without the need of a microphone. He can accomplish exaggerated pratfalls across the stage. But he will also be available to share a quiet moment with a friend in need.

When many of his peers were emptying the McHale stage at the end of the last Logansport Children's Choir concert this past summer, their eyes filled with tears, it was Fultz who greeted them with open arms and shared their sorrow.

"He can be goofy but he can also be serious. He really does have a really big heart," said his mother, Holly Fultz. "He's actually a softie but he doesn't like to lead on about that. He's very caring."

While Fultz is perfect to play the role of SpongeBob, he didn't know much about the character. He was a PBS kid, he said.

Luckily, senior Payton Mucker, who plays SpongeBob's best friend, Patrick Star, was there to tell Fultz everything he needed to know about living in Bikini Bottom.

"I immediately saw Sam as SpongeBob," Mucker said. "I don't think anyone has the energy that he has."

Gay, who plays Sheldon Plankton, said the role comes with a heavy workload. Nothing happens on stage without SpongeBob, but Fultz can maintain the play's frenetic pace.

"Sam has this energy that just never goes away," said senior Layla Powell, who plays Sandy Cheeks. "SpongeBob is just happy and optimistic all the time and that is literally Sam. There isn't a moment when I've seen Sam and he is just sitting there doing nothing. He's always running around doing something. He's amazing."

Gracie Kitchell graduated from LHS last spring and is now studying at the Jacobs School of Music at IU. She makes up a trio of close friends that include Fultz and Gay.

"Sharing the stage with him for the past six years was incredibly fun and energetic, as is Sam," she said. "His voice is so pure and his acting skills are above and beyond. I will never forget how much fun I had performing with him, but I'm so excited to watch him do what he does best this weekend."

Fultz said that it takes his breath away that he has been able to perform with so many talented people. He calls them not only friends but family.

"Not only to share the stage with them but to share the dressing room and life with them is amazing and I wouldn't have that (if I didn't act)," he said. "I might have met them but I wouldn't be as close without drama club. To be able to perform with so many people who are so insanely talented, there are so many people who are so good at what they do and we have so much fun while doing it."

Fultz has been acting since sixth grade. His first role was in a play called "Who's Dying to be a Millionaire?" a gameshow murder mystery. He was on stage for five seconds, he recalled, and he still remembers his dialogue: "right."

His father, who played Kenickie in "Grease" when he was a senior in high school, inspired Fultz to try acting. His father only performed once. Fultz is on the cusp of 20 theater credits.

"When (his father) was up on stage it was just a natural thing for him like it is for Sam," said his mother. "The stage is a comfort, I think, for Sam. He can be himself and he's not being judged. He's just himself. And his dad has always been goofy. Sam takes a lot after him."

LHS English teacher and play director Anthony Kinney said it had been a great experience directing Fultz through his high school drama career. Kinney said Fultz brings natural talent to the stage but still has a drive to improve.

"He took two roles as radically different as Tom Kreider in "Radium Girls" and SpongeBob SquarePants in this show and found the humanity in both," he said. "If that's not a true actor, then I don't know what is."

His mother said that Fultz had reached a place in his craft where he could confidently be whoever he needs to be when performing.

"I get a lot of joy out of being able to do things like this, especially now," Fultz said. "Senior year you want to have a big role. It's a lot of work. I'm still tweaking things but I'm excited to bring it to the stage. This show will be memorable so I am happy I can be a part of that."

Nautical Nonsense

Those familiar with the cartoon can expect the same level of zaniness on the McHale Performing Arts Center stage this weekend.

The plot is relatively simple. SpongeBob and friends Patrick and Sandy must step up when a volcano threatens the existence of their hometown, Bikini Bottom. At the same time, Sheldon Plankton has nefarious plans to capitalize on the situation.

But despite the basic Saturday morning cartoon plot, the show includes themes of friendship, unity and inclusion.

It's also fast paced so children should be easily entertained throughout the two-hour runtime.

The show debuted in Chicago in 2016 and opened months later on Broadway in June 2017, receiving 12 Tony nominations in the process.

Fultz said there was a lot of passive stress that comes with portraying SpongeBob. He said his biggest worry was people will watch the play and say 'that's not SpongeBob.' While the costumes are minimalist in nature, no one familiar with the character will look at Fultz and scratch their head in confusion. Especially when he does a near perfect SpongeBob voice.

Among one of the play's key attractions, Mucker said, was the music. The play is made up of new songs contributed by celebrated musicians such as Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, John Legend and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.

The play also includes a reworked number from David Bowie, "No Control," from his 1995 comeback concept album "1. Outside." Bowie was a SpongeBob fan and in 2007 he provided the voice of Lord Royal Highness from Atlantis.

"There are some really, really difficult songs in here that the kids are nailing," said teacher and music director Angie Ticen. "Especially our soloists."

"The hardest songs vocally are also the hardest songs physically," added Emily Brooke, a music director, choreographer and teacher.

The cast toured the Logansport Community School Corporation elementary schools on Monday, performing for the students. Fultz said they got really good receptions from all the students, especially at Landis Elementary.

"Kids love SpongeBob," Fultz said. "Shout out to Landis. They were really hyped and really excited so I hope that carries over into our audience this weekend. I hope people come in with an open mind and ready to get their socks blown off."

Cast members will remain in costume following each performance so that children in attendance may take pictures with their favorite characters.