Playhouse Square’s production of ‘Something Rotten’ pays a hilarious homage to Broadway’s greatest h
The big question this season has been “Can the Key Bank Broadway production of Something Rotten live up to its hype?” This show has been billed as “Broadway’s Hilarious New Smash” and “has the GREATEST musical theater homage of showstoppers jam-packed with all your favorites” (both according to the pre-show press releases). These are strong words indeed.
Rest assured that every word is true. This show is everything the pre-publicity says about it and more. Let’s start with the music. Each and every song in the show can be deemed a “showstopper” with catchy lyrics and great music all performed by a highly energetic cast. There are no “throwaway” songs in this bunch. There are countless references to famous Broadway hits as well as Shakespearean quotes (and mis-quotes) that keeps the audience constantly on their toes and laughing.
The costuming is sumptuous. The lighting and sound are extraordinary (even for Connor Palace standards). Most important, the acting and comedy is spot on the mark. There is one laugh-out-loud moment after another throughout the show.
It is Elizabethan England and Shakespeare, known simply as “The Bard” (Adam Pascal), is the rock god of his time. People flock to his Globe Theatre and open recitations in the park. Hidden in the shadow of the Bard’s fame are two brothers, Nick (Rob McClure) and Nigel (Josh Grisetti) Bottom whose company of actors gave Shakespeare his start in theater. Nick is the brains of the outfit while Nigel the soul.
Things are not going well for the two frustrated thespians. They are on the verge of losing their patronage in the form of Lord Clapham (Joel Newsome). The local Puritan Magistrate (Scott Cote) is threatening to close their theater down and Nigel is in deep debt to Shylock (Jeff Brooks) the local Jewish money lender. They need to come up with a new next big thing that will have the audience and patrons beating down the doors of their theater.
In desperation, Nick uses the last of his and his wife’s savings to seek the help of a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus (Blake Hammond) who tells him “Muusssicals” will indeed be the next big thing in theater. Nick rushes back to the theater and with Nigel’s help they write “The Black Death” which has their patron saying bye-bye.
Returning to Nostradamus for more advice, Nick asks soothsayer what the next great Shakespearean play will be so that they can beat their rival to the punch. In a semi-trance, Nostradamus begins muttering a series of seemingly connected words…omelette…danish…ham…egg…to which Nick sees a breakfast theme thus “Omelette, The Musical” is born with Shylock as their illegal investor.
Things rapidly go downhill from there as Nigel falls in love with Portia (Autumn Hurlbert) who is the daughter of the Puritan leader, Nigel’s wife disguises herself as a man to find work, Shakespeare is stealing Nigel’s best lines, creditors are closing in and Nigel hates the new musical and quits. Needless to say in order to find out about the ending you will have to attend a performance.
What makes this show so great is the high energy found throughout the performance. Bob McClure as Nick Bottom is perfect as put upon leader of an obscure theatrical troupe who is well meaning but lacking wisdom. Josh Grisetti as Nigel brings a softness to his role as poet who sees life through softly clouded glasses. The true comedy load is carried equally by Scott Cote as Brother Jeremiah and Blake Hammond as Thomas Nostradamus. Their small facial tics and body gestures along with their line delivery are an absolute hoot. Autumn Hurlbert as Portia is the perfect match as Nigel’s love interest and her lilting laugh is enough to get the audience laughing also. Jeff Brooks as Shylock makes excellent work of Jewish slang adding to the hilarity. Adam Pascal as Shakespeare brings all the sass and brass needed for the part. Rounding out the cast of principals is Maggie Lakis as Nick’s wife Bea who is the hardest working actor on stage with a slew of costume changes along with dialog.
While there are some very mild sexual references and a brief bit of profanity for the most part the play is suitable for families with children age 16 and older.
Everything you have heard about this show is true. It is a fast pace, highly energetic, extraordinarily funny huge hit that everyone will want to see. Half of the fun is discovering all of the Broadway references sprinkled throughout the show. You are guaranteed to leave the theater laughing.
Something Rotten will be on stage in the Connor Palace through May 14, 2017. Tickets may be purchased by calling (216) 241-6000, by going online at http://www.playhousesquare.com or by stopping by the Playhouse Square Box Office located in the outer lobby of the State Theatre.
