While it’s not a household name, “Something Rotten” is a show that musical lovers will want to see.
“This should make people laugh. It’s silly and fun” said Scott Seidl, Augusta Players’ executive and artistic director.
It’s set in Elizabethan England, sort of. The characters speak in modern language, and the songs are definitely contemporary. And if you hate Shakespeare, then this is the show for you. One of the characters sings a song devoted to that exact emotion.
But hey, if you’re in the Shakespeare lovers camp, then Shakespeare is the rock star of this piece. And rock star he is, according to Seidl.
In a case of life imitating art or is art imitating life, the part of The Bard is played by Jonathan Cook, who has written plays that have been produced locally as well as far-flung locations in the world
Cook said he’s never written a musical and rarely auditions for them.
“I’m so drawn into dialogue. I do few musicals,” he said.
A friend suggested he audition for the show, and the vocal range for Shakespeare’s songs worked for him, he said.
The premise of the show is that Shakespeare has the Midas touch, leaving the other writers scrounging for ideas and success. Two brothers, Nigel and Nick Bottom, are brothers and playwrights who are under Shakespeare’s shadow.
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Nick Bottom, played by Sol Baird who appeared in “Young Frankenstein” in the fall, enlists a soothsayer named Nostradamus. No, not that one, his less famous, not quite as accurate relative, who sees that musicals will be the biggest hit of the future.
But what’s a musical? Fair question since it is the Dark Ages, and the genre hasn’t been invented yet.
Never fear! The next song will clue the audience in.
And for musical fans, if you listen to the music and watch the choreography, you may find a few favorites. Hint, watch for about 20 references to different musicals in the song “A Musical” including “Rent,” “Avenue Q,” “Annie,” “Sweet Charity” and “Les Misérables” to name a few.
“The music is pop and rock and old standard musical numbers,” said Seidl.
Seidl said the Players 77th season is all about the fun and the laughs in light of the past two years people have endured.
“Something Rotten” will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 and at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Imperial Theatre.
For tickets, visit augustaplayers.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
