Theatre Review 'Something Rotten'

      Theatre Three Closes Out Their Mainstage Season on a High Note with “Something Rotten”

By Cindi Sansone-Braff 

Photos Ana McCasland, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

Theatre Three SOMETHING ROTTEN at left Evan Teich In 2015, “Something Rotten,” with music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick and book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, garnered 10 Tony-award nominations. This clever, well-crafted show lampoons musicals and classical theatre, with allusions to at least 20 Broadway scores and many references to the Shakespearean canon tossed in the mix.

The musical takes place in England during the 1590s. The opening number, “Welcome to the Renaissance,” features the talented, charismatic Jae Hughes as The Minstrel and the entire company proclaiming how wonderful it is to live in 16th-century England during a golden age. Randall Parsons’s innovative Elizabethan-era set and Chakira Doherty’s authentic period costumes helped transport the audience to that glorious time of rebirth.

“Something Rotten”  features a large cast of zany characters, and a big round of applause goes out to the director, Jeffrey Sanzel, who managed to have every onstage actor shine as they exuded boundless energy throughout the entire production. 

The slapstick plot centers around a playwriting team comprised of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom. They are about to lose their patronage unless they develop a hit show that can upstage Shakespeare, the  Renaissance superstar. Nick consults a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, hoping to discover the next big thing in theatre. Nostradamus predicts that “musicals” will be the next big thing to hit the theatre world, and Nick and Nigel set out to write one.

SOMETHING ROTTEN Andrew Boza & Ryan Nolan.Ryan Nolin is a natural-born comedian, and his depiction of  Nick, the frustrated and penniless playwright, had the audience in stitches. Nolin showcased his strong vocals with his powerful rendition of “God, I Hate Shakespeare.” Christine Boehm gave a knockout performance as his wife, Bea, a woman ahead of her time. Her heartfelt delivery of “Right Hand Man” was one of the show’s highlights.

Andrew Boza gave a noteworthy performance as Nigel, a nervous, insecure man passionate about poetry. Danielle Pafundi was believable as Portia, Nigel’s love interest. The onstage chemistry between Boza and Pafundi was palatable, and their duet, “I Love the Way,” was an audience favorite.

Brother Jeremiah, Portia’s scripture-quoting father, was brilliantly portrayed by Jim Sluder. During the fantasy song and dance number “We See the Light,” Sluder received some of the biggest laughs of the evening.

My favorite character in this musical is Thomas Nostradamus, the renowned seer’s nephew, and Dennis Setteducati was riveting in this role. He also revealed his comedic genius during “A Musical,” one of the funniest songs in the show. This number also featured breathtaking choreography by Sari Feldman and Josie McSwane, including a rapid-fire group tap dance segment and a showstopping kickline routine.

Evan Teich gave an award-worthy performance as Nick and Nigel’s nemesis, Shakespeare. Teich stole every scene he was in as he pranced around the stage like a rock star, wearing skintight pants and shaking his booty. He revealed his stellar vocals during “Will Power,” an upbeat song delivered while his adoring fans fawned over him. Some of the lyrics of this song feature some of Shakespeare’s most beloved quotes, such as, “Now is the winter of our discontent,” “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day,” and “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

Angelo DiBiase aced the role of the comic character Shylock, a Jewish money lender, who lets the audience know that this is the only job he is permitted to do, but his passion is theater. Liam Marsigliano gave a memorable performance as Lord Clapham, the wealthy, flamboyant theatre patron, and Bryan Bowie was believable as the Master of Justice.

The star-studded ensemble added greatly to the overall success of this production. A big shoutout goes to all of them, including Melanie Acampora, Sean Amato, Patrick Campbell, Samantha Fierro, Brian Frank, Rachel Geiser, Rachel Greenblatt, Heidi Jaye, Michelle LaBozzetta, Melissa Norman, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Michelle Shapiro, Jillian Sharpe, Briana Ude, Steven Uihlein, Ryan Van Nostrand, and Ryan Worrell.  

Take the whole family to see this funny, fast-paced, and fabulous production of “Something Rotten.” The show runs through June 24, 2023. To purchase tickets, contact the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her play, “Way Out,” is featured in the upcoming Rogue Theater Festival.