ECA’s Theatre department gave four sold-out performances of Something Rotten! over the weekend of May 2-4. The audiences laughed, applauded, and enjoyed!
Something Rotten! is a musical comedy that satirizes the world of theater, particularly Shakespeare’s influence. The story follows two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are struggling playwrights in the 1590s and want to write a hit play, but are overshadowed by the famous Shakespeare. When a soothsayer, Nostradamus’ niece Nancy, predicts the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting, the Bottom brothers embark on a quest to create the world’s first musical, leading to a hilarious and over-the-top journey. Nick insists that she take a look and see what Shakespeare’s biggest hit will be in the future, but she gets a confused vision that with words like Danish and what sounds like “omelet,” leading to the most offbeat musical ever. All’s well that ends well, however, and the Bottom brothers learn, through various trials and missteps, “To thine own self be true.” The show makes numerous references to Shakespeare, the Renaissance, and popular culture, making it enjoyable for both fans of musicals and Shakespeare.
Cast (In order of appearance):
Minstrel: Eli Pierce
Nick Bottom: Tyler Davis
Nigel Bottom: Bo Claudino
Shakespeare: Sam Johnson
Brother Jeremiah: Payton Garrity
Tom Snout: Shia Poindexter
Peter Quince: Kailyn Ferguson
Snug: McKenzie Furlow
Francis Flute: Emery Webb
Robin: Shakeem Reed
Lady Clapham: Amelie Train
Shylock: Quincy Bothell
Bea: Jasmine Jacobs
Portia: Cara O’Brien
Nostradamus: Bella Smith
Master of Justice: Julio Agustin Ventura
Townspeople: Jakari Bass, Laila Daniels, Magali Elizalde-Perez, Fehintola Fayombo, Franchesca Forrester, Diane Orozco Hernao, Jocelyn Llano Parra, Alec Ruiz-Tinoco, Annie Villa, Morgan Wright
Puritan: Roberta Bedell, Levi Tally Carden, Annabel Garcia Cort, Al Martinez, Milan Oujua, Georgia Summerlin
Tap Ensemble: Annabel Garcia Cort, Franchesca Forrester, McKenzie Furlow, Diane Orozco Hernao, Shia Poindexter, Teagan Ross, Amelie Train, Emery Webb, Morgan Wright
Production Team:
Brice Davis, Tech and Lighting Designer; Sara Denes, Musical Director; Addy Hodge, Stage Manager; Jessica Palomo, Scenic Designer; Staci Sabarsky, Director; Aimee Wells, Costume Designer; Nicole Wilson, Choreographer; Simone Wilson, Assistant Props Designer
Crew:
Emma Aguirre, Spotlight Operator; Havan Booker, Deck Crew; Zafir Bowks, Deck Crew Chief; Sarah Bubalo, Deck Crew; Henry Chewning, Sound Engineer; Elias Holt, Spotlight Operator; Dylan Owensby, Soundboard Operator; Daniel Rodriguez-Anaya, Deck Crew; Kipleel Rono, Tech Understudy; Maddie Supernaw, Light Board Operator
Special Thanks to: Jeannine Borzello, Lindsay Bothell, Larry Campbell, David Coates, Rebecca Hodge, David McClutchey and St. David’s School, Leon Sabarsky, Dennis Berfield and Raleigh Little Theatre, David Wilk, Megan Woronka, and all the parent volunteers
