Review: Scoot over, Shakespeare! Make room for the Musical! SOMETHING ROTTEN opens at Repertory Company Theatre!

SOMETHING ROTTEN

Music and  Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell
Directed by Debra Carter
Musical Direction by Byron Holder
Repertory Company Theatre, Richardson

Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes including 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
ASL Performances: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performances: Yes
Production Sound Level: Comfortable
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: N/A

Reviewed by Glynda Welch

Nick Bottom (Phillip Slay) hates William Shakespeare (Jakob Schlegel). Brother Nigel Bottom (Timothy Crisp) idolizes the bard. Most of 1590s England agrees with Nigel, showering accolades and adulation upon the less-than-humble playwright. The Bottom Brothers must create a new play in order to claw their way out of poverty. With a little help from Thomas Nostradamus (Jack Agnew) they envision an entirely new form of theatrical art – a musical. If it sounds convoluted that’s because it is. It’s also the most delightfully topsy-turvy origin story for musical theatre around. If you have every loved any musical Something Rotten is ready for you at Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson. 

Director Debra Carter, Music Director Byron Holder and Choreographer Chloe Parrish have perfectly blended their three disciplines into a magical vehicle for a cast full of theatrical triple threats and created a feast for audience senses. Lighting, sound, set, and costumes all are folded in seamlessly. Debra Carter’s set adapts to different locations with minimal changes that seem to appear instantaneously. Josh Hensley’s lighting design pulled audience attention to the action thanks to its implementation by Board Operator Hawana Townsley and Spotlight Operators Hannah Landers and Emma Mayes. Costume Designer Megan A. Liles fills the stage with a rich tapestry of colors and fabrics.

Brandon Edwards is the minstrel who opens the show with “Welcome to the Renaissance,” setting the tone for the joyous romp that is Something Rotten. Bea Bottom (Molly Grace Robinson) wants to be husband Nick’s “Right Hand Man” despite his inability to realize he needs her help. Portia (Brooke Bishop) catches the eye of Nigel (Crisp) but unfortunately can’t escape her father’s watchful eye. Brother Jeremiah (Alex Bigus) fights to protect his fellow Puritans from exposure to the sins of theatre. Bishop and Crisp delight the audience in their duet “I Love the Way.” Slay and Crisp (Bottom Brothers) introduce themselves with “God I Hate Shakespeare” tease us with their new concept in “A Musical,” and predict “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top.” Schlegel (Will Shakespeare) brings down the house on and off-stage with “Will Power” and “Hard to be the Bard.”

Whether dancing or singing, the ensemble is the heart of this production. Heath Bromley, Chelsea Catalano, Mike Egan, Michael Hammer, Kelsey McFarland, Jarrod McRae, Francine Parcero, Kelly Schaaf, Kristi Lee Tomenga, Scott Volmer, and Nelson Wilson provide the heartbeat. Extra Kudos to M.D. Christian (Ensemble and Stage Manager), Jacob Waters (Assistant Director and Ensemble,) and Megan A. Liles (Costume and Designer Ensemble) whose contributions were made on and off stage. 

Something Rotten premiered on Broadway in 2015, so many area theatre patrons may not yet have had the opportunity to fall in love with this show. This excellent production is a great introduction to Something Rotten, which continues through August 3 rd at the Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit, Richardson. Tickets are available online at: www.rcttheatre.com or through the box office at 972.690.5029. 

Experience Live Theater!

Glynda Welch