Something Rotten!: 17 Fun Facts About the Hilarious Broadway Hit
What happens when you mix Shakespeare, Broadway, and a psychic soothsayer? You get Something Rotten!, the outrageously funny musical that imagines a world where musicals are being invented... in the 1590s.
As we gear up for our production, here are 17 fun facts about the show that will make you even more excited to see it live!
1. A Broadway Debut Decades in the Making
Brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick started developing Something Rotten! in the 1990s, but it took over 20 years to make it to Broadway. It finally premiered in 2015—proof that good things (and great musicals) take time!
2. Shakespeare as a Rock Star? Yes, Please!
In this show, William Shakespeare isn’t just a playwright—he’s a full-blown celebrity, complete with screaming fans, flashy outfits, and an ego the size of the Globe Theatre. His big number, "Will Power," is basically a rock concert in the Renaissance.
3. The First-Ever Musical About Musicals
The show-stopping number "A Musical" hilariously "predicts" the future of theatre, referencing Les Misérables, Annie, A Chorus Line, and more. It’s a love letter to Broadway, wrapped in a Renaissance ruffle.
4. Christian Borle Won a Tony for Playing the Bard
Christian Borle, who originated the role of Shakespeare, won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. His swaggering, leather-clad, self-absorbed Bard is more Mick Jagger than 16th-century poet.
5. A Hidden West Side Story Reference
In "God, I Hate Shakespeare," listen closely—Nick Bottom’s melody mirrors West Side Story’s "America." It’s a nod to how composers (and Shakespeare) often "borrow" from others.
6. The Show Pokes Fun at Shakespeare’s Famous "Inspirations"
Shakespeare was notorious for reworking old tales into his plays, and Something Rotten! has a field day with this, poking fun at how he "steals" ideas for Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet.
7. The Ensemble Does It All
The ensemble plays everything from Puritans to Renaissance-era chorus girls to tap-dancing omelettes. (Yes, really.) Their quick changes and comedic timing are key to the show’s fast-paced humor.
8. Tap Dancing... in the Renaissance?
Speaking of which, the show features a tap number—despite tap dancing not being invented until centuries later. Why? Because Something Rotten! is all about breaking the rules of musical theatre for a laugh.
9. An Ode to Les Misérables
In "A Musical," there’s a dramatic moment where the cast raises a red flag—an unmistakable reference to Les Misérables. It’s one of many Easter eggs for Broadway buffs.
10. The Show Was Almost Called Bottoms Up
During early development, the creators considered naming the show Bottoms Up, a pun on the lead characters' last name, Bottom. Luckily, they landed on Something Rotten!—a clever nod to the famous Hamlet line, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
11. A Full-Circle Moment With Hamlet
In the show, Nick and Nigel Bottom try to predict Shakespeare’s next big hit and come up with Omelette: The Musical. The irony? The real Hamlet includes a play-within-a-play (The Murder of Gonzago), meaning Shakespeare kind of wrote a musical subplot himself!
12. The Show Skipped a Regional Tryout—Rare for Broadway
Something Rotten! was originally scheduled to premiere in Seattle, but buzz around the show was so strong that it went straight to Broadway. That’s almost unheard of for a new musical!
13. A Star-Studded Creative Team
The Kirkpatrick brothers teamed up with British novelist and comedy writer John O’Farrell for the book, and Tony-winning director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin) directed and choreographed.
14. The Logo Has a Shakespearean Easter Egg
Take a close look at the Something Rotten! logo. The exclamation point is shaped like a quill—because Shakespeare’s pen was mightier than the sword (and, apparently, jazz hands).
15. The Show Was a Surprise Smash Hit
Despite being an original musical (which is always a risky Broadway move), Something Rotten! was a massive success. It earned 10 Tony nominations and ran for nearly two years!
16. Shakespeare’s Real Rivals Were Just as Cutthroat
In real life, Shakespeare had plenty of competition, including Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. Something Rotten! reimagines this rivalry, making the Bard into the ultimate Renaissance rock star.
17. It’s a Show for Theatre Nerds
From inside jokes about Shakespearean plays to Broadway references galore, Something Rotten! is packed with humor that theatre lovers will eat up. If you love Shakespeare and musicals, this show is your perfect blend of highbrow and hilariously lowbrow comedy.
Whether you're a Shakespeare buff, a Broadway fanatic, or just love a good laugh, Something Rotten! is a must-see. Don’t miss your chance to experience this riotous, toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud musical live!
Show Dates: June 13-29, 2025
Location: Von Braun Center Playhouse