Something Rotten!: The Musical is set in 1595. William Shakespeare dominates the stage with his plays and his rock-star persona. For Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are struggling to produce a successful play, Shakespeare casts a huge shadow over their efforts. Older brother Nick decides to consult a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, to determine what will become the next “can’t miss” innovation for the stage. Nick learns it’s “the Musical.” Armed with this “knowledge” Nick and Nigel and their band of actors put on a production that spoofs all the musicals you’ve ever seen. There’s plenty of singing and tap dancing and silly antics in Something Rotten!. If you need a laugh or two, Something Rotten! will tickle your Funny Bone. GRADE: B+
SONG LIST:
Act I
“Welcome to the Renaissance” – Minstrel and Company
“God, I Hate Shakespeare” – Nick, Nigel, The Troupe
“Right Hand Man” – Bea, Nick
“God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise)” – Nick
“A Musical” – Nostradamus, Nick, Ensemble
“The Black Death” – The Troupe
“I Love the Way” – Portia, Nigel
“Will Power” – Shakespeare, Ensemble
“Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top” – Nick, Company
Act II
“Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)” – Minstrel
“Hard to Be the Bard” – Shakespeare and Ensemble
“It’s Eggs!” – Nick, The Troupe
“We See the Light” – Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, Ensemble
“To Thine Own Self” – Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare and The Troupe
“Right Hand Man (Reprise)” – Bea
“Something Rotten!” – The Troupe
“Make an Omelette” – Nick and Company
“To Thine Own Self (Reprise)” – Nick
“Finale” – The Company
Sounds really fine! Where did you see it?
Dan, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is part of our Shea’s Performing Arts “Musical Package.” We see the musical version of THE SCHOOL OF ROCK in April.
Does any of the music hold up beyond the satirical That’s where I am always disappointed in this sort of show. I saw one not long ago and there was not a memorable song in it. If there had been, it would have been fine.
Patti, many of the songs in SOMETHING ROTTEN! are spoofs of well-known Broadway Musical hits. You have to be in the mood for silliness to enjoy a production of this sort.
This is one I definitely want to see. It should hopefully come to San Diego. I remember seeing something (probably on PBS) showing the cast doing a number from it at the Obama white house. they had theater students meet with the cast. I think the Hamilton cast and the Get on Your feet cast also participated. Sounds a bit like forbidden broadway or Spamilton (both of which I’ve loved)
Christian Borle was the lead and I’ve loved him ever since seeing him as Black Stache in Peter & the Starcatchers (the one play I saw opening night at the La Jolla PLayhouse!!
I’m seeing the sequel to the Phantom at the end of the month.
Maggie, Katie saw the sequel to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Keep your expectations low.
We weren’t even that taken with PHANTOM, to be honest, though we had amazing seats (which we got through the teachers’ union) – in front of the “falling” chandelier. So the sequel is not on the cards. We skipped SOMETHING ROTTEN as it just looked silly. I was surprised, however, as how much we enjoyed SCHOOL OF ROCK – as much as the movie and a lot more than the musical version of GROUNDHOG DAY.
Jeff, Diane saw SCHOOL OF ROCK on Broadway with her sister and Katie. I’m looking forward to the musical version. I loved the movie!