Something Rotten review - Essay Example

“Something Rotten”, Review St James Theatre March 30, 5 Stars Introduction ‘Something Rotten!’ features a score by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrel, set in 1950s. The play is all about this pair of brothers Nigel Bottom and Nick, Elizabethan-era playwrights that are less or more learning on the job. Unable or incapable of getting anywhere in the theatrical world that Shakespeare had dominated as per that time, they decide to consult a soothsayer.

The soothsayer informs them about the next new thing that was to be music, and with mixed thoughts, they decided to write one. Celebration of the Black Death was among the first work they did (McGRATH, 1)ActingThere is excellent character work from Nicholas, Scott Pask, Natasha Katz’, Brad Oscar, John Cariani, Brian d’Arcy James and Christian Borle.Nicholaw directs the show with a sure eye and endless inventiveness for a great sight silence. He uses the opportunity to add jokes thus making it funny and his choreography also runs the full scope from vast ensemble tap number to delicate duets and also trios.

The routines are satisfying and often funny in their right, and every dance number depicts classy energyScott Pask gives a marvelous set. The proscenium arch is transformed into a faux Tudor frame and the endless Disney cartoons and sense of the 16th Century – are well manifested. For Gregg Barnes; he provides some superb, eccentric and garish costumes and for Natasha Katz’ lighting, is almost first class in each and every way. There is a very effectual moment in front of the Thames, a Moon and the bridge in the background that is lit in the light of love as a theme.

The show is too beautiful to watch.The cast is magnificent. Brad Oscar all but takes away the show as the Soothsayer.He is in a superb comic shape. Brooks Ashmanskas come close in second position in his portrayal of the hypocritical, closeted Brother Joseph – he gets away every laugh out of those bottom jokes that he makes.Brian d’Arcy James excels as the wayward Bottom. He has got the immensity of the material and handles it with his all effort and effortlessly. he handles the small domestic scenes with his loving and patient wife (the brassy belter, Heidi Bickerstaff, who has great fun satirizing Shakespeare’s tropes for women), to big-voiced numbers and persistent confrontations with his most hated rival, Shakespeare.

He is singing pretty well and is, in every way, ovation deserving and memorable.Clad in skin-hugging, as the swaggering and rock star of the 16th century, leather, Christian Borle has the time of his life. Some excellent high tenor belting numbers, much flexing of impressive muscles and the special joy that accompanies the act of being the bad boy. Borle is pitch-perfect in each and every way. (Collins 1) Works CitedCollins, Stepen. "REVIEW: Something Rotten, St James Theatre .

" British Theater.com (2015): 12.McGRATH, CHARLES. "In ‘Something Rotten!,’ if Music Be the Food of Farce, Play On." In ‘Something Rotten!,’ if Music Be the Food of Farce, Play On (2015): 12.