South Africa’s finest home-grown acting talent will be making a splash when they appear in the hotly anticipated undersea adventure, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Sponge Who Could Fly, which will be delighting South African audiences in December 2009 and January 2010.

Helping SpongeBob to pursue his lifelong dream of flying with the Pacific Ocean jellyfish will be the much loved Bikini Bottom gang, played by veteran actors and musical comedy stars, Vicky Friedman; Craig Hawks; Chris van Rensburg; Zak Hendrikz; Jo Galloway; Carly Buch; David Chevers; Bruce Little; Clare McIlroy; and Clive Gilson. Together with US star, Luke Mills (who plays SpongeBob), the cast will bring to life the fantasy underwater town of Bikini Bottom at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena, between 21 and 30 December, and at GrandWest’s Grand Arena between 3 and 13 January, 2010.

Vicky Friedman, who plays the part of squirrel, Sandy Cheeks, is no stranger to the world of showbiz, having performed in many productions, including Cinders and her Fella; Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Annie; Sleeping Beauty; and the international production, Boogie Nights. More recently, SA audiences have seen Vicky as one of the six merry murderesses in Chicago, in which she also understudied the lead role of Velma Kelly. She also understudied the role of Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Craig Hawks, another old hand of the stage, plays Patchy the Pirate. Having completed a Bachelor in Live Performance from AFDA, Hawks has appeared in a number of theatre productions, including Pata Pata; The Pirate King; The Final Tumble; Mother of the Brides; My Fair Lady; and Fiddler on the Roof. He has also appeared as a featured extra in the television series, Jozi Streets and City Ses'la.

Cantankerous octopus, Squidward Tentacles, will be portrayed by the super-talented Chris van Rensburg. Chris has appeared in a variety of theatrical and film productions, including The Rocky Horror Show. Other roles include the SABC 2 mini-series, Huis van Liefde, and the movie, Hansie. Zak Hendrikz, best known for his role as Gerhard, a skateboarding hip-hop salesman, in the SABC2 sitcom, Askies, plays Mr Krabs.

In the role of Money Fish will be Jo Galloway, who has recently wowed audiences with her portrayal of Amber von Tussle in Hairspray. Previously, Jo has performed in Richard Loring's African Footprint; Buddy Holly, That'll Be the Day; followed by Fusion; Tim Plewman's Fangs; and Girl Talk 007 at the Sound Stage

Rounding off the all-star cast is Carly Buch (Mrs Puff); David Chevers (Larry the Lobster); Bruce Little (playing SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick the Starfish); Clare McIlroy; and Clive Gilson.

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants: The Sponge Who Could Fly is proudly brought to South Africa by Sun International, in association with DStv and Broadway Asia Entertainment

Tickets cost between R100 to R200, and show times vary between 14h00; 15h00; and 18h00 depending on the day. To book, contact Computicket at 083 915 8000 or on www.computicket.com. For further information, visit www.spongebobontour.co.za and www.nickelodeonafrica.com.

SpongeBob SquarePants can be seen four times a day on Nickelodeon [DStv Channel 305] at 08h30; 14h00; 17h30; and 20h00.