Are you ready, kids?

Get ready to drop on the deck and flop like a fish this Friday at Plaza Park with the Broke Thespians Theatre Company’s third-annual free summer show, “The Spongebob Musical.”

Follow Spongebob Squarepants — the abundantly- optimistic hero, and his squishy and slightly- less-heroic sidekick, Patrick Star — on a deep sea journey to save their beloved Bikini Bottom from a soon-to-erupt volcano. SpongeBob and his band of undersea friends must come together to save the world in a light-hearted adventure promising nautical nonsense the whole family can enjoy.

“How can you not be excited about Spongebob?” Mitchell Oden, co-founder and president of the Broke Thespians Theatre Company, said. “Even if you weren't an avid watcher of the cartoon, most recognize the very familiar name. Well, now add ‘musical’ to the end of it and it’s easy to say you have people’s attention.”

As the Broken Thespians enter the final rounds of rehearsals before the opening night on Friday, Oden expressed his excitement over bringing their third free summer musical to the stage.

“This year is looking to be one of the best so far,” Oden said. “We are definitely getting better every year and this year is no different — and it’s not because I’m in it!”

“The Spongebob Musical” boasts a cast and crew of 46 (including Oden), with 32 performers and 14 on the creative teams and technical crews. “Twenty-one of which you will recognize from our musicals prior — ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka’ — but this year, spectacularly, we have 25 new faces.”

The summer musical welcomes cast members from all around the Hill Country, including Lockhart, Leander, Austin, San Antonio, New Braunfels and Wimberley, as well as student actors from San Marcos CISD.

“We are very proud to celebrate and welcome our newcomers to not only the Plaza Park stage but to Broke Thespians as well,” Oden said.

As the Broke Thespians continue to work as San Marcos’ only community theater program, Oden said that more and more, community members and local businesses have been reaching out to show support.

“There is a level of trust and proof our community members need before they recognize any sort of new ‘thing’ in town,” Oden said. “I can happily say, I think we have proven ourselves and gained this trust. The families and community of San Marcos are recognizing our name and members. We have been met with nothing but positivity and excitement for what we do next.”

This support includes the Broke Thespians finding a new temporary home at the Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 as well as increases in theater membership and community involvement. “We are so thankful for all of our opportunities,” Oden said. “We are ready to become an integral part of San Marcos and hope to carry on its ‘Marvelous’ legacy for the arts.”

In addition to overflowing comedy, dancing and singing, “The Spongebob Musical” features an impressively long list of artists who contributed songs to the show.

“The music credits in this show are stacked,” Oden enthused. “You have songs and lyrics written by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I. Not to mention David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. These names alone should give you all the reason you need to come out and see the show.”

And if that isn’t enough of a hook, Oden also said that their creative technical design will bring a fun and memorable underwater aquatic theme San Marcans are sure to recognize.

“It is very reminiscent of San Marcos and our fantastic river, and I think the community will thoroughly enjoy it,” Oden said.

“The Spongebob Musical” will open at 7:30 p.m. July 12 at Plaza Park. Shows continue Saturday, July 13, and on the following two weekends, July 19 and 20 and July 26 and 27.

So as this sponge is Bob and these pants are square, bring a blanket or a lawn chair to Plaza Park for “The Spongebob Musical.” Visit brokethespianstheatrecompany. org to learn more about the Broke Thespian Theatre Company.