“Something Rotten!” takes the stage in Riverhead, with the Blue Masques production of the Tony Award-nominated musical comedy Thursday through Sunday at Riverhead High School.
Set in the 1590s, “Something Rotten!” tells the story of two brothers who are struggling to write a hit play that will compete with the rock star of the theater world at the time, William Shakespeare. One of the brothers, frustrated by their lack of success, consults a soothsayer, the nephew of Nostradamus. He predicts that in the future, theater will bring together acting, singing and dancing. Scandalous! But the brothers decide to bring the concept to the stage anyway, with the world’s first musical theater production.
The idea that the brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom would even try to outdo Shakespeare by inventing the musical (thanks to a soothsayer’s questionable vision) is inherently absurd. This sets the stage for the play’s mix of slapstick, farce and satire that keeps the laughs coming.
“Something Rotten!” opened on Broadway in 2015 and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including best musical.
The Blue Masques’ performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Charles Cardona Auditorium, at Riverhead High School. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $5 for Riverhead students with ID.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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