Making the World's First Musical! Meet the Full Cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN!, Opening Tonight on Broadway

By: Apr. 22, 2015
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The new musical comedy Something Rotten!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O'Farrell, officially opens on Broadway tonight, April 22, 2015 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!

Something Rotten! stars Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek), Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher), Tony Award nominee John Cariani (Fiddler on the Roof), Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Kate Reinders (Wicked), Tony Award nominee Brooks Ashmanskas (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me), Peter Bartlett (Cinderella), Gerry Vichi (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Michael James Scott (The Book of Mormon).

Something Rotten!'s ensemble also features Elizabeth Earley (Mary Poppins tour), Eric Giancola (The Book of Mormon), Linda Griffin (The Drowsy Chaperone), David Hibbard (Elf), Jenny Hill (Spamalot), Stacey Todd Holt (Rocky), Courtney Iventosch (Wicked tour), Aaron Kaburick (Motown The Musical), Austin Lesch (Violet), Beth Johnson Nicely (Bullets Over Broadway), Aleks Pevec (Aladdin), Angie Schworer (Big Fish), Eric Sciotto (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Brian Shepard (Young Frankenstein), Chelsea Morgan Stock (Sister Act), Ryan VanDenBoom (Annie), Matt Wall (Annie), Marisha Wallace (Aladdin), and Bud Weber (Aladdin).

Welcome to the '90s -- the 1590s -- long before the dawn of premium tickets, star casting and reminders to turn off your cell phones. Brothers Nick (d'Arcy James) and Nigel Bottom (Cariani) are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as "The Bard" (Borle). When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! But amidst the scandalous excitement of Opening Night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self... and all that jazz.

BRIAN D'ARCY JAMES
(Nick Bottom)

Brian d'Arcy James recently finished shooting Tom McCarthy's upcoming feature film Spotlight, alongside Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams as the four member Boston Globe "Spotlight" team, who won the Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the Boston Archdiocese Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. He will also be seen in the upcoming Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy Sisters. Brian is a two time Tony Award® nominee for his title role performance in Shrek the Musical (Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award winner) and as Sidney Falco in Sweet Smell of Success. He will next appear as King George in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical Hamilton at the Public Theater. Brian also starred in The Public Theater's Giant. At Lincoln Center, he appeared as Banquo in Macbeth directed by Jack O'Brien alongside Ethan Hawke. He earned rave reviews on Broadway in the play Time Stands Still opposite Laura Linney, Christina Ricci and Eric Bogosian and originated the role of Dan Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal Off Broadway before reprising his role on Broadway. He is also an OBIE Award winner for his appearance in Conor McPherson's The Good Thief. Other Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include The Wild Party, Port Authority (Lucille Lortel Award), The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Titanic, Carousel and Blood Brothers. Film work includes Time Out of Mind, Admission, Bird in a Box, Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Game Change, Friends with Kids and Ghost Town. On television he is perhaps most well known for co-starring in the NBC series "Smash" as Frank Houston opposite Debra Messing. He most recently appeared on "Law & Order: SVU." Other credits include the F/X pilot "Hoke" starring Paul Giamatti, "Ironside," CBS's "The Good Wife," recurring on Showtime's "The Big C" starring Laura Linney, "Person of Interest," "Rescue Me" and "Cashmere Mafia."

CHRISTIAN BORLE
(The Bard)

Broadway: Peter and the Starcatcher (Tony Award), Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Amour, Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (PBS' "Live at Lincoln Center"), Angels in America (Signature Theatre), Elegies: A Song Cycle (Lincoln Center), On The Town and Little Me (City Center Encores!). Television: "Smash," "Masters of Sex," "The Good Wife," "Sofia The First," Disney Junior's "Lucky Duck," "The Sound of Music Live!," "Peter Pan Live!" Film: The Bounty Hunter, Michael Mann's upcoming Blackhat.

JOHN CARIANI
(Nigel Bottom)

Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof (Tony Award nomination.; OCC Award). Off-Broadway includes: Almost, Maine (Transport Group); Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Public/NYSF); Modern Orthodox. Regional includes: Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, Center Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Television: several guest stars including "The Good Wife," and "Homeland;" recurring roles on "Law & Order," "Numb3rs," and "The Onion News Network." Recent film: Deliver Us From Evil, Sleeping With the Fishes, Elephant Sighs, Child of Grace. Playwright: Almost, Maine; Last Gas; LOVE/SICK.

HEIDI BLICKENSTAFF
(Bea)

Broadway: The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), [title of show] (Heidi), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Ursula), The Full Monty. Off-Broadway and other New York: [title of show] and Now. Here. This. at The Vineyard Theatre andThe Most Happy Fella (Cleo) at City Center Encores!. Regional productions include Elf (Emily Hobbs) at The Paper Mill Playhouse, Dog and Pony (Jane/Bonnie) at The Old Globe, Next to Normal (Diana) at The Weston Playhouse, First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb at The Kennedy Center and Signature Theatre, and Meet John Doe (Ann) at Ford's Theatre (Helen Hayes Award). Heidi has performed extensively in concert at venues including Carnegie Hall, The 92Y, Merkin Hall, 54 Below, and Joe's Pub. She is a Duke University graduate.

BRAD OSCAR
(Nostradamus)

Broadway: Big Fish, Nice Work if You Can Get It, The Producers, (Tony Award nomination), The Addams Family, Spamalot, Jekyll & Hyde, Aspects of Love. National Tour: The Phantom of the Opera, Young Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde. West End: The Producers. Off Broadway: Forbidden Broadway, The Body Beautiful, Encores! Bells Are Ringing and Do Re Mi, directed and performed in Broadway by the Year 1931 and 1968 at Town Hall. Regional: Fiddler on the Roof (Barrington Stage), Barnum (Asolo Rep/Maltz Jupiter- Carbonell Award, Best Actor in a Musical), The Mystery of Irma Vep, Cabaret and Damn Yankees (Arena Stage), The First Wives Club (Old Globe), Moonlight and Magnolias (Cape Playhouse) Annie (TOTS, Atlanta). Film: Ghost Town, The Producers. Television: "Smash," "The Good Wife" and three "Law & Orders."

KATE REINDERS
(Portia)

Broadway: Wicked (Broadway and Original Chicago Company, Jefferson Award nomination); Gypsy (with Bernadette Peters, Sam Mendes, Dir.); Good Vibrations; Into the Woods (2002 Revival, James Lapine, Director); The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Scott Ellis, Dir.). Off-Broadway: A Year with Frog and Toad (Original Cast Recording). Regional: Party Come Here (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Nerds (New York Stage & Film), Hair (Bay Street). Television: Series regular on "Work It" (ABC), "Sherri" (Lifetime); guest star on "Anger Management," "Modern Family," "Ugly Betty." Film: Russell Madness, Grudge Match, Such Good People, Certainty, Kinsey. Comedy: Singing/songwriting duo TASTiSKANK (with Sarah Litzsinger; 2007 Breakout Award HBO Comedy Arts Festival).

BROOKS ASHMANSKAS
(Brother Jeremiah)

Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway (Susan Stroman, dir.); Promises, Promises (Rob Ashford, dir.); Present Laughter (Nicholas Martin, dir.); The Ritz (Joe Mantello, dir.); Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (Scott Wittman, dir; Tony Award, Drama Desk nominations); The Producers (Susan Stroman, dir.); Gypsy (Sam Mendes, dir.); Little Me (Rob Marshall, dir.); Dream (Wayne Cilento, dir.); How To Succeed...(1996; Des McAnuff, dir.). Off-Broadway: Wise Guys (Sam Mendes, dir.); On A Clear Day... (Mark Brokaw, dir.); Labor Day (Jack O'Brien, dir.); London Suite (Daniel Sullivan, dir.); Songs For A New World (Daisy Prince, dir.). Regional: Ford's, Mark Taper, A.C.T., Williamstown, Huntington, McCarter, Hartford, Kennedy Center, Old Globe, Arena, Hangar. Tours: Cinderella, Noises Off. Film: Julie and Julia (Nora Ephron, dir.). Television: "The Good Wife." BA from Bennington College.

PETER BARTLETT
(Lord Clapham / Judge)

Broadway: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, A Free Man of Color, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Frogs, Beauty and the Beast, Never Gonna Dance, Boom Boom Room. Off-Broadway: The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told (Drama Desk nomination), The Illusion, The New Century. Regional: La Jolla, Williamstown, Guthrie, ATL, Theatre in the Square (Jeffrey/Drama-Logue and Bay Area Critics Circle Awards). Film: The Princess and the Frog, Meet the Parents, The Producers, Jeffrey. Television: "The Big C," "Law and Order," "One Life to Live" (20 years as Nigel).

GERRY VICHI
(Shylock)

Gerry Vichi returns to the Broadway musical stage following memorable turns in the hit comedies Curtains and The Drowsy Chaperone. He made his Broadway debut in 1981 in the original cast of Woman of the Year. Other Broadway credits include Annie Get Your Gun, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Anything Goes and Ain't Broadway. He was featured as the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz and Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, both at Madison Square Garden and appeared with Bill Irwin in Scapin at Roundabout Theater Company. Regional credits include Minsky's (Ahmanson Theatre); 1776 (Williamstown); No, No, Nanette and Very Good Eddie (Goodspeed Opera House); Galileo and A Servant of Two Masters (Baltimore Stage). Films include City Hall, Just My Luck and Spike Lee's Inside Man. He is also an abstract expressionist painter.

MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT
(Minstrel / Ensemble)

Michael James Scott is best known for originating the role of Dr. Gostwana (aka "The Maggots Guy") in The Book of Mormon and most recently was seen playing "The Blue Guy" as the original standby for the The Genie in Disney's Aladdin. Broadway: Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Tarzan, Hair and Elf. West End: Assoc. Choreo Hair. Other: standby/perf'd for Ben Vereen Fosse (int'l tour), Here's to Joe opposite Donna McKechnie, Jerry Springer: The Opera (Carnegie Hall). Jersey Boys (Original Last Vegas Cast), Donkey in Shrek (The Muny).

ELIZABETH EARLEY
(Swing)

Broadway Debut! Tours: Mary Poppins (1st & 2nd National; Dance Captain), Whistle Down the Wind (Dance Captain). Regional Highlights: Kennedy Center's Ragtime, Maltz Jupiter's A Chorus Line (Cassie), Finger Lakes MTF's Mary Poppins (Mary)...NYU Grad: CAP21, ETW, Classical Studio. God, Family, EMT, & Judy Boals Talent: immeasurable gratitude.

ERIC GIANCOLA
(Ensemble)

Broadway: The Book of Mormon (swing), Mamma Mia! (swing). Broadway Tours: The Book of Mormon (Dance Captain/swing), Mary Poppins (u/s Robertson Aye, Valentine), Mamma Mia! (swing/Assistant Dance Captain). Regional faves: Goodspeed and MSMT. NYU grad. Make an Omelette.

LINDA GRIFFIN
(Ensemble)

Happy wife, loving mother, avid cook and lazy gardener. Certified Horticulturist. 30 years of show business; proud member of Actors Equity. Broadway/NY: The Drowsy Chaperone, Anyone Can Whistle. Tours: Wicked, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Beauty & The Beast. Regional: Minsky's, The Producers, Mary Poppins, Parfumerie. Bert & Lindy (Ukulele Duo).

DAVID HIBBARD
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Elf (Matthews), Billy Elliot, Spamalot (Patsy); A Class Act (Bobby/ Michael Bennett); Once Upon A Mattress (Jester); Cats (Rum Tum Tugger) - 2,197 performances. Off- Broadway: Disaster! (Tony). Tons of regional theatre, numerous television and radio commercials & documentary narrations. Music Education degree -The Ohio State University, Teacher - CAP21 Studios.

JENNY HILL
(Ensemble)

Original Broadway Companies: Suessical - Gertrude McFuzz u/s, Spamalot - Lady of the Lady u/s, Elf - Jovie and Deb u/s, Wonderful Town - Helen (City Center) and Disney's Aida. 1st National Touring Company of Kiss Me Kate - Lois/Bianca. The Metropolitan Opera - The Merry Widow - Margot (with Placido Domingo). Background vocalist for Clay Aiken's "On My Way Here."

STACEY TODD HOLT
(Ensemble)

Stacey Todd Holt was last seen on Broadway in Rocky. Prior credits include Elf (X2), Cry-Baby, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Contact, Big, Crazy For You. National Tour credits include C4U, Contact, and Young Frankenstein. His TV appearances range from "Great Performances" on PBS to launching chicken strips for Wendy's.

COURTNEY IVENTOSCH
(Swing)

Broadway Debut! Credits: Wicked Tours (Nessarose u/s, ensemble), On The Town (Ivy Smith, 5th Avenue), Brigadoon (Jean MacLaren, Sacramento Music Circus). Huge love and thanks to Pam, Deb, Bob, Janie, Mindy, NetApp team, and the Garber Agency. Endless love and gratitude to Ari, Joel, Mama, and Dad! This is for you!

AARON KABURICK
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Motown, Sister Act, Billy Elliot. National tours: Billy Elliot, Annie and The Full Monty. Regional: St. Louis Muny, North Carolina Theatre, and New Harmony. College: Boston University (Economics). Hometown: Carlinville, IL. Thank you to Casey, the Kirkpatricks and every single teacher who helped me get here!

AUSTIN LESCH
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Billy Elliot, Violet. Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz. New York City Center Encores!: Violet. National Tour: Altar Boyz. TV/Film: "Peter Pan Live!,"Across the Universe. Graduate of the Boston Conservatory. Much love and thanks to family and friends.

BETH JOHNSON NICELY
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, White Christmas, 42nd Street (1st Nat'l). Encores! On Your Toes. Favorite Regional: Minsky's (Ahmanson), Robin & 7 Hoods (Old Globe), The Muny. Radio City Rockette. TV: "SNL,""30 Rock," "Jimmy Fallon." Love to Mom & Adam. Thanks Casey!

ALEKS PEVEC
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Catch Me if You Can, Evita, Aladdin. Tours: Wicked, White Christmas. The Who's Tommy (Tommy) in Los Angeles. Regional: Pippin, Rocky Horror Picture Show. Much love to his family. This one is for his dad.

ANGIE SCHWORER
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, The Producers (Ulla), Young Frankenstein, Chicago, Sunset Boulevard, Crazy for You, Annie Get Your Gun, The Will Rogers Follies. Met: The Merry Widow. TV: "Smash," "Law and Order: CI," "Queer Eye," "As the World Turns," "The Kennedy Center Honors." Film: The Producers.

ERIC SCIOTTO
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Annie Get Your Gun, Aida, Sweet Smell of Success, Sweet Charity, 42nd Street, Cry-Baby, A Chorus Line, Pal Joey, Rock of Ages, Priscilla..., and ...Drood. Regional: A Chorus Line (Zach), Footloose (Ren), Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), Aida (Radames), and Seven Brides (Frank). Love to David, Samson, and Olympia!

BRIAN SHEPARD
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Follies, Guys & Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun, & Peter Pan. Favorite recent regional roles include: Phil, White Christmas; Bud Frump, How To Succeed; Bert, Mary Poppins; Chip, On the Town; & Cosmo Brown, Singin' in the Rain. Brian lives in Brooklyn with his exquisitely wonderful wife, Amy Spanger.

CHELSEA MORGAN STOCK
(Ensemble)

Broadway: The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Baby It's You (MaryJane standby), Sister Act (Mary Robert u/s). Regional: Goodspeed (Annie Get Your Gun, Winnie; and Good News, Connie), NSMT/Cape Playhouse (Footloose, Ariel), DSM (Little Mermaid, Ariel), Sacramento Music Circus (Chorus Line, Maggie). Thanks to Christopher. Love to Family. For Deaton.

RYAN VANDENBOOM
(Ensemble)

Ryan VanDenBoom, a Michigan native, is thrilled to be a part of Something Rotten! Previously Ryan appeared in the latest Broadway revival of Annie at the Palace Theatre. He has toured the country and abroad performing with symphony orchestras as a soloist in Here To Stay: The Gershwin Experience. Alumni of NYU and CAP21, he thanks his family and teachers for their continued support.

MATT WALL
(Swing)

Broadway: Annie; Evita; How To Succeed...; Promises, Promises; South Pacific; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 110 in the Shade; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Follies; Saturday Night Fever. TV: "The Good Wife," "Peter Pan Live." Film: The Intern, Ted 2. BFA, The Boston Conservatory.

MARISHA WALLACE
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Disney's Aladdin (Fortune Teller/OBC). National Tour: Book of Mormon (1st National). Film/TV: Disney's Frozen Fever. Off-Broadway: Sistas!. Regional: Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), One Night with Janis Joplin (Blues Singer), Dreamgirls (Effie). ECU alum! Thanks to God, Mom, Family, Casey, and love Dom!

BUD WEBER
(Ensemble)

Bud is thrilled to be joining the company of Something Rotten! A graduate of Boston Conservatory, his previous credits include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Aladdin. Big thank you to Casey and the creative team, Abrams Artists, and his family and friends for their continued love and support.



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