Review: Ziegfeld Theater’s ‘Something Rotten!’
REVIEW
Ziegfeld Theater presents “Something Rotten!”
Book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick
Music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Directed by Jennifer Westfall
Runs through May 30
Glossary:
Danish:
1. a laminated (think flaky) pastry brought to America in the 1920s, usually made with a cream cheese filling and fruity jam. Coffee and a danish was breakfast for many in mid-century U.S.A.
2. a person born in Denmark, the people who invented hygge.
Pastiche:
art that respectfully imitates various aspects of previous arts (a French word borrowed from the Italian word for pie).
If you hate Shakespeare, this play is for you. If you love Shakespeare, this play is for you. If you have any knowledge whatsoever about musical theatre this play is for you and it goes without saying that musical theatre lovers will flat out love this play.
We are welcomed to the Renaissance, where Shakespeare is the toast of the town (think Elvis in bright lights and shiny costumes). Nick and baby brother Nigel Bottom are jealous and annoyed by his success while theirs is stalled for want of a great idea.
Desperate Nick consults Nostradamus (actually the original’s nephew) for a look into the future for the next great idea on stage. Guess what it is. MUSICAL theatre! It’s just so preposterous it just might work and no one works harder than Nick to make it happen.
Of course, there are love interests, dramatic threats of beheading, and an escape to America, all a logical consequence of musical theatre. Everyone will find something to amuse them. And that’s one of the fun things about this show. You are just delighted any time you catch a reference in the loving pastiche of lines, actions, choreography, visuals and anything else that can be woven into this current story by all the stories that have already been told. I’m going to include an interest list at the end. You can check it out for yourself.
One thing I love about the scenic design is the Globe Theatre. The project brings you right into the space. All of the scenes were effective but the Globe was the best! The sound was better balanced between the music and the vocalists. I actually understood almost everything that was sung.
Now to actors. Caleb Parry (Nick) had so much fierce energy and speedy, spitting delivery he was like watching a madman (of course, he IS a mad man). One foot taller baby brother Jonas Stone (Nigel) was so adorable, he even made anxiety attacks look charming. Their paramours, Joan Dunn and Riley Plott, were heroic in their strength. Colton Ward (Shakespeare) was appropriately over the top. This is where almost everyone else gets slighted because they ALL deserve to be mentioned but I’m going to give you three standouts: Mejai Perry (Bard Boy/Francis) steals every scene he is in. Austin Payne (Nostradamus) is the sumo wrestler of Ogden comedy and he is powerful! Terran Lowe/Robin/Ensemble made the best use of a dress I’ve seen on stage. He reminded me of a young Gene Wilder. Once again, my apologies to the rest of this excellent cast.
Seriously consider seeing this production, especially if you want to Brush Up Your Shakespeare. ;)
theatrenerds.com/guide-every-musical-reference-something-rotten/