Swamplight treats guests to ‘SpongeBob’ preview

The occasion was the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce’s After Hours social hosted this month by Swamplight Theatre at 950 SW Railroad Ave.

Chamber officials and hosts greeted the crowd and encouraged all to mingle while enjoying a tempting table abounding with delectable sandwiches, chunks of watermelon, cheeses, veggies and luscious sweets. Dwight Williams of Swamplight tended a refreshing iced tea and cool water bar.

Meanwhile in the theater beyond the gathering area, Director Kendel D. Smith huddled with the SpongeBob cast for final instructions before the preview.

In time, Swamplight hostesses Donna Laurent, Wendy Kinchen Savarino, Danalyn Leblanc and Ang Kinchen beckoned all to the theater seats.

Smith introduced the major characters to the audience and as a heads-up noted the cast had been able to have only a week of practice before the chamber social. What’s more, some were performing in roles they will not play during the actual shows.

The heads-up was barely necessary, however, as the performers sang the show’s opening number with great enthusiasm. “It only gets better,” Smith promised.

They also sang the theme song, “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?…” And the audience enthusiastically joined in the refrain, “SpongeBob SquarePants!”

Dates for “SpongeBob: the Musical” are July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., July 27 at 2:30 p.m., Aug. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug 3 at 2:30 p.m. Smith promised the show will be lots of fun and the audiences will be amazed by how the theater is transformed into the undersea world of the beloved animated comedy TV program.

See swamplight.org for ticket information.

In chamber tradition and with the expertise of Krewe of Erin Squire Alexander Skalican, tickets were drawn for lucky winners to attend Swamplight’s upcoming productions of “Every Brilliant Thing” in September and “What I Did Last Summer” in November, which will be followed by the annual Teddy Bear Tea in December.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS – Following the SpongeBob preview, Chamber President Brandon Phares announced next month’s Chamber After Hours social will be July 10 at the Ponchatoula Rotary Club.

Mary Smith said the Creative Minds Writers Group of Ponchatoula will meet today at 1 p.m. at Twin Steeples. Tisha Smith of PARD said the public is invited to the annual fireworks show Friday, July 4, at the park on Hoover Road, and Christina Skalican announced the Krewe of Erin’s Celtic Festival is set for Sept. 20 at Kiwanis Park.

PAGEANT – Corey Dufreche announced the Strawberry Festival pageant is tonight at 6:30 at Ponchatoula High School Auditorium.

Contenders for Louisiana Strawberry Queen LIV are Aubrey Brumfield, Claire Edwards, Irma Hyde, Meleah Pea and Ashleigh Traylor.

This much-anticipated annual event will also include the coronation of the Ponchatoula Strawberry King LIV, the 2026 Strawberry Blossom and the 2026 Strawberry Grand Marshal.