ORLANDO, Fla. — Are you ready kids?

"The Spongebob Musical" has dropped anchor at the Orlando Repertory Theatre with more than a dozen original songs and a new plot featuring all your favorite characters from the show.

While he might not live in a pineapple under the sea, with the signature red tie, Joel Hunt is preparing to step in to the role of one of the most beloved cartoon characters of all time.

“You put it way up here and you kind of shake your laugh a little bit and that is how you do a Spongebob laugh,” he said. 

Hunt is playing Spongebob in "The Spongebob Musical" being put on by the Orlando Repertory theater. Its not something the Ocala native said he'd ever expected to do.

“I went to the performing arts high school and I joined kind of late, joined my sophomore year," said Hunt. “I got bit by the bug as they say, got bit by the theater bug and ever since then, right after high school I booked my first professional gig and haven't looked back.”

As a big fan of the TV show, he said this is his scariest role to date.

“People know who Spongebob is, so you have to have certain mannerisms and you can make it your own of course and I try to do that,” said Hunt.

Once he is all dressed, Hunt is ready to grab his fry cook spatula and hit the stage.

He leads an incredible ensemble through all kinds of musical numbers and nautical nonsense in the town of Bikini Bottom. Of course, with all the characters, both kids and adults know and love.

As Hunt pours his heart into his performance, he said he hopes the audience walks away feeling the joy the show is known for.

“I would love for them to feel the optimism, I think just the bright outlook on life that Spongebob has," Hunt said. "Maybe, if you take anything from the show, you can leave with a little bit brighter smile."

The Rep is hosting two showings of the musical every Saturday and Sunday through April 30. Visit the Orlando Repertory Theatre website for more information, or to purchase tickets.