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
Something Rotten! is a musical comedy idea that began with brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick in the 1990s. They joined forces with John O’Farrell to write several songs, which were presented to producer Kevin McCollum in 2010. The team joined forces with prominent theater director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw to do a workshop of the show in 2014.
The show was due to have a pre-Broadway tryout at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington in April 2015, but when a Broadway theater
to read the context for Something Rotten! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
The musical opens on the streets of London with Minstrel welcoming the audience to the Renaissance (“Welcome to the Renaissance”). We meet Nick and Nigel Bottom, struggling playwright brothers who are trying to outshine the wildly popular playwright William Shakespeare, now a rockstar-like figure. The Bottom brothers are rehearsing their upcoming play, Richard II, when Lord Clapham, a patron of the troupe, announces that Shakespeare is doing his own Richard II. Nick is
to read the plot for Something Rotten! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
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 person, thing, or idea that exists out of its time in history, especially one that happened or existed later than the period being shown or discussed.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A cultural and intellectual movement in England from the late 15th to the early 17th century, characterized by a flourishing of literary and musical arts, particularly during the Elizabethan era.
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.
Parody is a comedic imitation of a style, genre, or work that exaggerates its features for humorous or satirical effect. In theatre, it playfully mocks conventions, characters, or cultural icons while still relying on audience recognition of the original. Parody can both celebrate and critique its subject, often blurring the line between homage and ridicule.
A device in which characters perform a secondary play, often revealing truths or creating meta-theatrical commentary.
The main character of a play or story, typically the one whose journey or conflict drives the plot. The protagonist often experiences growth or change.
A dramatic style focused on dreamlike imagery and illogical scenes to explore the subconscious or challenge realism.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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