by David Hermanson, Staff Writer, January 2022
If you’re enticed by sophomoric humor mixed with a hint of AP Euro, oh boy, then is this year’s musical the show for you. After a reserved production during COVID last year, the NTC is returning to its former glory with a bombastic performance full of explosive musical numbers such as “A Musical,” “God, I Hate Shakespeare” and “Hard to be the Bard.”
For those unfamiliar, Something Rotten tells the story of two brothers, Nick and Nigel, and their quest to write a hit show during the English Renaissance. After continuous failures, in part due to the success of William Shakespeare, Nick decides to visit a soothsayer, Nostradomus, so as to predict what the future of theater will be. In doing so, Nick and Nigel embark on a tumultuous journey to create the world’s first smash-hit musical.
The revolutionary production boasts an artistic staff including direction by Dan Halperin, music direction by Nhung Truong-Lustig, Choreography by Jillian Kinard, Scenic Design by Erik Diaz, Costume Design by Danielle Sumi, Orchestra Conducting by Antonio Berdugo and Dramaturgy by Talya Sokoll. Additionally, theater enthusiast Michael Polebaum was.
Something Rotten will premiere on February 17th at 6:30 pm in Vinik Theater. Following performances will be on February 18th (6:30 pm), February 19th (2:00 pm), February 24th (5:30 pm) and February 25th (6:30 pm.)
This show is a fantastic way to end your week with a light yet entertaining plot, a boatload of songs and jokes, and a whole lot of codpieces.
The company list below highlights all the students involved!
Actors in one role:
Nick …………………………….Chris Tillen
Bea……………………………. Molly Hughes
Nigel ……………………………David Hermanson
Portia……………………………Madi Shaer
Shakespeare …………………..Gavin Swartz
Nostradamus …………………..Zach Green
Actors in one role and ensemble:
Brother Jeremiah………………..Jacob Casper
Minstrels ………………………..Rhodes Martinez, Alejandra Mendez
Shylock………………………….Alex Janower
Lord Clapham……………………Will Grimes
The Troupe
Francis Flute……………………Max Daniello
Robin…………………………….Lauren Velasco-O’Donovan
Tom Snout………………………Drew Johnstone
Peter Quince …………………..Ava Neal
Snug…………………………….Arnav Harve
Master of Justice/ ……………..Octavia Reohr
Ensemble
Tap Dancers
Chinua “CJ” Achebe, Emilie Andrews, Sofia Branco (Tap Captain), Max Daniello, Shannon Day, Elisa Fitzgerald, Alex Janower, Tyler Lysko, Octavia Reohr, Emma Thomas
Lauren Velasco-O’Donovan
Angelica Anousis, Irini Kolovos, Danielle Frankel, Lucy Johnson, Brooke
Johnstone, Madeleine Li, Justin Lowry, Sydney Morrison, Lindsay Popeo, Grant Richmond, Sofia Samuels, Zoe Sims-Rhodes (Dance Captain), Dune Streeter, Jonathan Tillen, Charlotte Waldert
Stage Managers…………..Larkin Gifford, Jackie Zhang
Assistant Director…………Amelia Simons
Technical Theater
Costumes
Melanie Morales Alvarez, Alyvia Woods, Karina Cruz, Hermione Arias Soto, Valentina Chukwu, Raquel Frankel, Nina Rosa
Carpentry
Acey Sheehan, Sam Witonsky, Wudiana Fevrier, Estelle Feinberg, Justice Hickman Maynard, Gavin Richard, Eli Schotland, James Lu, Sally Nagle, Nathan Nozea, Alex Stein
Lighting
Armaan Bhojwani, Eli Schotland, Nathan Nozea, James Lu
Scenic Painting
Helen Cui, Thomas Lu, Kai Neal, Ashley Luo, Emily Bao
Pit Band
Bella Kong, Eva Yu, Arav Santhanam, Kevin Huang, Dorothy Zhang, Kajsa Harrington, Emily Zhang, Sam Soukas, Noanddi Manigat
