Broadway Across America's Something Rotten!

It’s a MUSICAL! Broadway Across America’s Something Rotten! brought fun, laughter, and plenty of musical theatre references to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. This electric show tells the story of brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, and their struggle to compete with the Renaissance rock star, William Shakespeare. The Bottom brothers hope to discover the next big thing in the theatre in order to save their failing acting troupe and support their family. ​The rivalry between the Bard (Adam Pascal) and Nick Bottom (Rob McClure) makes for hilarious numbers like “God, I Hate Shakespeare, “It’s Hard to be the Bard,” and “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top.” These hysterical songs give the audience something to smile about. Since Pascal and McClue starred opposite each other in the Broadway production as well, their chemistry was spot on. Pascal brought out the diva in Shakespeare, and McClure portrayed Bottom’s desperation for fame and success. Another Broadway transfer, Josh Grisetti, kept Nigel Bottom’s innocence alive. Grisetti’s awkward movements and loveable personality captured Nigel’s essence perfectly. A hopeless romantic, Nigel meets his soulmate, Puritan Portia (Autumn Hurlbert.) Though at first glance a puritan, forbidden from dancing or enjoyment of any sort, and a quirky poet would be an unlikely match, the pair’s adorable duet, “I Love Way,” added both heart and wit to the production. The stage look like a glamorous version of Renaissance England, where William Shakespeare’s plays reign supreme. A special addition to opening night was the outpouring of love from the South Florida renaissance community, who came to support the show in full costume and took pictures with patrons in the lobby.   This show was laugh out loud funny, as well as endearing and an homage to centuries of brilliant musical theatre. Not only theatre nerds and Shakespeare fanatics should jump at the chance to experience this silly, energetic show, but anyone in search of a joyous night of theatre would love Something Rotten!