Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN Blows the Roof Off the Ahmanson

Something Rotten/book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell/music & lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick/directed & choreographed by Casey Nicholaw/ music supervisor: Phil Reno/Ahmanson Theatre/through December 31

What if someone told you you get to see Pippin, The Producers, Book of Mormon and other great musicals all together in one show? Yes, Something Rotten which goes back in time to 16th century Renaissance, incorporates elements of all the great contemporary musicals under one roof. Now at the Ahmanson, Something Rotten is clever and a cure for what ails you, so don't miss it through December 31!

The era is Shakespeare (Adam Pascal) who is viewed as the most popular writer of his time, making brothers Nick snd Nigel Nottom (Rob McClure and Josh Grisetti respectively) terribly jealous. They are writers and want to surpass the Bard's success. Nick hires Nostradamus (Blake Hammond) to forsee the future and find out what Shakesperean triumphs will prevail. He comes up with Omelette and persuades Bottom that musicals are the rage of the future. One of the funniest lines is Nick's dumbfounded response, "So- an actor is saying his lines and then, out of nowhere, he just starts singing!?" Among theatre purists musicals have always been looked down upon as the lowest of art forms. Nostradamus's appeal for entertainment is of course followed by a bevy of chorus tappers and an imagined scene from a musical portraying "The Black Death". Hilarious!

There is rivalry between the brothers as Nick wants to produce Omelette: The Musical and Nigel, a poet, feels the need to stay true to himself and his art. Nick is married to Bea (Maggie Lakis); they are poor, so she insists on going out to work in the disguise of a man, until womens' rights are recognized. Naive as she is, she feels it will be soon as there's already a woman on the throne. Nigel falls in love with a Puritan girl Portia (Autumn Hurlbert), who eggs him on to pursue his life as a poet. Portia's father Brother Jeremiah (Scott Cote) decries all theatre people as blasphemous and sinners against God. Of course, he's a closet homosexual and many of the most raunchy glances and jokes arise with his presence onstage.

And what about Shakespeare? The curiosity in his work causes him to adopt a disguise and attend the brothers' production meetings as Sir Toby Belch. Here's where book writers Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell cleverly insert the whole idea of plagiarism, as Shakespeare was often accused of stealing other writers' plots and poetry.

Under director Casey Nicholaw's expert guidance - most famous for Book of Mormon - the entire ensemble are consistently superb, showing triple threat qualities. Nick Rashad Burrroughs is the Minstrel, opening both Acts One and Two, reminding one of a medieval Ben Vereen.in Pippin, with just the right amount of sass and pizzazz. McClure and Grisetti are equally outstanding as the Bottoms. Hammond steals every scene he's in as Nostradamus, faking a little vocal trance-like utterance that brings the house down. Lakis as Bea has a powerhouse voice and is delightful, assuming many male disguises. Hurlbert is a real beauty as Portia, adding wonderful touches of sweet sincerity, and Cote as the Puritanical father makes a delightfully campy villain. Pascal as Shalespeare is also a scene stealer with his rockin' "Will Power" and with his very presence, whether in disguise or not. He is an Elvis-like idol. "It's hard to be the Bard", he quips. I couldn't help but think of Mel Brooks' "It's good to be the King!"Another standout is Jeff Brooks as the Yiddisha Shylock. Kudos to the entire large cast for bringing such joy to the entire proceedings through their singing, dancing and great comedic flair.

The creative team are all wonderful as well, including set designer Scott Pask and costume designer Gregg Barnes for his coloful period clothing for one and all. Praise as well to lighting designer Jeff Croiter and sound designer Peter Hylenski. Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick have created some ingenious songs like "Welcome to the Renaissance", "God, I hate Shakespeare", "To Thine Own Self", and "Bottom's Going to Be On Top" among others. They're buoyant and fun throughout.

Go see this incredible parody Something Rotten! It's nonstop entertainment and oh so cleverly constructed, poking fun at just about every musical ever written. Its similarity to The Producers only enhances its familiarity for young audiences and makes them cheer for more.

www.centertheatregroup.com

(photo credit: Jeremy Daniel)

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