Something Rotten

Something Rotten is playing at the St. James Theatre located at 246 West 46th Street. The show runs two hours thirty minutes with one intermission. It opened on April 22, 2015 and is an open ended show.

The show was nominated for ten 2015 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Actor (Brian d’Archy James), Best Feature Actor (Christian Borle and Brad Oscar), Best Director (Casey Nicholaw), Best Choreographer (Casey Nicholaw), Best Book of a Musical (Karry Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell), Best Score (Karey Kirkpatrick & Wayne Kirkpatrick), Best Orchestration (Larry Hochman) and Best Costume Design (Gregg Barnes). Christian Borle was the only winner.

Casey is the director and choreographer. He was nominated for three Tony Awards for The Book of Mormons (2011), The Drowsy Chaperone and Monty Python’s Spamalot (Chorography) in 2006.

Scott Pask is the scenic designer. He won three Tony Awards for The Book of Mormons (2011), The Coast of Utopia (2007) and The Pillow Man (2005). Scott was nominated for a Tony Award for Pal Joey (2009).

Greg Barnes is the costume designer. He won two Tony Awards for Follies (2011) and The Drowsy Chaperone (2006).

Christian Borle won two Tony Awards for Something Rotten (2015) and Peter and the Star Catcher (2011) and was nominated for a Tony Award for Legally Blonde (2007).

Brian d’Arcy James was nominated for three Tony Awards for Something Rotten (2015), Shrek the Musical (2008) and Sweet Smell of Success (2002).

John Cariani was nominated for a Tony Award for the revival of Fiddler on The Roof (2004).

Brad Oscar was nominated for two Tony Awards for Something Rotten (2015) and Jekyll & Hyde (1997).

Brooks Ashmanskas was nominated for a Tony Award for Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (2006).

The time is 1595, South London.

A minstrel (Michael James Scott) scrolls across the stage singing welcome to the Renaissance.

The Bottom brothers Nick (Brian d’Arcy James) and Nigel (John Cariani) have an acting troupe, which is not doing well. Lord Clapham (Peter Barlett) is about to remove his finical support.

There is competition from William Shakespeare (Christian Borle). He is the toast of the town. The bard acted in their troop but was fired for bad acting.

Nick goes to Nostradamus (Brad Oscar) who can read into the future. He asks him if he can see what Shakespeare’s most famous play will be. Nostradamus say he sees something with an egg. He also sees that the future shows will have singing and dancing. Nick comes up with a title omelet and asks his brother to write the story.

Nigel is a poet and falls for a Puritan Portia (Kate Reinder). Portia loves his poetry and him. Her father Brother Jeremiah (Brooks Ashmanskas) is against their relationship.

Short on funds Nicks wife Bea (Heidi Blickenstaff) finds work dressed as a man.

In the meantime the Shakespeare has writers block. He decides to dress incognito to see what the Bottom brothers are doing. They think he is an actor and hire him.

The story revolves Shakespeare and the Bottom Brothers.

There are times when a sentence or part of a tune is used from a famous show.

What it is and what takes place, you’re going to have to see this hilarious musical.

This is a delightful show, it is fun and well done. You can see why it was nominated for so many 2015 Tony Award nominations.

Brian d’Arcy James, Christian Borle and John Cariani approach their roles in a different way. They are captivating and seem to enjoy what they are doing. Too bad Christian Borle was the only one to get a Tony. I would have given Brian the award too!

Heidi Blickenstaff, Kate Reinder, Brad Oscar and Brooks Ashmanskas all get a thumb for an outstanding job.

You don’t have to like Shakespeare to enjoy this funny show.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for recent photos. Click on recent photos for this and other shows.