By Christy Hudson
Something is (not that) rotten in the state of Utah. The National Tour of Something Rotten! makes a stop at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan this week, presented by CacheArts. With a book by John O’Farrell and Kary Kirkpatrick, and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Kary Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten! is set in 1595 during the English Renaissance, when William Shakespeare was a living Rockstar.
Nick (Matthew Michael Janisse) and Nigel Bottom Richard Spitaletta) are a playwright/brother duo who find themselves competing with the fame and success of William Shakespeare. Nick is particularly disgruntled, so he goes to a soothsayer to tell him what the next big thing in Theatre is going to be, as well as Shakespeare’s biggest idea, so he can do it first. He learns that in the future, theatre-goers love something called musicals, and that Shakespeare’s greatest hit is going to be called “Omelette” (or something similar). Nick convinces Nigel and their theatre troupe to write and perform it first as a breakfast-themed musical.
TJanisse’s portrayal of Nick’s impassioned hatred for Shakespeare is hilarious. His declaration of “I Hate Shakespeare” is a feeling that is likely reciprocated by all the students studying Romeo and Julietin their ninth grade English classes. Janisse’s enthusiasm and comedic timing are perfect. Nigel Bottom may be my favorite character because of his passion for poetry, love for writing, and respect for words that move the soul. Spitaletta plays the part with boyish charm that makes it impossible not to like him.
Two characters steal every scene they are in. The first, of course, is the Bard himself, Shakespeare, played by Matthew Baker. Baker hilariously portrays Shakespeare’s Rockstar persona and charisma. In his first number, “Will Power,” Shakespeare sings several of his most famous sonnets and lines to a crowd of screaming fans, and in the opening of Act 2, “Hard to Be the Bard,” he explains how difficult it is to be famous and beloved by all, while also being expected to write hit plays. Baker’s egotistical rendition of Shakespeare is hysterical and just plain fun to watch.
Greg Kalafatas plays the soothsayer Thomas Nostradamus (no, not that Nostradamus, but his nephew), the other character who consistently steals every scene he is in. When Nick hires Nostradamus to look into the future and see what the next big thing in theatre is going to be, Kalafatas performs a true show-stopper, “A Musical.” Each trope in musical theatre is named, explored, spoofed, and ultimately celebrated (for example, dance breaks don’t necessarily advance plot or character development, but we sure love them anyway). Kalafatas’s outlandish depiction of the soothsayer is consistently funny. He is definitely a crowd favorite.
Emily Kristen Morris plays Bea, Nick’s wife, who refuses to be told she can’t do any job that a man can do. I love her balance of feminism and individuality with her love and support of her husband. Morris’s performance feels authentic, particularly in a scene when she describes what love is really like to Nigel after several years of marriage. Morris has a natural toughness and sweetness that makes her instantly likeable, and her voice is also flawless and strong.
Nigel finds himself falling in love with a fellow poetry-lover, a Puritan named Portia, played by Jennifer Elizabeth Smith. She is marvelously enthusiastic and amusing. Smith is so enjoyable to watch, and she sings beautifully. I think that the sentiment of Nigel and Portia falling in love over their mutual love of poetry, literature, and Shakespeare might feel relatable to some contemporary couples (for example, those who have bonded with one another over television shows, video games, comics, etc. It happens a lot these days).
The ensemble has some wonderful dance numbers, including the aforementioned “A Musical.” Keeping true to form of a lot of Shakespeare’s plays, the show contains a play-within-a-play. The number “Make an Omlette” provides so many comical moments. How many people expect to see both William Shakespeare and dancing eggs in the same play? But the ensemble is just so fun in this, as well as all their songs and dances. (Spoiler—say these out loud—omelette. Hamlet. Get it?)
The National Broadway Tour of Something Rotten! features the same direction and choreography as the original Broadway production by Casey Nicholaw. It also features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, and sound design by Peter Hylenski. As such, everything has the highest level of professionalism as it possibly can. Nicholaw and Barnes both received Tony nominations in their respective categories when it first premiered on Broadway. That is the caliber of production that can be expected.
The National Tour of Something Rotten! at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan is sidesplitting. I personally laughed out loud many times. Of course, Shakespeare himself was a fan of crude humor. A lot of it just sounds more eloquent in his plays because of the old-timey language. But this show does hold true to his comedy and is filled with innuendos, sexual references, and bathroom humor, so expect to see a show rated PG-13. But if that kind of stuff doesn’t bother you, also expect to be entertained. It is full of references to both musicals and Shakespearean classics, and I think if you’re unfamiliar with the show already, it’s impossible to catch them all on the first viewing, but it makes it fun to try. The dialogue is clever, the music is enjoyable, and the production is hysterical. Seriously, just go and have a good time.
CacheArts presents the National Tour of Something Rotten!, book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick.
The Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S Main St. Logan, UT, 84321
February 12-13, 2019, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $45-$65
Contact: 435-752-0026, tixsales@cachearts.org
Cache Valley Center for the Arts Facebook Page
Something Rotten! Facebook Event
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