Overview
Synopsis
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. In the midst of all this excitement, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are trying to keep their acting company afloat. 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! As the Bottom brothers strive to write the world’s very first “musical”, they find themselves caught in a bitter battle with the Bard and the play's the thing. Something Rotten! is a hysterical, joyous celebration of everything you love about Broadway.
Show Information
- Book
- John O'Farrell , Karey Kirkpatrick
- Music
- Karey Kirkpatrick , Wayne Kirkpatrick
- Lyrics
- Karey Kirkpatrick , Wayne Kirkpatrick
- Conceived By
- Karey Kirkpatrick , Wayne Kirkpatrick
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2014
- Genres
- Comedy, Parody, Farce, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
- Time & Place
- london, england, 1590s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- *Welcome to the Renaissance - Minstrel and Company
- God, I Hate Shakespeare - Nick, Nigel, and The Troupe
- Right Hand Man - Bea and Nick
- God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise) - Nick
- *A Musical - Nostradamus, Nick, and Company
- The Black Death - The Troupe
- I Love the Way - Portia and Nigel
- Will Power - Shakespeare and Company
- Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top - Nick and Company
Act Two
- Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise) - Minstrel and Company
- Hard to Be the Bard - Shakespeare and Company
- It’s Eggs! - Nick and The Troupe
- We See the Light - Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, and Company
- To Thine Own Self - Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare, and The Troupe
- Right Hand Man (Reprise) - Bea
- Something Rotten! / Make an Omelette - Nick and Company
- To Thine Own Self (Reprise) - Nick
- Finale - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A form of self-referential drama where the play draws attention to its own theatricality. This device challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief and is used in Epic Theatre and postmodern works.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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