Hometown Heroes event features SpongeBob Musical

The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton continued their performance of the SpongeBob Musical Nov. 20 as part of the Hometown Heroes program honoring Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard Base.

The evening began with the presentation of the colors by Wright-Patterson’s Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by Staff Sgt. Joanne Griffin.

Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander; Jeff Hoagland, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition; and Ty Sutton, CEO of Victoria Theatre Association, offered opening remarks.

The SpongeBob Musical, based on the Nickelodeon animated television series, received 12 Tony Award nominations.

SpongeBob is a fictional sponge living in a pineapple in an underwater city with his friends. When a volcano threatens to erupt and ruin the entire town of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob and two of his friends make a plan to save the city. The musical is a colorful, giggly rendition of how friendship and optimism can save the world.

The Hometown Heroes program, started in 2003 by the Dayton Development Coalition along with the generosity of local businesses, donates complimentary tickets to Dayton Dragons games, performances through the Victoria Theatre Association, March Madness at University of Dayton and the Fraze Pavilion.

The program represents Dayton’s appreciation for those serving the country and their sacrifices and lets Airmen know that Dayton will always welcome them home.

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