SOMETHING ROTTEN Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 12:44am

Today is Wednesday, April 22, marking the triumphant returns to Broadway for Christian Borle and Brian d'Arcy James, who co-star as theatrical adversaries in the new Broadway musical SOMETHING ROTTEN!, which officially opens at the St. James. The plot centers on two brothers, desperate to write a hit play of their own in Shakespeare's shadow, who end up creating the world's first musical. The cast also features John Cariani, Heidi Blickenstaff, Brad Oscar, Kate Reinders, Brooks Ashmanskas, Peter Bartlett, Gerry Vichi and Michael James Scott. Under the auspice of director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw, the production began previews on March 23.

 

Here's how the musical is billed: "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 and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as 'The Bard.' 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. With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, Something Rotten! is an uproarious dose of pure Broadway fun and an irresistible ode to musicals — those dazzling creations that entertain us, inspire us, and remind us that everything’s better with an exclamation point!"

Post 'em here, kids!

[pboddy]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 2:38am

Hope Something is not rotten to the press corps.

Will one contender for best actor emerge or will the critics go bard hopping?

Sorry, but I awakened from dream of greatest actress in funniest show:

Ethel Mormon.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 6:57am

I'll be curious to see if the critics think it lives up to the hype or if they truly find it to be something rotten.

[MorningGlow2]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:23am

I thoroughly enjoyed the show during previews. It's not the strongest book (especially the second half), but the cast is strong and there's more than enough catchy tunes that you'll be humming out the door.

I predict mostly positive reviews from the critics and some raves. This is one of those feel-good musicals with that promises a fun night at the theater for the average theatergoer and to top it off, a musical celebrating musicals. Personal tastes and strong opinions aside, what's not to like?

[Kad]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:27am

i honestly have no idea which way these reviews will go.

to top it off, a musical celebrating musicals.

Musical theatre and film are the two most self-congratulatory artforms; how many musicals about how great musical theatre is do we need?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 9:29am

What's not to like? This show is more divisive than people here like to think. The dissenting viewers may not post on the boards, but they're out there. 

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 11:40am

Same thing as the Fun Home dissenting viewers...they will be pushed out of the thread if you say something not gushing or praising their chosen show.  At least in Something Rotten previews thread both who liked and disliked the show are posting.  I got my tix to this show and excited to watch in May, good critic reviews or not! (PS: I have no interest in watching FH)

Updated On: 4/22/15 at 11:40 AM

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 12:33pm

Do cast members usually stage door after opening night? Or do they just get ready for the party and press afterwards? I imagine they don't really have time to do it on opening night, but I've never attended one before, so I was curious.

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 12:39pm

My guess - almost certain to be wrong and I hope I am wrong because I might like to see this  - is the reviews will be divided into two camps. The positive consisting of all people who loved it on this board and the negative: Virtually every professional reviewer.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 12:45pm

"how many musicals about how great musical theatre is do we need? "

 

I've been saying this since the show was first announced lol

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 12:54pm

But, see, no one cares about what you say.

[MorningGlow2]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:23pm

"But, see, no one cares about what you say."

Certainly not the majority of theatergoers that keep the show going.

I believe the show will do well regardless of what the critics say, especially once they get some air time leading up to the Tonys. It's far easier to sell than some of the other new shows out there (good/bad aside).

[indytallguy]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:32pm

"Same thing as the Fun Home dissenting viewers...they will be pushed out of the thread if you say something not gushing or praising their chosen show.  At least in Something Rotten previews thread both who liked and disliked the show are posting.  I got my tix to this show and excited to watch in May, good critic reviews or not! (PS: I have no interest in watching FH)"

 If dissenting opinions really are being pushed out, that's disappointing. I'm always up for hearing people who have a different take on a show than mine, particular those that are thoughtful in outlining their likes or dislikes. Obviously, This sucks" or "How can you not live it?" while fine as simple reactions don't do much if you want to advance a conversation.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:41pm

From what I've read on here the show hasn't improved since my review of the preview performance.  When you leave a first act asking "What is this show about?" I think there are problems.  

If Brantley gives it anything other than a pan, I'll be shocked.  

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 1:49pm

http://www.broadway.com/videos/156071/video-theres-a-will-and-a-way-to-see-clips-of-something-rotten/#play

 

Updated On: 4/22/15 at 01:49 PM

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 2:14pm

"From what I've read on here the show hasn't improved since my review of the preview performance.  When you leave a first act asking "What is this show about?" I think there are problems.  

If Brantley gives it anything other than a pan, I'll be shocked.  "

 

I disagree, I saw the first preview and completely knew what the show was about by the end of the first act.  Its the second act that loses it and it doesnt seem to have improved.

I imagine they will be mixed, praise for the first act and the cast, but saying there are problems with Act 2 as from comments on here it doesnt seem much has changed.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 3:53pm

The set looks gorgeous

Posted: 4/22/15 at 6:37pm

amNewYork is mixed to positive

No -- it's not rotten. In fact, it's completely fresh ... "Something Rotten!" begins on an extremely promising note, sustains it throughout act one, and then falters in act two ... even so, "Something Rotten!" is a great deal of cartoonish fun, especially for musical theater fans who can appreciate the inside references ... its cheery songs are enjoyable and hummable ...

SOMETHING ROTTEN theater review -- 3 stars, by Matt Windman

Updated On: 4/22/15 at 06:37 PM

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:11pm

"From what I've read on here the show hasn't improved since my review of the preview performance.  When you leave a first act asking "What is this show about?" I think there are problems.  

If Brantley gives it anything other than a pan, I'll be shocked.  "

I think you should prepare yourself to be shocked.  But finebydesign, you've been wrong about so many predictions before, what should shock you is if you turn out to be right.  And maybe you will be, we'll know in a few hours.  

 

 

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:16pm

TimeOut is up and it's a rave

Something Rotten TONY Review - 5/5 Stars

"And what a cast. If you didn’t already know what a smashing actor and singer Brian D’Arcy James is (he briefly stole the show earlier this year in Hamilton), here is a chance to see him carry a show with wit, fire and some impressive tap moves. Of course with an ensemble this good, the carrying is shared: Cariani squirms adorably; Blickenstaff’s radiant as Nick’s sensible wife; Brooks Ashmanskas as a flouncing, closeted puritan; and Borle as the cocky, narcissistic, plagiarizing Shakespeare. You can bet the Swan of Avon is rolling in his grave—with laughter."

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:19pm

NBC NY is up and it's Very Positive, especially for the performers:

It's the Bottoms on Top in Easygoing Comedy "Something Rotten!"

"“Rotten!” paints musical theater culture in the same broad strokes that the “The Book of Mormon” used to satirize religion—everyone gets to be in on the joke. This new musical makes us do just enough work that we feel satisfied for picking up on them. Go for the production numbers and the big-hearted turns from the leads, whose enthusiasm ultimately proves even more infectious than the plague."

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:22pm

Deadline is up and it's Very Positive, with love for James & Borle:

‘Something Rotten!’ Plays The Bard Card In Broadway Merriment – Review

"It’s entirely possible that I would have had a different reaction had not the show given us the exuberant D’Arcy James in his best role ever, a relief from the stolidness ofNext To Normal and the dour cuckold he played on NBC’s Smash. Ditto Borle, also aSmash grad= and beloved of some, though not me, in Peter and the Starcatcher."

"I may be in the minority for being such a sucker for such base humor but I will say this: One  surefire combination in the art of producing for Broadway is the ability to make audiences feel smart — but not outsmarted — and giddy at the same time. It’s as true for Tom Stoppard as it is for the folks behind The Book Of Mormon and Avenue Q. Anyone who can pull off jabs at Cats and Les Miz at this late hour has tapped into something, you know, not rotten — and the best tonic I can imagine for this endless winter season."

[Drewprecht]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:26pm

Hollywood Reporter is Very Positive:

Smells like a hit, a very palpable hit

"The Shakespearean references come thick and fast, along with the winking nods to a whole plethora of modern musicals, in Something Rotten! But the laughs in this rambunctious comedy by Broadway newcomers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, written with British humorist John O'Farrell and buoyed by a top-drawer cast, don't require comprehensive recall of classical theater or a particular receptiveness for arcane Broadway in-jokes. This is a big, brash meta-musical studiously fashioned in the mold of Monty Python's Spamalot, The Producers and The Book of Mormon, loaded with crowd-pleasing showstoppers, deliciously puerile gags and an infectious love of the form it so playfully skewers."

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:27pm

Best actor in a musical this year seems like it could easily be a James vs. Cervaris contest, which to me, would be great. They're two of my favorites.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:37pm

Who doesn't smell a whopper hit?