VIDEO: Celebrate World Poetry Day With SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Rock Star Bard, Christian Borle

"By paying tribute to the men and women whose only instrument is free speech, who imagine and act, UNESCO recognizes in poetry its value as a symbol of the human spirit's creativity. By giving form and words to that which has none - such as the unfathomable beauty that surrounds us, the immense suffering and misery of the world - poetry contributes to the expansion of our common humanity, helping to increase its strength, solidarity and self-awareness." -- Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

It was 1999 when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization chose to annually observe World Poetry Day on March 21st, in an effort to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.

The day is meant to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, and to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media, so that the art of poetry will no longer be considered an outdated form of art, but one which enables society as a whole to regain and assert its identity.

Noble goals, indeed, but nevertheless, even the highest of art forms aren't above some affectionate ribbing every now and then.

Eight times a week, SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Christian Borle, offers a hilariously sexy spoof of William Shakespeare, portraying the English language's most famous poet as a narcissistic rock star who thrills at the adulation of his fans.

Watch his send hearts aflutter with a selection from one of his biggest hits.

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 (d'Arcy James) and Nigel Bottom (Cariani) are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as "The Bard" (Borle). 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!

SOMETHING ROTTEN! currently stars three-time Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek, Spotlight), two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher), Tony Award nominee John Cariani (Fiddler on the Roof), Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), two-time Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Kate Reinders(Wicked), David Beach (It's Only a Play, Fish in the Dark, Mamma Mia!), Edward Hibbert (It Shoulda Been You, The Drowsy Chaperone, "Frasier"), Gerry Vichi (The Drowsy Chaperone) and André Ward (Rock of Ages, Xanadu).

SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s ensemble features Matt Allen (Honeymoon in Vegas, The Wedding Singer), Elizabeth Earley (Mary Poppins tour), Eric Giancola (The Book of Mormon), David Hibbard (Elf), Jenny Hill (Spamalot),Courtney Iventosch (Wicked tour), Aaron Kaburick (Motown The Musical), Tari Kelly (Anything Goes), Austin Lesch (Violet),Beth Johnson Nicely (Bullets Over Broadway), Aleks Pevec (Aladdin), Angie Schworer (Big Fish), Eric Sciotto (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Brian Shepard (Young Frankenstein), Brendon Stimson (Honeymoon in Vegas, Newsies),Chelsea Morgan Stock (Sister Act), Ryan VanDenBoom (Annie), Matt Wall (Annie), Marisha Wallace (Aladdin), andBud Weber (Aladdin).

The award-winning design team of Broadway veterans includes Scott Pask (scenic design), Gregg Barnes (costume design), Jeff Croiter (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design), Josh Marquette (hair design), Phil Reno (music direction / conductor), Glen Kelly (arrangements), Larry Hochman (orchestrations) and casting by Telsey + Company/Bethany Knox, CSA.