He is surprised to learn that his hit is about eggs. I loved Something Rotten. It reminded us of the gay panic humor we detested in BOOK OF MORMON, and especially the gay-panic humor in THE SCARLET PIMPERNELL years ago. ", That could also describe "Something Rotten.". He dislikes everything about him, and he goes as far as insulting his brother's taste in Shakespeare's works. Kad said: "I didn't think the humor was gay panicky, just obvious and tired. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell, Something Rotten was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical . Reading and Singing Callbacks. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Extends Through October 2023, SOME LIKE IT HOT Welcomes 380+ NYC Public School Students, Berkshire Theatre Group Sets 2023 Summer Season, Video: First Listen to the 28-Piece Orchestra for Encores! Nigel explains to Portia that he sent one of his sonnets to the Bard for feedback. The wonderful book The Friendly Shakespeare 'Something Rotten' Continues through Aug. 7 at Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave. Lakewood. Its target is the straight-male fear of penetration and his confusion resulting from his inability to read gay codes,coupled with hiscertainty that each and every gay man is trying to bed him. Buena Park, CA, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee He rants about his hatred of Shakespeare to the troupe members, who are horrified ("God, I Hate Shakespeare"). Long Beach, CA, The Mousetrap Portia's father. This is Something Rotten!, the Tony-winning Broadway musical that indirectly ties William Shakespeare to the American musical. Not quite offensive because I don't think it's my place to be offended. Cote is great as the sexually repressed puritan who is against the Bottom brothers and their attempt to make the worlds first musical. "[16], "How 3 Broadway novices wrote 'Something Rotten! (Nick, Nigel, Troupe), I Love the Way, All (Portia and Nigel), BROTHER JEREMIAH - speech on page 35 (cut Nicks line). Nick is having qualms about "Omelette: The Musical" as well, but dismisses these doubts once he learns that the town lined up all the way around the theatre for tickets. The Bottom Brothers set out to write the world's very first musical. Nostradamus references multiple different musicals such as Cats, Les Miserables, Avenue Q, Evita, A Chorus Line, South Pacific, and a ton more that I can't remember in the song A Musical where he predicts the future of musicals. Nick is convinced that Shakespeare steals shows, as supported by the fact that Nick and Nigel (the Bottom Brothers) were writing Richard II and Shakespeare wrote Richard II shortly after. What was the point of any of it then? Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. Tickets: From $15 to $39. And have ROBIN say that line, God I Hate Shakespeare,mm. Brother Jeremiah then runs in to find a drunk Portia and once again admonishes Nigel. Seeking traditional dancers and quirky character types who are strong singers and dancers (must tap) Edward Hibbert. . Kathleen Hornbacker (u/s Portia) Bea wants Nick and Nigel to succeed, but she's also been fighting for women's rights in the Renaissance. The troupe and Nigel find out that Nostradamus is a soothsayer, and are horrified. And it went nowhere. SOMETHING ROTTEN! Nick tells him that he shouldn't pursue her because she is a Puritan. Meanwhile, the troupe is rehearsing "Omelette: The Musical" ("It's Eggs!"). I haven't seen the show, but the writer is describing "pansy humor" that would have been common in the 1930s or 1970s (the intervening years being ones in which homosexuality was hardly mentioned at all). The Puritans leave and Nick tells Nigel what the soothsayer said, but neglects to tell him that it was not Nick's own idea. 1 39. follows the tale of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in England's theatre scene and compete with the astronomical success of their contemporary and The Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Lord Clapham leaves, telling the brothers he is stopping their funds unless they have another play by the next morning. When some of the actors become suspicious of Nostradamus and why he is at their theatre, Nick lies and says that Nostradamus is an actor. . January 14-29, 2023 Here's another character breakdown for one of the funniest shows on Broadway, (Also when I type Something Rotten! The couple sets out to prove Brother Jeremiah and Nick wrong because they're tired of "the feuding family plot" and they want to be together. Something Rotten! It was nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and won one (Christian Borle as Best Featured Actor in a Musical). Study Guide is a musical comedy with a book by John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. He asks Nostradamus what Shakespeare's new hit is going to be. Will Nigel be able to convince Nick and Brother Jeremiah to let him be with Portia all while helping Nick write a hit show? :snowflake: Snowy Sunny :snowflake: [mini Hiatus]. He tries to keep Portia away from Nigel, but it usually doesn't work. In a desperate attempt to out-Bard the Bard, Nick consults with a soothsayer, who informs him that the future of theatre involves acting, singing, and dancing -- sometimes all at once! Nigel goes into the theatre the next day and tells Nick about his new improvements. DEAR WORLD, Photos: Julie Andrews, Billy Porter & More Gather to Honor Carol Burnett, Disneys HERCULES - Reviews & News Thread, Groban & Ashford in SWEENEY TODD On Broadway - P/reviews & News Thread. Nick becomes desperate as his producer is threatening to stop giving the brothers money for their show and Nick's landlord is threatening to make him pay double for his property unless he puts him in his show, which he can do because he is Jewish (this is a joke throughout the show I'll get to it later). Kurt Hornbacker haterobics said: "Something sucking a lot doesn't sound negative to the gays. Shylock expresses a desire to help fund the troupe, but Nick rejects him as it is illegal to employ a Jew. Nigel is not very happy with "Omelette" and claims that it doesn't feel right. Despite Nick's arguments, Bea goes out to do jobs that Nick claims are for men. Someone said to me "it's a show for 'Kathy Griffin's gays.'" Renaissance regular Leah Gesouras is back as Beatrice, Nick's wife. Citrino has recently been working on a cruise ship. Please come to the Dance Callback warm and ready to dance. David Tennant, 2009; Maxine Peake, 2014; . Brother Jeremiah. After unsuccessfully trying to create the first musical about the Black Death, Nick goes back to Nostradamus asking what Shakespeare's greatest hit will be. They then meet up and discuss their love of poetry (I Love the Way). Leah Gum That's the goal of playwriting brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are in the shadow of the rock star of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. But the play is also making fun of him for being so homophobic. "He wasn't even sure that I was on land," Citrino said with a laugh. She dresses up as a man to save the day. . Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten! A militant Puritan, and the father of Portia, a 10 or visit beckcenter.org. The news outrages Nick, as Shakespeare has already done Richard III, and the thought of going backwards seems absurd to him. The show is so silly it's really hard to take anything seriously or be offended by its content. That's it. "My character does not like Shakespeare," he said of Nick. Read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to get more information and learn how to set up your preferences. That's a separate question. However, he dislikes the work that goes into keeping him famous. Lord Clapham, a patron who trusts the brothers and raises funds for their troupe, enters to announce that Shakespeare is doing "Richard II". The 2015 Original Broadway cast recording, and the piano-vocal selections "I'm very grateful for the opportunity. An excited Shakespeare decides to disguise himself as "Toby Belch" and audition for the brothers' troupe in order to steal the play. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell, SOMETHING ROTTEN! Nick and Nigel Bottom are two brothers who run a failing theatre troupe in the year 1590. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRO MEMBERS. It was directed by Sean Foley and Jim Arnold and choreographed by Carrie-Ann Ingrouille.[11]. Portia sneaks out to see him, and they discover more about their similarities, especially in the way they both love poetry ("I Love the Way"). Full Synopsis Act One The musical opens with "The Minstrel" welcoming the audience to the European Renaissance ("Welcome to the Renaissance"). I thought the humor very funny. He puts up no fight? One part Shakespeare in Loveand three parts The Producers, Something Rotten!sends up Bardolatry, musicals, and political theater with lots of great puns along the way. "She is a sheltered young woman who connects with her love interest over anything art (related)," Woodill said. Something Rotten! She is very supportive of their careers, but she also knows that they need money to support themselves. Shop Broadway Souvenirs in BroadwayWorld's Theatre Shop! That continues to be how I live," Chaviano said. Welcome to the Renaissance, where the Black Plague has ceded power to the Puritans, farthingales and codpieces are the latest fashion trend, and the biggest celebrity in England is a playwright named William Shakespeare. A hit on Broadway, "Something Rotten" was nominated for 10 Tony Awards. The Minstrel welcomes the audience back and tells them of the stresses that the Bottom brothers and Shakespeare face ("Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)"). He is completely disapproving of Portia's relationship with Nigel. 23 March 2015, Broadway first preview . Nick cannot stand Shakespeare at all, thus resulting in the song "God, I Hate Shakespeare." Something Rotten! Garry Shandling. "She will do anything to help her husband make coin. Melissa Felps (Portia), Jeffrey Izquierdo-Malon (Nostradamus), Jason Blackburn (Brother Jeremiah), Robert Doyle (Shylock/Lord Claphon), Chris Moore (Minstrel), and Mara Bollini, Kent Coiffel, Brittany Hester, Ian McCreary, Maggie Nold . Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." It was illegal at that time to hire a Jew for much, so when Nick is forced to hire him, he has to watch out or he could be hanged, Shakespeare's Valet: literally how it sounds. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). What we felt at SOMETHING ROTTEN didn't rise to the level of being offended per . Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. For tickets, $12 to $34, call 216-521-2540, ext. The story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who . Shylock expresses a desire to help fund the troupe, but Nick rejects him as it is illegal to employ a Jew. NOSTRADAMUS - pg 24 ("Did I hear a need - pg 27, A Musical, mm. Shakespeare's Richard II was obviously a hit compared to Nick's. They're looking to be offended, not reacting to a specific offense. Chaviano will be making his Renaissance debut. Osvaldo Mora They are rehearsing for their upcoming play "Richard II", while William Shakespeare (referred to as "the Bard") is opening Romeo and Juliet. [10], The musical played at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October 2021. Join the StageAgent community Nigel Bottom: Austin Andrade The Puritans leave and Nick tells Nigel what the soothsayer said, but neglects to tell him that it was not Nick's own idea. Shylock: Elmer Strasser, Peter Quince: Osvaldo Mora (u/s Nigel) Nigel wants to do "The Brothers from Cornwall", the story of the two brothers' lives, but Nick vetoes saying it has to be bigger, and decides to do a play about theBlack Death. However, all of the good jobs are given to men, so she disguises herself as one and acts as one for as long as possible. Producer: Kathleen Breedveld What: "Something Rotten". Shylock: Jewish landlord/tax collector who loves theater more than anything. Will is also shown to be very persuasive, especially when it comes to gullible fans. The Bechdel Test is a measure of women's representation in media. Nostradamus tells him that Omelette will be the next big thing this leading Nick to trying to write Omelette the Musical. Nick's younger brother. Makena Mueller (u/s Bea) Nostradamus: Glen Riggs Nick hears about the opening of Shakespeare's new masterpiece,Hamlet, to which Nostradamus replies "I was this close". Have to take the rest of this piece with a grain of salt now. Towards the end of the number, Shakespeare reveals himself and sues the brothers. . Producer: Kathleen Breedveld Director: Brian Olkowski Music Director: Jed da Roza Choreographer: Christina Lazo Choreographer: Meghan Hornbacker have been canceled. Video: Go Inside Rehearsal for CAMELOT on Broadway. Another positive of "Something Rotten," Woodill said, is the tap dancing. Something Rotten! Featuring show-stopping song and dance, a wacky cast of characters, and gut-busting comedy, Something Rotten! For that type of person who looks to be outraged by anything I suppose they would have a conniption over aspects of Something Rotten!, but really it's harmless. In Something Rotten!, Shakespeare is portrayed as a rock star, and all of his sonnets are performed as rock songs during the song Will Power. is a historical fiction, musical comedy. Nick asks him what the next big thing in theatre will be, and Nostradamus says that it will be "a musical", a play where "an actor is saying his lines, and out of nowhere he just starts singing". Tom Farris, Amanda Ross Set in Renaissance England, it's a play about playwrights, . Hamilton22 said: "Something Rotten sucked so much. The team then joined with Casey Nicholaw, who brought in several of the actors, resulting in the workshop in 2014. . Because two of the three women are named, the musical passes the Bechdel Test thanks to this scene alone. After bumping into Portia, the daughter of Brother Jeremiah, he instantly falls in love with her, and the feelings are mutual with her. Something Rotten! (Nick, Nigel, Troupe), Shakespeare- SHAKESPEARE - bottom of pg 58 - 60, DANCE/SINGING CALLBACKS - Monday November 14th, CALLBACKS FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15TH WILL BE POSTED AFTER MONDAY'S CALLBACKS. They are saving for a better life, and when Nick tries to open the Money Box, Bea smacks his hand away. Will Portia be able to convince her father that she should be with Nigel or will her efforts be in vain? "Something Rotten!" - Ensemble "Make an Omelette" - Nick, Company "To Thine Own Self (Reprise)" - Nick "Finale" - Company Which of these audition songs for Something Rotten did you choose? Bea, Nick's wife, tells them the events of her day and how she acquired their dinner as she serves it. Nico Jaochico "It's a fun time the whole way through," Citrino said. (Brother Jeremiah), Catherine Brunnell (Portia/understudy), Christian Borle (Shakespeare), Brian D'Arcy James (Nick Bottom/final), John Cariani (Nigel Bottom), David Hibbard (Francis Flute/eyepatch man), Matt Wall (Peter Quince/understudy), Brian Ogilvie (Tom Snout), Brian Shepard . [8], A South Korean production in Korean was scheduled to run from 7 August 2020 to 18 October 2020 at the Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater. They are saving for a better life, and when Nick tries to open the Money Box, Bea smacks his hand away. New York, NY, Linda Ray The most interesting Hamlets: Laurence Olivier, 1948; John Gielgud, 1951; I would use the term "gay panic humor" to mean jokes about how nervous--or "panicked"--homosexuality makes straight men. Breakdown: Bea Bottom is the wife of Nigel Bottom who is the "feminist of the Renaissance" if that makes sense. Brother Jeremiah interrupts the lovers and takes Portia away to be imprisoned in a tower for disobeying. Director Scott Miller's blog, "The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre" about New Line's creative process. Please come prepared to learn one group number. Gain full access to show guides, character breakdowns, auditions, monologues and more! (22) March 23rd 2015, Broadway Unknown ~ MP3, untracked . Later, Nick meets Nigel on the street. He heard about "Something Rotten" from a friend, who raved about the Ren experience. When: 8 p.m. Saturday and March 11, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and March 12, Where: Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Avenue West. Jan 14, 21, 28 at 8:00 PM Will Bea be able to support herself and the Bottom Brothers? was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Tony award nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.. Shakespeare shows the stress he faces while trying to write hits and manage his fame ("Hard to Be the Bard"). Nigel wants to do "The Brothers from Cornwall", the story of the two brothers' lives, but Nick vetoes saying it has to be bigger, and decides to do a play about the Black Death. He's not very confident, as shown when he doesn't think his work is very good despite the outstanding quality of his writing. Rachelle King [5], The show also launched a Non-Equity national tour beginning on September 19, 2018 at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia. Later, Nigel runs into Bea, who explains to him that they should still trust Nick because they can always fall on him if they need him ("Right Hand Man" (Reprise)). But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz. Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick. The tour starred Matthew Janisse (Nick Bottom), Matthew Baker (Shakespeare), and Richard Spitaletta (Nigel Bottom) and was staged by Steve Bebout (associate director of the original Broadway production). The character who is upset about the burgeoning relationship is Brother Jeremiah, played by Robert Hardin-Leeth. The show is a musical comedy set in 1595. Nigel is not very happy with "Omelette" and claims that it doesn't feel right. I didn't get it, but I almost do. (he pauses a moment, realizing what he said) Good day, sir. Cast breakdown for Something Rotten! If you love comedy combined with some of the most hilarious songs and dances you've ever seen, then 'Something Rotten' is the perfect show to get you out of the winter doldrums.". Nick Bottom: Matt Skinner The cast of the Bradford High School production of Something Rotten! At this point in the show however, you have no idea who she is or what her role in the show is. They get into a huge argument and Shakespeare tries to take advantage of their squabble to get his hit ("To Thine Own Self").