"Something Rotten" @ Marshall Civic Players - 3/10/23 - 3/19/23

Playwrights Nick 'n' Nigel, the Bottom Brothers, need to upstage their far more successful rival William Shakespeare if they want to retain their financial backing from Lord Clapham. They think their new play Richard II is their ticket, but when Shakespeare does the unthinkable and follows up his Richard III with a prequel -- his own version of Richard II -- a brand new show is demanded by Clapham by the next day. What could go wrong if Nick just secretly grabbed the only savings he and his wife Bea have and give it to the nephew of Nostradamus (Thomas Nostradamus) to find out for sure what the next huge script will be? Supposedly it's a show called "Omelette" that has some curious fractured and foodie parallels to Shakespeare's future play "Hamlet." And, like all the big shows in the future, it'll be a new thing called a "musical." The rest is, or isn't, history.

History or not, it's definitely a fun time with the historic Marshall Civic Players entering their 74th season. Max Brundage is entertaining as a frustrated Nick Bottom so desperate for a win he may blow it all. High school senior Paul Butterfield is extremely likeable and engaging as his more quiet and less jaded younger brother who gains strength through his budding new relationship with the young Puritan Portia. Riley Wilson is an effervescent Portia, both her sweet and hilarious sides, as well as nailing the vocals. While Kyra Hill is an indomitable force as Nick's "Right Hand Man" Bea Bottom trying to prop up her husband Nick while also employing various disguises to find various employments. 

Isaiah Potter as William Shakespeare shows off some serious rock star "Will Power" and leads a great "Hard to be the Bard." Tyler Grossman offers us a most amusing amateur astrologer as Nostradamus, with other highlights including Brian Traynor as self-righteous firebrand Puritan preacher Brother Jeremiah (Portia's papa) barely repressing an awful lot of un-pure longings bubbling just below (maybe sometimes just above) the surface, and Nathanael Kurtz kicking each act off by leading the vibrant, comedic ensemble in a warm "Welcome to the Renaissance." 

Director and Choreographer Sarah Stiner and team put together a production that feels like a great party from beginning to end, and you definitely want to party with this talented cast who seem to be having as much fun as the audience.  

Rob Hopper, Marshall Arts

Photos by Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography

Minstrel - Nathanael Kurtz
Nick Bottom - Max Brundage
Nigel Bottom - Paul Butterfield
William Shakespeare - Isaiah Potter
Bea Bottom - Kyra Hill
Portia - Riley Wilson
Nostradamus - Tyler Grossman
Brother Jeremiah - Brian Traynor
Shylock - Larry Todak
Lord Clapham - Jeremy Young
Tom Snout - Chris Fullbright (Male swing)
Robin - Elliott Behrendt (Nigel Bottom u/s)
Peter Quince -Case Miller (William Shakespeare u/s)
Snug/Helena - Kayla Langford
Francis Flute - Nathanael Kurtz
Miranda/Waitress - Alaina Stafford (Portia u/s)
Rosalind - Maddy Moore
Astrologer - Linda Young
Psychic Woman - Mary Weeks
Eyepatch Man - Ciara Funk
Bard Dancers:
Noelia Barroso
Nathanael Kurtz
Kayla Langford
Case Miller
Alaina Stafford
Leia Young
Ensemble: 
Noelia Barroso
Susan Driscoll
Ciara Funk
Kristin Holbrook
Cassandra Lucus-Moore
Maddy Moore
Sarah Noah (Bea Bottom u/s)
Alaina Stafford
Laura Young
Linda Young
Angel Warner
Meghan Warner
Mary Weeks

Producer: Jennifer Butterfield
Musical Director: Brian Ketner
Director/Choreographer: Sarah Stiner
Costumer: Carole Bolthouse
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Morgyyn Putman 
Assistant Producer: Sheila Stafford