March 29, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“Something Rotten!” A Musical Comedy Ripe With Laughter at the Ahmanson

By Beverly Cohn

As you might imagine from the title – “Something Rotten!” – this is a rollicking, no-holds barred, irreverent two-act musical written by the brothers Kirkpatrick, Wayne and Karey, with the book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, which is filled with irreverent wise cracks, double entendres, with no sacred subject escaping their sharp wit. This delicious confection, nominated for 10 Tony Awards, is brilliantly directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. Thanks to the award-winning design team, you will be treated to a fairy tale set by Scott Pask, candy-colored costumes design by Gregg Barnes, with Jeff Croiter’s lighting drenching the stage in 21 flavors of sparkling colors. This production features three principal cast members from the Broadway production: Rob McClure as Nick Bottom, Josh Grisetti as Nigel Bottom, and Adam Pascal as Shakespeare.

The show kicks off with a rousing opening number, “Welcome to the Renaissance” belted out by Minstrel (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and an outstanding ensemble. The storyline revolves around the Bottom brothers – Nick, the more aggressive of the two, fabulously played by a multi-talented Rob McClure, and Nigel, more the poet and playwright, sweetly brought to life by Josh Grisetti. Their nemesis is Shakespeare, played by Adam Pascal, whose characterization is that of a rock star. Nigel can’t seem to come up with a play, while Shakespeare is spitting them out. In reading some of the Bard’s lines, Nick exclaims, “Who talks like this?” The brothers are under pressure and everything that Nigel writes seems to have a distinct Shakespearean bent. (Who’s stealing from whom?) Hence, another showstopper –“God, I Hate Shakespeare,” sung and danced by Nick, Nigel, and the cast. Not only is Nick under work pressure, he’s also under pressure from his wife Bea (Maggie Lakis) who wants to work outside the home, but Nick is fearful that everyone will think he’s a failure. Bea, a budding feminist, reminds him, “This is the ‘90s (1890s) and we’ve got a woman on the throne.” (Queen Victoria.)

Desperate, Nick goes to soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, played by a zany Blake Hammond, who tells him, “I’ve been closed for business due to unforeseen circumstances.” However, wanting to help this struggling theatre person, he goes through a comic trance ritual, hits his forehead a few times and sputters out words like “Cats,” “I see cats,” making hilarious references to other musicals such as “Westside Story and “Les Misérables.” He finally spits out the word “musical,” and encourages Nick to do a play that encompasses singing, dancing, and acting. This is unheard of in 1890s England but Nostradamus assures him that is the direction in which theatre is headed. In one final sputter, he utters the word “eggs” and hence the world’s first musical, “Omelette,” is born where upon their benefactor immediately backs out creating a financial challenge. So while Nigel is penning the text, Nick goes to see Shylock, (well, of course) played by Jeff Brooks. Financing is secured and rehearsals begin with “It’s Eggs!” – a hilarious production number performed by Nick and the ensemble. In the meantime, Shakespeare gets wind of something amiss and disguising himself as one of the actors, scoops up pages of scenes, offering to help by taking them home to critique. What would cross-referencing be without a character named Portia (Autumn Hurlbert.) She is the daughter of Brother Jeremiah, the slightly effete Puritan, ably played by Scott Cote. Portia is smitten with Nigel, which her father forbids. The Bard does a “Shakespeare in the park” number singing the rocking “Will Power,” reminiscent of The Who’s “Tommy.” You will also witness the transition of “Omelette” to “Hamlet” and will be entertained with 19 toe-tapping, spirited production numbers.

Other members of the technical production team are, Peter Hylenski (sound design),

Phil Reno (music direction/conductor), Glen Kelly (arrangements), Larry Hochman (orchestrations), and John Miller, music coordinator.

I’m not giving too much away by saying, “All’s Well That Ends Well,” in this delightful romp through the Renaissance period, which will have you leaving the theatre with a big smile.

L-R: Josh Grisetti and Rob McClure with the cast of “Something Rotten!”
Photos by Jeremy Daniel.
L-R: Blake Hammond and Rob McClure in “Something Rotten!”
Adam Pascal with the cast of “Something Rotten!”
L-R: Rob McClure, Maggie Lakis and Josh Grisetti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Something Rotten!”; Ahmanson Theatre: 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Run: Tuesday – Friday: 8 p.m. Saturday: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Sunday:   1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Added Performances: Wednesday & Thursday 2 p.m., December 27 & 28; Tickets: $30-$140; 213.972.4400 or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org; Closing: December 31, 2017

Related Posts

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @culvercitywlanews...

Los Angeles Fire Department Responds to Multi-Vehicle Collision Involving MTA Bus

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Firefighters and Paramedics Assess 14 Individuals, Transport Several to Hospital Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters and paramedics responded to...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Two Men Charged in Murder of Sidney Barrett Morris at L.A. Live Restaurant

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

DA Gascón Announces Charges; LAPD Chief Choi Expresses Condolences.  Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced murder charges Tuesday...

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Culver City Police Department to Conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Operation

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Operation Targets Hazardous Traffic Violations on the West End The Culver City Police Department announced plans to conduct a high...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Culver City City Council Recap: Bruce Lee Alley, Historical Discrimination Study, Women’s History Month

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Council Deliberates on Racial Equity, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Fire Department Strategic Plan The Culver City Council convened its latest session...