|
Regional Reviews: Phoenix Something Rotten!
Set in the Renaissance, the plot follows brothers and playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom as they struggle to find success in the shadow of William Shakespeare, the rock star of the era. Desperate to write a hit show, Nick spends the only money the family has to consult a soothsayer named Thomas Nostradamus to find out what Shakespeare's biggest hit will be in order to best the Bard by writing it first. However, not everything goes as planned when Nostradamus doesn't exactly predict the title of the show correctly, and also forecasts that the future of theatre will involve singing, dancing, and acting all at once, leading the Bottom Brothers to clumsily create the world's first musical. Chaos, rivalry, and romance ensue as Nick tries to outshine Shakespeare, Nigel falls for the sweet and innocent Puritan, Portia, and their lives are all turned upside down due to Nick's quest for fame and fortune. The book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell is filled with sharp wit, clever wordplay, and a treasure trove of references to both Shakespearean works and classic Broadway shows, creating a fast-paced and hilarious story. The score by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick blends catchy melodies with smart, comedic lyrics, delivering showstopping numbers like "A Musical" that both celebrate and lovingly poke fun at the traditions of musical theatre. Together, the book and score create a fresh, inventive, and delightfully entertaining homage to musicals, acting, Shakespeare, and the stage. The characters are distinct and well written and the Spotlight cast shine in bringing them to life. Nick Bottom is both flawed and endearing as he schemes to best Shakespeare and he's played with great comic frustration and determination by Calvin Corey. As Nigel Bottom, the quieter and more poetic brother, Theodore McComb brings a heartfelt sincerity and a strong sense of warmth and vulnerability. Dominic DeMark is a flamboyant delight as Shakespeare, the self-absorbed superstar whose swagger and constant conceitedness earn big laughs. Corey, McComb and DeMark all shine brightly as these very different characters, with good comic timing and solid stage presences. Bea, Nick's supportive wife, is portrayed with plucky resolve and strong comedic instincts by Darcy Sylvester, while Meredith Arends is charming and full of youthful optimism as Portia, Nigel's love interest. As Nostradamus, Brooklyn Martin is excellent and a true scene-stealer, delivering every prediction and misstep with perfect comic timing and a constant quirky flair that gets big laughs. Sylvester, Arends, and Martin all have fantastic singing voices. The large ensemble cast create an assortment of zany supporting characters, including Hunter Schneider as Portia's rigid, bible-thumping father and David Castro II as Shylock, the moneylender. Van Rockwell's direction features sharply paced scenes that allow the humor to land while also keeping the heart of the story front and center. The musical numbers are staged fairly well, with just the right amount of movement in Bella Swope's choreography to create energy without being too overwhelming. The music direction by Kendra Goodenberger delivers fresh vocals from the cast. While a few members of the ensemble may not be stellar singers or dancers, they all elicit a great deal of enthusiasm and appear to be having a whole lot of fun bringing this zany story to life. Brianna Funk and Becky Funk's set is simple but effective, with a few static pieces that resemble Tudor-style buildings and several small, movable items that suggest the period without cluttering the stage. The costumes by Samantha Utpadel are colorful and fittingly Renaissance-inspired, with great hair and make-up designs by Ixy Utpadel. Spotlight Youth Theatre's production of Something Rotten! is a delightful reminder of how talented and hardworking youth performers can be and how, with sharp direction and colorful creative elements, they can deliver a winning production of a musical comedy gem. Something Rotten! runs through September 21, 2025, at Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N 43rd Avenue, Glendale AZ. Tickets and information can be found at http://www.spotlightyouththeatre.org/ or by calling 602.843.8318 Director: Van Rockwell Cast: (in alphabetical order) |
