Cincinnati Reds Star Joey Votto to Lend Voice to Local SpongeBob Musical Production

Joey Votto may not be sure what his future holds beyond this season, but he is making his theatrical debut later this fall.

The Cincinnati Reds first baseman will lend his voice to the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's production of "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition," the company announced Friday morning on social media. Votto will voice the iconic French Narrator.

Votto will not actually appear on stage, as only his voice recordings will be heard during shows.

The production is scheduled to run from Oct. 14 to Oct. 23 at the Taft Theatre.

❤️ Bonjour, Joey Votto! Cincinnati @Reds First Baseman @JoeyVotto will lend his voice to THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION!

Votto will be heard as the “French Narrator” in the show. Get your tix and hear Cincinnati history being made Oct. 14 - 23: https://t.co/dWEPtcNVQz pic.twitter.com/yeR5cvzirl
— The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (@TCTCincinnati) September 22, 2023

Votto was born in Toronto, Canada, and he speaks a bit of Spanish and French.

The narrator Votto is playing has been around since "SpongeBob Squarepants" debuted on Nickelodeon in 1999. Tom Kenny, who also voices the titular SpongeBob, has done the voice for the French Narrator since the beginning of the show.

"SpongeBob Squarepants" is currently in its 13th season. The franchise also features three feature-length movies, as well as a musical adaptation of the series that first hit Broadway in 2016.

Votto, meanwhile, is in the final guaranteed year of a 10-year, $225 million contract he inked with the Reds all the way back in 2012. Cincinnati has a $20 million team option for Votto in 2024 with a $7 million buyout, so it remains to be seen if the 40-year-old slugger will return for one last season.

In 59 games this year, Votto has hit .202 with 14 home runs, 37 RBI and a .745 OPS. He has spent his entire 17-year career with the Reds, earning top-five spots in virtually every major statistical category in franchise history.

Votto may or may not be suiting up for the Reds when "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition" is in production, as Cincinnati is currently fighting for a spot in the MLB Postseason. The Reds are 79-75, putting them 0.5 games back of the third and final NL Wild Card spot with eight games left on the slate.

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