It seems like something Monty Python would create: A show about two brothers trying to put on a play, but finding themselves overshadowed by some guy named Shakespeare. When a fortuneteller suggests they turn their play into a musical (an unheard of term in the 1590s), they set out to put the world’s first musical on stage. And thus is the story of Something Rotten! which opened last week and continues through the end of the year at the Ahmanson Theatre.
This is the touring production of the Broadway musical that was nominated for 10 Tony Awards (winning one for Christian Borle.) The show lost to Fun Home which has already played here.
The cast here includes Adam Pascal (best known for originating the role of Roger in Rent); Rob McClure (who memorably starred in both Chaplin and Honeymoon in Vegas) and Josh Grisetti (who was in the Broadway company of this show.)
With songs like “Welcome to the Renaissance,” “God I Hate Shakespeare” and “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top,” you know that silliness is the name of this musical game. Take a look at “It’s Hard to Be the Bard” performed by the original company:
Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel
