Laughter filled the theater as actors burst into song, dance, and pulled out sarcastic jokes. Something Rotten! is a live comedy musical centered on the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who are two struggling playwrights in Renaissance England. They are frustrated by the overwhelming popularity of William Shakespeare, who is portrayed as a rock star in their life. Because of the desire for fame and pressure to support his family, Nick turns to a fortune teller, Thomas Nostradamus, hoping to discover what Shakespeare will write next. Instead, the prediction sparks a hilarious idea of the invention of the first musical.
Throughout the show, the musical pokes fun at everything from Renaissance culture to modern Broadway productions. There is fast-paced humor and surprising twists that keep the audience laughing to the end. “My favorite scene was when they performed ‘Omelette’ the musical, and Shakespeare reveals that Nick used a fortune teller to steal his future play. It was a super funny take on the original play ‘Hamlet’ with a lot of surprise twists,” says Aiyanna Reed (12)
While the comedy makes Something Rotten! entertaining, the musical also highlights the creativity and risk-taking behind theater. The characters on stage will need to experiment with new ideas that connect with the modern world’s humor while aligning with the play’s theme in order to stand out in a competitive artistic world.
Beyond the story itself, watching live theater offers a different kind of experience compared to movies or television. Aiyanna explains, “I really enjoyed watching the show and the live performance.” Unlike a screen, a stage performance is slightly different every time, as actors react to the audience’s laughter and energy.
The stage also allows performers to use stage movements, costume design, and expressive acting to communicate emotions between the actors and the audience. Many moving parts, like the lighting changes, sound effects, and choreography, all work together to bring the story to life and make it unique. Because everything happens live, the audience becomes part of the performance too. “It looks and sounds so much more immersive in real life, and it’s so much more engaging because there are so many little details to take in,” says Mikayla Wang (12).
For many students, attending or participating in a play can open the door to a new appreciation for the arts. Theater combines storytelling, music, acting, and visual design into one shared experience.
Live shows bring a meaningful message: sometimes the most memorable moments happen right in front of you.
