Animated movies about talking animals are a dime a dozen. You know the drill. Usually, it's a fast-talking squirrel or a grumpy dog, but David Soren's 2023 musical Under the Boardwalk decided to go a different route by focusing on the high-stakes world of Jersey Shore hermit crabs. It’s weird. It’s colorful. Honestly, the under the boardwalk cast is probably the only reason this movie sticks the landing as well as it does.
When Paramount first started teasing this project, people were a bit skeptical. Hermit crabs? Really? But then you look at the names attached to these tiny crustaceans and realize they went for a specific blend of Broadway powerhouses and seasoned comedic actors. It wasn't just about slapping a big name on a poster; they needed people who could actually sing.
The Lead Duo: Keke Palmer and Michael Cera
At the heart of the story are Armen and Ramona. If you’ve followed Keke Palmer’s career, you know she’s basically a force of nature. In Under the Boardwalk, she voices Ramona, a "sea" crab who is a bit more adventurous than her "land" crab counterparts. Palmer brings that signature energy she’s had since Akeelah and the Bee, but with a layer of pop-star vocal polish that makes the musical numbers pop.
Then there’s Michael Cera.
He plays Armen. Armen is a land crab. He’s nervous. He’s awkward. Basically, he’s every character Michael Cera has played since Arrested Development, but it works perfectly here. There is something inherently funny about Cera’s soft, hesitant voice coming out of a crab wearing a bottle cap as a shell. The contrast between his stuttering caution and Palmer’s belt-it-out confidence is the engine that drives the whole film.
Why the Casting Works
Most animated films try to find two leads with "chemistry," which is hard to do when they are recording their lines in separate booths months apart. Yet, Soren managed to capture a vibe that feels genuine. You’ve got the Landies and the Sea-creatures—a classic West Side Story setup, really—and the under the boardwalk cast had to bridge that gap without making it feel like a cheap Romeo and Juliet knockoff.
The Supporting Players: Broadway Meets Comedy
The real depth of the under the boardwalk cast shows up in the secondary characters. This isn't just a two-person show.
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- Bobby Cannavale: He plays Bobby. He’s got that gravelly, tough-guy-from-Jersey voice that he’s perfected in Boardwalk Empire (ironic, right?) and The Irishman.
- John Magaro: He voices Manny. Magaro is one of those "actor's actors" you’ve seen in Past Lives or The Big Short. Here, he gets to be a bit more eccentric.
- Jon Lovitz: You know the voice instantly. He brings that old-school, slightly nasally comedic timing that provides some of the best one-liners in the movie.
It’s an eclectic mix. You have Cannavale, who sounds like he should be shaking someone down for protection money, playing a crab. Then you have the legendary Jon Lovitz just being Jon Lovitz. It’s a chaotic energy that keeps the movie from feeling too much like a standard "kids' flick."
The Musical Element and Steve Zahn
We have to talk about Steve Zahn. He plays Caspar. Zahn has this incredible ability to sound both completely unhinged and deeply endearing at the same time. Remember him in That Thing You Do!? He brings that same musicality here.
Since Under the Boardwalk is a musical, the cast wasn't just hired for their speaking voices. They had to carry tunes written by Sean Patterson. It’s a big ask. Usually, studios hire a "singing voice" and a "speaking voice," but this ensemble handled both. This adds a layer of authenticity. When Ramona starts singing, it sounds like Ramona, not a generic Broadway substitute.
What People Miss About the Voice Acting
Voice acting is a thankless job sometimes. People think you just show up in pajamas and read lines.
But for a movie like this, which had a bit of a rocky release schedule—originally slated for a big theatrical run before moving around—the performances had to be the anchor. The under the boardwalk cast spent hours doing ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) to match the frantic animation style of the Jersey Shore.
The animation team at DNEG Animation relied heavily on the physical quirks of the actors. If you watch Armen closely, you can see some of Michael Cera’s specific facial tics. It’s subtle, but it’s there. That’s the hallmark of a good collaboration between the booth and the desk.
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The Production Context
Let’s be real for a second. The movie had a weird path to our screens. It was produced by Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies. It felt like it was going to be the next Rango or SpongeBob hit. While it didn't quite hit that level of cultural saturation, the talent involved—including writers like Lorene Scafaria (who directed Hustlers)—proves that the "bones" of the project were solid.
The cast wasn't just a random assortment of whoever was available. Scafaria and Soren clearly wanted a specific Jersey flavor. You can hear it in the vowels. You can feel it in the attitude.
Hidden Gems in the Credits
Beyond the big names, the movie features voice work from industry veterans like:
- Gideon Adlon: Rising star from Blockers and The Society.
- Phil LaMarr: A literal legend in the voice-acting world. If you’ve watched a cartoon in the last 30 years, you’ve heard him.
- Ron Funches: His voice is like a warm hug, and he provides some of the most consistent laughs in the film.
Is the Cast Enough to Save the Movie?
Critics were somewhat split on the plot. Some felt the "star-crossed lovers" trope was a bit tired. Others loved the vibrant colors and the beach setting. But almost everyone agreed that the under the boardwalk cast was the highlight.
Without Keke Palmer’s charisma, Ramona might have been annoying. Without Michael Cera’s vulnerability, Armen might have been too pathetic to root for. The casting directors—who often don't get enough credit in these articles—did a massive job of balancing the "cool" factor with the "theatrical" factor.
The movie deals with themes of tribalism and fear of the "other." These are heavy themes for a movie about crabs. The actors had to walk a fine line. Go too heavy, and you lose the kids. Go too light, and the movie feels like fluff.
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Moving Forward: What to Watch Next
If you enjoyed the performances in this film, there are a few logical next steps to dive deeper into these actors' portfolios.
First, check out Keke Palmer’s work in Nope. It shows her range in a completely different genre (horror/sci-fi), but you’ll recognize that same "it factor" she brings to Ramona.
Second, if Michael Cera’s awkward charm is your thing, his work in Life & Beth (alongside Amy Schumer) is a masterclass in understated acting. It’s a bit more adult, but it’s the logical evolution of the persona he uses in Under the Boardwalk.
Lastly, for those who loved the musical aspect, look up the soundtrack. It’s available on most streaming platforms. Listening to the tracks without the visuals lets you really appreciate the vocal control the under the boardwalk cast displayed.
To get the most out of your next viewing or to truly understand the work that went into this film, keep these points in mind:
- Pay attention to the background voices. Many of the "incidental" crabs are voiced by high-level improv comedians who were allowed to riff during recording sessions.
- Compare the "Land" vs "Sea" vocal styles. There is a deliberate difference in the pacing and tone of the two groups, reflecting their different lifestyles on the beach.
- Look for the "Easter eggs" in the dialogue. There are several nods to the actors' previous famous roles buried in the script if you listen closely enough.
The film is a testament to the fact that even the most "niche" premise—Jersey Shore hermit crabs—can be elevated by a group of professionals who take the craft of voice acting seriously.