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Something Rotten! 2015 - Articles Page 1.8

Run Time:
Two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 12+
Opened: April 22, 2015
Closing: January 08, 2017

Something Rotten! - 2015 Broadway History , Info & More


St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY

The time is Renaissance England, where two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, are desperate to write a hit play. But how can they when the competition is the biggest star of the era, everyone's favorite bard: William Shakespeare? So they seek out the soothsayer Nostradamus. But not the Nostradamus, his nephew Thomas, who gives our heroes a completely original idea from the future - write a play with songs. And thus, the first ever musical is born. But not without much mayhem, madness, and musical mishaps. There is indeed Something Rotten! - and it will have audiences rolling in the aisles.


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PREVIEW Something Rotten! - 2015 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Something Rotten!

It's the Bottoms on Top in Easygoing Comedy 'Something Rotten!'
9 / 10

'Rotten!' delivers the same sort of accessible and over-the-top laughs as 'Mormon'...A generous sampling of Shakespearean conventions helps elevate an otherwise-thin and double entendre-laden plot. While Borle's role is flashier, it's d'Arcy James...who does the heavy-lifting. He's the closest thing 'Something Rotten!' has to a serious character...Tony-winner Borle...is clearly beside himself with glee at the chance to play the preening rock-star scribe who throws parties in the park...'Rotten!' paints musical theater culture in the same broad strokes that the 'The Book of Mormon' used to satirize religion -- everyone gets to be in on the joke. This new musical makes us do just enough work that we feel satisfied for picking up on them. Go for the production numbers and the big-hearted turns from the leads, whose enthusiasm ultimately proves even more infectious than the plague.

Something Rotten! review – Shakespeare musical is comfortable but not clever
4 / 10

Something Rotten! goes over easy. Too easy. The songs are catchy, but quickly digested (though the opening number Welcome to the Renaissance lodges in the head nicely). The book, co-written with John O'Farrell of Spitting Image, and lyrics settle for the undemanding laugh and usually get it. The performers are excellent, of course, with James strutting his song-and-dance stuff and Borle channelling Mick Jagger, or maybe just Harry Styles. Casey Nicholaw directs in his usual pert and perky fashion, and the choreography is reasonably entertaining.

Photo Flash: Will Power! First Look at Will Chase, Rob McClure and More in Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN!
by BWW News Desk - July 28, 2016


Something Rotten!, the ten-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical comedy, recently welcomed four new cast members to Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Joining Rob McClure (Nick Bottom), who boarded the cast last month, are Will Chase (Shakespeare), Catherine Brunell (Portia), Josh Grisetti (Nigel Bottom) and Leslie Kritzer (Bea). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the new company in action below!

VIDEO: Something Fresh at SOMETHING ROTTEN! New Cast Members Take Their First Bows
by Michael Dale - July 19, 2016


The hit musical comedy welcomes four new cast members who took their first bows Monday night.

Welcome to the Renaissance! Meet the New Company of SOMETHING ROTTEN!
by Nicole Rosky - July 19, 2016


Everything is changing at the St. James Theatre! As BroadwayWorld previously announced, the smash hit musical comedy Something Rotten! has recently welcomed a slew of new principal cast members for its second year on Broadway.  The production now stars  Will Chase (Shakespeare), Catherine Brunell (Portia), Josh Grisetti (Nigel Bottom) and Leslie Kritzer (Bea), who were welcomed to the Renaissance yesterday July 18, and Rob McClure (Nick Bottom), who joined the cast just last month. Get to know the new cast below!

Catch SOMETHING ROTTEN's Will Chase in Premiere Performance of 'Will Power'
by Rebecca Russo - July 18, 2016


There's a new Shakespeare in town, as Will Chase took over the role of Something Rotten!'s rock star bard tonight. Check out a clip of Will rocking out to 'Will Power' below:

TWITTER WATCH: SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Christian Borle and Will Chase's Changing Of The Bard
by Michael Dale - July 18, 2016


Christian Borle hands the rock star collar to the new Shakespeare in town, Will Chase.

VIDEO: Final Curtain Call for SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Christian Borle, John Cariani, Heidi Blickenstaff & Kate Reinders
by Robert Diamond - July 17, 2016


Via Jordan Roth on Facebook, we've got a look at the final curtain call for 4 stars of Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN! - Christian Borle, John Cariani, Heidi Blickenstaff & Kate Reinders, who all played their final shows this weekend.

Broadwaysted Welcomes SOMETHING ROTTEN Fashion Icon, Hayley Podschun
by Broadwaysted - July 12, 2016


Beautiful Hayley Podschun stopped by to get Broadwaysted before returning to the Broadway cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN July 18th! Hayley knew the drill: she showed up with her own NEWSIES OBC show tumbler (featuring #FriendOfTheShow Jeremy Jordan) full of bubbles!

INSTAGRAM CHECK: SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Will Chase Rocks Out Elizabethan Style
by Michael Dale - July 10, 2016


The Broadway favorite clowns around a bit while prepping to play the narcissistic bard.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! to Celebrate 500th Performance on Broadway Tomorrow
by Tyler Peterson - June 30, 2016


Something Rotten!, the ten-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical comedy, will celebrate its 500th performance tomorrow, Friday, July 1 at Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

FLASH FRIDAY: SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s New Shakespeare Will Chase in HIGH FIDELITY
by Michael Dale - June 24, 2016


He can play the suave leading man when called upon, but Will Chase is one of Broadway's leading rock star performers.

Where There's a Will Chase There's a Way- SOMETHING ROTTEN! Finds Next Shakespeare!
by Nicole Rosky - June 23, 2016


Broadway's ten-time Tony Award-nominated hit musical comedy Something Rotten! will welcome 'Nashville' star and Tony Award-nominated Broadway favorite Will Chase (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Rent, High Fidelity,The Full Monty) as 'Shakespeare' on Monday, July 18.

Sweet Sorrow Indeed! Christian Borle Departs SOMETHING ROTTEN! July 16th
by Michael Dale - June 22, 2016


No replacement has been announced for the two-time Tony-winner as the rock star William Shakespeare.

Photo Flash: First Look at Rob McClure in Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN!
by Tyler Peterson - June 9, 2016


Broadway's ten-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical comedy Something Rotten! has officially welcomed Tony Award-nominated Broadway favorite Rob McClure to its company as 'Nick Bottom.' Check out a first look at McClure on stage below!

BWW Interview: This Bottom's On Top! - Rob McClure Talks Joining the Cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN
by Caryn Robbins - June 14, 2016


Today, Rob McClure chats exclusively with BWW about joining this hilarious production and explains why he is literally reminded everyday that he has some big shoes to fill!

VIDEO: Rob McClure Leads SOMETHING ROTTEN! Cast in Parody 'Tony Nomination Time'
by Michael Dale - June 7, 2016


The new SOMETHING ROTTEN! star gets to the Bottom of a song honoring the 2016 nominees.

TV: SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Right Hand Man, Heidi Blickenstaff, Sings at Stars in the Alley!
by Nicole Rosky - June 8, 2016


STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, took place just last week in Shubert Alley. Hosted by Tony nominee Sean Hayes and Mo Rocca, Broadway's best once again turned out for the annual performance - including Heidi Blickenstaff and Matt Wall, who performed 'Right Hand Man' from SOMETHING ROTTEN!

VIDEO: SOMETHING ROTTEN's Brian d'Arcy James Bids Classy Farewell During Final Bow
by Caryn Robbins - May 31, 2016


Brian d'Arcy James gave his final performance in his Tony nominated role of 'Nick Bottom' in Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN on Sunday, May 29th.

Josh Grisetti, Leslie Kritzer & Catherine Brunell Will Step Into SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Lead Roles This Summer
by Tyler Peterson - May 26, 2016


Broadway's smash hit musical comedy Something Rotten! will welcome three new principal cast members beginning Monday, July 18 as the ten-time Tony Award-nominated show enters its second year at Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

Welcome to the Renaissance, Rob McClure! Tony Nominee Will Succeed Brian d'Arcy James in SOMETHING ROTTEN!
by Tyler Peterson - May 4, 2016


Broadway's ten-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical comedy Something Rotten! will welcome Tony Award-nominated Broadway favorite Rob McClure (Chaplin, Honeymoon in Vegas, Noises Off) as "Nick Bottom" the first week of June when he assumes the role from Brian d'Arcy James, who will play his final performance on Sunday, May 29.

Open Book: SOMETHING ROTTEN!'s Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell On Mixing Broadway and The Bard
by Michael Dale - May 2, 2016


The latest in BroadwayWorld's series of interviews with musical theatre's bookwriters.

Photo Coverage: SOMETHING ROTTEN Celebrates First Year on Broadway with Shakespeare Selfie
by Jennifer Broski - April 23, 2016


Last night, the company of SOMETHING ROTTEN! celebrated its first year of performances on Broadway! Check out photos from the special night below, including the world's largest Shakespeare selfie with the Bard himself!

Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN! Set for Sonnet Slam in Central Park Today
by BWW News Desk - April 22, 2016


The completely original, hit musical comedy, Something Rotten! sweetens the 6th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam this year with a musical performance of 'Hard to be the Bard' by cast member Eric Sciotto (Broadway credits: Annie Get Your Gun, Aida, Sweet Smell of Success, Sweet Charity and 42nd Street among others).

Bid To Meet Brian d'Arcy James at SOMETHING ROTTEN!, Support New York Pops
by Michael Dale - April 21, 2016


Meet the Bottom who's heading for the top with a new auction from Charitybuzz.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! to Celebrate First Anniversary on Broadway with Series of Bard-Centric Events
by Tyler Peterson - April 18, 2016


Something Rotten!, the ten-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit musical comedy, will celebrate its first year on Broadway with a series of events next weekend in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death on April 23, 1616.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! Signs on for Shakespeare Sonnet Slam in Central Park
by BWW News Desk - April 7, 2016


The completely original, hit musical comedy, Something Rotten! sweetens the 6th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam this year with a musical performance of 'Hard to be the Bard' by cast member Eric Sciotto (Broadway credits: Annie Get Your Gun, Aida, Sweet Smell of Success, Sweet Charity and 42nd Street among others).

Something Rotten! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the songs in Something Rotten! and what's the order?
Welcome to the Renaissance
God, I Hate Shakespeare
Right Hand Man
God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise)
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
It's Eggs!
We See The Light
To Thine Own Self
Right Hand Man (Reprise)
Something Rotten! / Make an Omelette
To Thine Own Self (Reprise)
Finale

Something Rotten! History

Other Productions of Something Rotten!

2015   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2017   US Tour National Tour
US Tour

Something Rotten! - 2015 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2015 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Featured Actor in a Musical Christian Borle
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Brian d'Arcy James
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical John O'Farrell
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical Karey Kirkpatrick
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Choreography Casey Nicholaw
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Casey Nicholaw
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Christian Borle
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Brad Oscar
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Wayne Kirkpatrick
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Karey Kirkpatrick
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical Something Rotten!
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Larry Hochman
2015 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Christian Borle
2015 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Brian d'Arcy James
2015 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Something Rotten!
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Brian d'Arcy James
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Christian Borle
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical Something Rotten!
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreography Casey Nicholaw
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Gregg Barnes
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Casey Nicholaw
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical John Cariani
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Heidi Blickenstaff
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Jeff Croiter
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Musical Something Rotten!
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Set Design Scott Pask
2015 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Karey Kirkpatrick
2015 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical John O'Farrell
2015 Tony Awards Best Choreography Casey Nicholaw
2015 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical Gregg Barnes
2015 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Casey Nicholaw
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Timothy Laczynski
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Kyodo Tokyo Inc.
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Wendy Federman
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Barbara Freitag
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical LAMS Productions
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Winkler/DeSimone
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Kevin McCollum
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Jujamcyn Theaters
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical JAM Theatricals
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Robert Greenblatt
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Dan Markley
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Harris/Karmazin
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Morris Berchard
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Ronald Frankel
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Jerry Frankel
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Mastro/Goodman
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical CMC
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Broadway Global Ventures
2015 Tony Awards Best Musical Something Rotten!
2015 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Larry Hochman
2015 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Karey Kirkpatrick
2015 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Wayne Kirkpatrick
2015 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Christian Borle
2015 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Brad Oscar
2015 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Brian d'Arcy James

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