By JESSICA NEU
Something Rotten! is tagged as “the funniest musical in at least 400 years.” Given the sustained, uproarious response from the audience at Paragon’s production last night, that tagline might be true. Directed by Deborah Metzger, the 2015 musical is a boisterous, delightful take on the “let’s make a musical” meta-narrative.
Set in the 90s, the 1590s that is, we are introduced to wannabe Bard, Nick Bottom (Josh Plowman), and the debonaire Bard extraordinaire, William Shakespeare (Andy Georgiev). The two gentlemen are at odds over who will write and direct the next hit play. Shakespeare is coming off his biggest hit yet, Romeo & Juliet, but Bottom is still struggling to develop his ideas fully. Running out of money, Bottom’s wife Bea (Bethany Tonarelli) dresses as a man and attempts to secure a job to earn extra income. Remember, this is the 1590s and women were still forbidden to work. However, Bea confidently assures us that by the 1600s women will have achieved full equality amongst their male counterparts. These modern cultural references, along with constant one-liners and references to a variety of other musicals, make Something Rotten! a witty and intelligent production. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, with music by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten!’s clever comedic approach is a refreshing shift from the cheap laughs that other current musicals have been criticized for.
As Nick and his brother Nigel (Alex Kerr) struggle to create a hit play, Nick desperately seeks the advice of a soothsayer named Nostradamus (Mark Spondike). Nostradamus looks into the future and envisions the advent of the musical. From there, Metzger, who also serves as music director and choreographer, allows her ensemble to shine with energetic dance numbers, kick lines, and comedic fodder that deliver a heartwarming story and a huge dose of Broadway fun. Whether it’s Bea’s love of cross-dressing or Brother Jeremiah’s spectrum of repressed religious zealot to full-on dancer, Metzger allows each principal actor to shine and gives the actors opportunities to lean into unique moments that make their performances memorable. As the brothers attempt to write the first musical, they are reminded “to thine own self be true.” This message lies at the heart of Something Rotten! serving as the thematic throughline amidst the high-energy comedy and dance numbers.
Plowman proves himself to be a multifaceted performer as he showcases his knack for physical comedy, comedic timing, dramatic flair, and solo vocal numbers. Nick’s desire to become the next Shakespeare led him to outsource his ideas to a fortune-telling soothsayer, juxtaposed with Nigel’s self-reliance (and doubt) in his own abilities; this was especially powerful in a time when AI is challenging the creativity and humanity behind the arts. We root for him, Nigel, and Bea to prevail against the maliciously deviant Georgiev as Shakespeare. Georgiev’s Mick Jagger-like Shakespeare makes the townspeople swoon, and he delivers the role with just the right amount of sex appeal and charisma to make him the perfect antagonist. Nick and Nigel are supported by a troupe of young men who vocally blend in perfect harmony and add a lovable dynamic to all ensemble numbers.
Of course, no musical (meta-narrative or other) is complete without a good romantic conflict. Nigel falls in love with Portia (Sam Cox), whose father, Brother Jeremiah (Tom Smithyman), will hear nothing of their relationship and exiles Portia. The rest of the show needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate what becomes of the brothers’ hilarious, awful, amazing interpretation of Nostradamus’ vision for the next big hit and first musical.
Something Rotten! reminds us of how obscure a musical’s form can be. Whether you are familiar with only a few shows or have a deep, esoteric knowledge of the history of musical theater, you are guaranteed to laugh at this large dose of pure theatrical fun. Join Paragon Theater “tomorrow,” for a show with “all that jazz,” so there is no “trouble,” and you’re not left outside with the “cats” or stuck with the “fiddler on the roof.” I promise, it is anything but “rotten!”
\
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Paragon Theater’s Something Rotten! runs now through August 8, 2026. For tickets visit: https://paragontheatre.net/buy-tickets-here
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply