Synopsis
Set in the 1590s, 'Something Rotten!' follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two playwrights struggling to make a name for themselves in the shadow of the Renaissance rock star William Shakespeare. Desperate for a hit, Nick consults a soothsayer who predicts that the next big thing in theatre will be musicals. With this bizarre idea in mind, the brothers set out to write the world's first musical, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures. As they attempt to outshine Shakespeare, they grapple with creative differences, romantic entanglements, and the challenges of breaking new ground in the theatre world. Ultimately, the Bottom brothers learn valuable lessons about family, ambition, and the true meaning of success.
Characters
- Nick Bottom (lead)
- Nigel Bottom (lead)
- William Shakespeare (lead)
- Bea Bottom (supporting)
- Portia (supporting)
- Brother Jeremiah (supporting)
- Nostradamus (supporting)
- Shylock (supporting)
- Lord Clapham (featured_ensemble)
- Tom Snout (ensemble)
Musical Numbers
- Welcome to the Renaissance
- God, I Hate Shakespeare
- Right Hand Man
- A Musical
- The Black Death
- I Love the Way
- Will Power
- Bottom's Gonna Be on Top
- Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)
- Hard to Be the Bard