Photo Credit: Rick Aguilar
“Frankie Leo Bennett charms in the titular role at Kokandy, with a megawatt smile and youthful energy that never flags during the 2.5-hour show.”
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune
“Bennett nails every aspect of the SpongeBob persona, from the high-pitched voice to the sparkle in his eye, with vocal chops that his animated counterpart could only ever dream of.”
Tristan Bruns, NewCity
“…endearing, enthusiastic…relentlessly optimistic; Bennett brings a childlike, wide-eyed charisma to the stage and… more energy than a pod of dancing dolphins; [His] powerful pipes leading the charge on Coulton’s ‘Bikini Bottom Day’ and leaving it all on the stage for Panic! at the Disco’s relatable ‘(Just A) Simple Sponge’.”
Catey Sullivan, The Chicago Sun-Times
“Frankie Leo Bennett is simply perfect as “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Rudy Panucci - PopCultBlog.com
"...It’s funny and raunchy but in director Frankie Leo Bennett’s staging, surprisingly heartwarming, as well.
Albert Williams, Chicago Reader
“Making his debut as the director of this year’s holiday production… Bennett guides his large, talented cast, helping them bring out all the bawdy humor of the play, as well as the heart and humanity of the story.”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
“But for those who are diehard fans of the original show and willing to embrace Handbag’s signature scathing sense of humor, THE GOLDEN GIRLS SAVE XMAS makes for a riotously funny evening spent with family and friends.”
Zac Thriffiley, BroadwayWorld Chicago
“…Somewhere in comedy heaven Betty White and friends are surely smiling at the perfect homage.”
YourChicagoGuide
Frankie Leo Bennett is a Chicago-based theatre artist. And a giant goofball.
Actor | Director | Writer
Jeff-Award Nominee - The SpongeBob Musical - Best Actor in a Leading Role: Musical/Revue
Producing Artistic Associate at Porchlight Music Theatre
Onstage | Recently starred as SpongeBob SquarePants in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL and featured in the Chicago Premiere of HEAD OVER HEELS as King Basilius with Kokandy Productions; Additional credits include Porchlight Music Theatre, Hell in a Handbag Productions, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre among others.
Offstage | Recently directed THE GOLDEN GIRLS SAVE X-MAS (Hell in a Handbag Productions); Playwright, lyricist, and composer of the new ten-minute musical RESIDENT SERVICES: A CROSSED-UP MUSICAL; produced, directed, and developed the workshop production of PUNKASS PASTRY; and served as Interim Workshop Coordinator for Broadway In Chicago.
Training | Has studied with Chicago Dramatists, Steep Theatre Company, Roundabout Theatre Company’s TheatreLab, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Second City Training Center, and The School at Porchlight.
Above: Frankie Leo Bennett as Tobias Ragg
SWEENEY TODD (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre) | Photo: Cody Jolly
