SOMETHING ROTTEN
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Providence College Theatre Department’s opening show is the regional College area premiere of “Something Rotten”, a very new and fresh musical from 2015. This hilarious original musical is set in 1595 and tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom and their arguments and disagreements with William Shakespeare who is a character in this play.
The Bottoms are two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. Shakespeare used to be a member of Nick’s acting company but Nick threw Will out because he was a lousy actor. So Nick decides the best thing to do is to go to a soothsayer to find out how to accomplish this goal. Nick learns that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time. So the intrepid brothers decide to write the world’s first musical. Nigel wants to write from the heart when his true love’s mean overbearing Religious fanatic father forbids them from ever seeing each other again. Nick listens to Nostradamus that Shakespeare’s best play is going to be called Omelette, which leads to some hilarious, irreverent and crazy situations that end up with tap dancing eggs.
Meanwhile Nick’s wife is the first feminist who shows how a woman can do anything a man can do and maybe do it even better than he can. This musical is full of bigger then life characters who leave you in stitches from the opening curtain with the Minstrel welcoming you to the Renaissance to the closing hilarious scene which shows what eventually happens to the Bottom Brothers who in this musical definitely come out on top. There is a heartwarming scene between the two brothers when Nick realizes “To Thy Own Self Be True” and apologizes to Nigel which brings out the pathos before a rip roaring conclusion. Wise words to follow in these troubling and uncertain times are the following lyrics “Sure as the day follows the night, Sure as the sky turns to blue, This much I know, this much is true, Above all else in whatever you do, To thine own self be true.” Kudos to director Jimmy Calitri for tackling such an ambitious and enormous musical and turning it into a musical masterpiece with the aid of musical director Lila Kane and choreographer Jennifer Hopkins and a special word of praise to their 24 multitalented college student cast.
Jimmy elicits terrific performances from his cast and blocks them all over the enormous set. The majestic two story set is by Renee Suprenant Fitzgerald while the multitude of colorful costumes are by Anna Grywalski. Lila and her eight piece orchestra are superb from the opening to closing numbers. One of the best chorus numbers in the show is called “A Musical” which pays homage to and incorporates bits and pieces from “Pippin”, “A Chorus Line”, “Annie”, “Sound of Music”, “Cats” and many more. The tap dancing is magnificent and performed in perfect unison. Other standout chorus numbers include “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top” which closes Act 1 with a bang, “We See the Light”, a rousing gospel number, “Something Rotten” and “Make an Omelette” which are both hilarious. The choreography by Jennifer is astounding and breathtaking to watch.
Leading the talented cast is Senior Daniel Jameson as Nick Bottom. He captivated audiences last year as the lead in “Bat Boy, the Musical” and as the sympathetic character, Simon in “Lord of the Flies.” He commands the stage in this enormous role and captures the essence of the character perfectly. He is a singleminded person who want to write the best show ever and resorts to underhanded tactics. Nick admits his failings and learns the lesson his younger brother taught him that truth wins the day. Daniel’s song and dance numbers include the rousing closer of Act 1 called “Bottom’s Gonna be on Top”, “It’s Eggs” and the tap dancing number “Make an Omelette.” Daniel has shown great acting prowess in all roles I have seen him in and it wouldn’t surprise me to see an acting career in his future after graduation.
Nolan Donato excellently plays the role of neurotic and nerdy, Nigel who is the heart and soul of the show. His character supposedly writes the dialogue for “Hamlet” and Will cleverly swipes it. Some of the brothers songs include “God, I Hate Shakespeare” and “To Thine Own Self.” Nolan’s tenor voice soars in his songs and he captures empathetic character perfectly with his acting prowess. Bea, Nick’s wife is wonderfully played by Emily Smith. Bea convinces the boys that she can do the work of men in “Right Hand Man” in Act 1 and in Act 2 sings the song to comfort Nigel on his disappoint with Nick and his Omelette musical. Nigel and his true love, Portia who is beautifully played by Halle Pratt, sing “I Love the Way” when they first meet and admire their poetic writings. Their show stopping gospel song is “We See the Light” which has power and punch to liven up the proceedings.
Tall, dark and handsome Steven Sawan shines as the crafty rock singing William Shakespeare with his pompous behavior and posturing as a conceited cad. His dynamite rock numbers are “”Will Power” where he and his boys strut their stuff and in “It’s Hard to be the Bard” where he explains how much stress he’s under. Steven’s moves are reminiscent of Elvis as times. Shakespeare disguises himself as Toby Belch to spy on the brothers and eventually to sue them for stealing from him when it is really vice versa in this show. His antics as this bigger then life character are magnificent and wonderful to behold. The hilarious Thomas Nostradamus is excellently played by Thomas Edwards. He convinces Nick that Shakespeare’s most successful play is going to be Omelette not Hamlet. He also describes that musicals are what the world wants. Another comic performer is William Oser as the Brother Jeremiah, the religious fanatic who has some naughty one liners that won sustained laughter. The acting troupe in this show playing multiple roles is fabulous, too. The surprise ending leaves the audience cheering in the aisles. So for a fabulous musical premiere, be sure to catch “Something Rotten” which is taken from Hamlet’s quote of “There is Something Rotten in Denmark.” It is a magnificent spectacle from start to finish and audience members will be enthralled at its clever and witty script, lyrics and songs. Run do not walk to the box office before the entire two week run is sold out. Tell them Tony sent you.
SOMETHING ROTTEN (25 October to 3 November)
Providence College Theatre Department, Angell Blackfriars Theatre, Eaton Street, Providence, RI
1(401)865-2218 or www.providence.edu/theatre
