Director

Something Rotten! is a hilarious, high-energy musical that reimagines Shakespeare’s world with a modern twist. Set in the Renaissance, it follows struggling playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom, who try to outshine wildly popular William Shakespeare by creating the world’s first musical. Packed with show-stopping numbers, outrageous comedy, and clever nods to Broadway and the Bard, Something Rotten! is a joyful celebration of creativity, ambition, and the absurdity of the theatre world.

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Something Rotten!

Southern Utah University

The Bottom brothers, two struggling playwrights in Renaissance London, need a hit. That’s easier said than done when your chief competition is local rockstar William Shakespeare. The Bottom brothers’ plan? Write the world’s first musical!

Something Rotten

Stratford Festival

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, SOMETHING ROTTEN. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, SOMETHING ROTTEN was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”.

Delray Beach Playhouse

Welcome to the Renaissance and an outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star 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.

Henegar Center For the Arts

Welcome to the Renaissance. The hit musical that took Broadway and Stratford by storm is coming to the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre. This crowd-pleasing musical farce, featuring a live orchestra, incredible costumes, and large song and dance numbers has been hailed as the funniest musical to hit the stage.

Something Rotten! A Northumberland Players Production

Capitol Theatre

THE STORY: Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. The show was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years."

Possum Point Players

It’s 1595, and brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but find themselves stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting—all at the same time—Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. 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.

Boston Conservatory Theater

Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of 16th century Shakespeare and 21st century Broadway. Hailed as “the funniest musical comedy in 400 years,” this outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce follows Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star 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. (Appropriate for ages 13 and up)

Chattanooga Theatre Centre

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer, the nephew of Nostradamus, 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. With large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, every audience will be left laughing in the aisles.

The Lancaster Performing Arts Center

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years".
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star 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.


Pacific Repertory Theatre

Nominated for ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, Something Rotten! is a humorous mash-up of 16th century Shakespeare and 21st century Broadway.

Director

Karey Kirkpatrick

Events

Upcoming events

May 11 - Oct 31, 2026

Something Rotten · Stratford Festival

Jul 20 - Oct 3, 2026

Something Rotten! · Utah Shakespeare Festival

Past events

Jul 20 - Oct 3, 2026

Something Rotten! · Utah Shakespeare Festival

May 11 - Oct 31, 2026

Something Rotten · Stratford Festival

About

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