Review by Kate Neeley, Front Row Reviewers
Jam packed with Shakespearean allusions and a boatload of nods to the musicals you know and love, Music Theatre West’s and Cache Theater Company‘s production of Something Rotten is a feast for the Shakespeare gurus, theater junkies, or anyone who sat through high school English class. For the pun loving crowd, this show is sure to tickle the word nerd inside the best of you.
Like a sort of Shakespearean Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, this zany production is filled with some of the best known poets and playwrights and famous people in Great Britain at the time of the Renaissance. If you were lucky enough to see the trailer produced by Graphic and Video Designer Bodie Brower, or caught some fun social media posts by Social Media Specialist Alisha Wilkins, you would have been ready to run and grab your tickets.
There’s no doubt there is historical significance to a lot of the content, and it is anything but dry in delivery. You’ll think maybe you’re a university theater student with Broadway hopes and dreams who fell asleep in the library studying Shakespeare and found yourself dreaming. You will embark on a wild adventure with Puritans dropping slurs and innuendo, peasants singing harmoniously about the black plague, plus colorful characters popping in left and right from all your favorite Broadway shows.
Choreographed and directed by the fabulous and kind Stephanie White, you’ll be wowed by the creative characterization and toe tapping dance numbers. Expertly cast and produced by Sebrina Woodland, each character is perfectly suited to their role. The two brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are played by Sam Teuscher and Landon Weeks, both of whom have some excellent singing voices and incredible acting skills. Shakespeare is played by Chris Metz who brings the bard to life in a hilarious and expertly convincing way. Haven Draper and Nicole Martineau are the Bottom bros’ love interests Bea Bottom and Portia and both have powerhouse vocals and very animated characterization. Brad Noble is hilarious as the zany and highly animated Nostradamus.
Not only is the show a feast for the ears, but the bright costumes and hair put together by Lydia Semler and Emma Lovan, plus Maren Lyman and set design by Music and Theatre Company will grab and pull you right into an imaginative Renaissance smattering peppered with contemporary culture. The sound technicians Jasper Ward and his trusty assistant Clara Baillio expertly manage the sound along with technical director Kyle Stein to ensure you hear the lines whether sung or spoken. Kyle Sunderland lights up the stage, literally, with his expert lighting design.
This cast is no amateur choir. They can sing! Whether choral, solo, a capella, or even “talk” singing, the entertainment is top notch and it’s surprising that this much talent can be found in a community theater performance because it seems professional. Music director Karen Teuscher is well known for producing incredible choirs around Cache Valley, and she certainly brings out the rich sound of the performers in Something Rotten.
Given that there are a plethora of Shakespeare in this show, dramaturg Randy Jensen added his expertise getting the cast ready for those elements. Some of the less visible performers are still intrinsic parts of the success of the performance. Fly and spotlight operators Carter Holdaway, Cannon Hill, Cali Johnson, and Emma Hatch really add to the telling of a fun and swiftly moving tale. It is no joke shifting from a little Renaissance town to the bright lights of a Broadway backdrop. Details aren’t just details, and Props Master Jared Gregersen makes sure to provide just the things needed to add those. All the moving parts would likely fall apart if it weren’t for Stage Manager and Assistant EJ Stevens and Jonathan Olsen.
Music Theatre West’s Something Rotten is loaded with fun and silliness you won’t soon forget. It’s colorful, smart, hilarious, and a good time. Special thanks to Executive Director Celeste Baillio for such a valuable asset to the community. Playing at Ellen Eccles Theatre September 13-21, you won’t be sorry if you catch this incredible performance. With shows as fun as this one, stay tuned for more great shows from Music Theatre West.
Music Theatre West and Cache Theater Company presents Something Rotten, Book by John O’Farrell, Karey Kirkpatrick.
Music and Lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick.
Ellen Eccles Theater 43 S Main St Logan Utah 84321
September 13-21
Tickets at https://www.musictheatrewest.org/
0 Comments