Jackson Turner (Nigel Bottom), Jacob Sorber (Shakespeare), and Nick Fowler (Nick Bottom).
What happens when you mash up Shakespeare, Broadway, and a little bit of absurdity? You get Something Rotten!, a musical that’s equal parts historical spoof and heartfelt celebration of theatre. This spring, Market Theatre is bringing this hilarious, high-energy spectacle to the stage—and whether you're a die-hard Shakespeare fan, a musical theatre junkie, or someone who just loves a good laugh, this show is absolutely for you.
Photo from the New York Times.
Set in the 1590s, Something Rotten! tells the story of two struggling playwright brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are desperate to find success in a world where one man—William Shakespeare—is basically the rock star of the stage. (Think Shakespeare as a Renaissance-era Mick Jagger, complete with fans screaming his name.) When Nick turns to a soothsayer for advice, he’s told that the next big thing in theatre is going to be… a musical. You can imagine how that idea lands in a world where people are still figuring out indoor plumbing. What follows is a riotous journey as the Bottom brothers attempt to create the world’s first musical—and beat Shakespeare at his own game.
While the plot is pure comic genius, Something Rotten! is also packed with clever nods to both Shakespeare’s plays and the entire canon of Broadway musicals. If you're a Shakespeare lover, you’ll spot lines and characters from Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Othello, and more. Quotes like “To be or not to be,” “All the world’s a stage,” and “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” are dropped in with a wink and a grin. There’s even a running gag about a mysterious (and completely fake) lost Shakespeare play called Omelette, which leads to a full-blown, egg-themed musical within the musical. Yes, it’s as ridiculous—and brilliant—as it sounds.
Photo from New York Theater.
But where Something Rotten! really sets itself apart is in its loving parody of musical theatre itself. In one of the show’s most iconic numbers, “A Musical,” Nick Bottom receives a vision of what musicals will one day become. The number is a full-on spectacle that references Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera, Annie, The Music Man, Chicago, and many more—all while poking fun at chorus lines, over-the-top choreography, and heartfelt ballads. If you’ve ever hummed along to “Do-Re-Mi” or belted “One Day More” in the car, you’ll find yourself laughing and clapping along with every beat.
What makes Something Rotten! so special is that it doesn’t just make fun of theatre—it celebrates it. It’s a love letter to the magic of the stage, from Shakespeare’s quill to Broadway’s razzle-dazzle. And unlike other historical musicals like Hamilton or Les Misérables, which aim for epic drama and revolution, Something Rotten! leans hard into joy, silliness, and theatrical delight. It’s more Spamalot than 1776, more chorus line than war front.
Behind all the laughs is a clever commentary on creativity, competition, and carving out your own path. The Bottom brothers might be fictional, but their struggles with originality, inspiration, and self-worth are something every artist (and honestly, every human) can relate to.
So whether you come for the Shakespeare references, stay for the show tunes, or just want to laugh until your face hurts, Market Theatre’s production of Something Rotten! promises to be a Renaissance romp you won’t forget. Don’t miss this outrageous musical comedy that proves—once and for all—that nothing’s rotten when it comes to great theatre!
Something Rotten! runs April 25 - May 12 at Market Theatre and tickets are on sale now! Dust off your doublets, warm up your jazz hands, and we’ll see you at the theatre!
