Hello Beautiful People,
If you haven’t seen Something Rotten yet, RUN, don’t walk to the St. James Theatre.
Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, this show is sure to make musical theatre history.
Here’s the official blurb:
From the director of Aladdin and co-director of The Book of Mormon – and the producer of Avenue Q and In the Heights – comes something original… something fresh… Something Rotten!, a world-premiere musical comedy about the musical comedy that started it all.
Welcome to the ‘90s — the 1590s — long before the dawn of premium tickets, star casting and reminders to turn off your cell phones. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first MUSICAL! But amidst the scandalous excitement of Opening Night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self… and all that jazz.
With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, Something Rotten! is an uproarious dose of pure Broadway fun and an irresistible ode to musicals — those dazzling creations that entertain us, inspire us and remind us that everything’s better with an exclamation point!
Here’s what I’ll say –
It is by far one of the most clever pieces of theatre I have ever seen. (And let’s be honest, I see quite a bit of theatre.)
The rumors about audiences giving standing ovations before the Act I is even over is absolutely true – it happened when I was there. It happened when friends of mine were there on different evenings, and it’s because the show is simple so fantastic you must leap to your feet before you know the end of the story.
Brian D’Arcy James is pure magic onstage. Magic. It’s no secret that he’s a brilliant actor and singer, but there’s an element to his performance that’s just magnetic. It’s indescribable. If you could bottle it up and sell it, you’d have every BFA student in the country yanking it off of the shelves.
Brian D’Arcy James and Christian Borle onstage together is almost too much for the human brain to handle – it’s an attack on the senses in the best way possible.
The lyrics and book are chock full of jokes and an abundance of witty humor. The witty banter is so clever that I’d hate to even begin talking about my favorite parts, for fear of spoiling all the fun.
But I will say this – should you be a fan of theatre, Shakespeare, classic literature, and the great American musical – this show is for you. You’ll laugh until your stomach muscles hurt.
The show schedule for Something Rotten can be found here.
Enjoy!
Live, Love, Learn,