'Something Rotten!' at the Academy of Music

The cast of "Something Rotten!"

“Something Rotten!” is a zany mashup that has a grand time with Shakespeare and the Renaissance. It showcases why audiences love musical theater.

Set in the 1590s, this hilarious musical, now at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony nominee Rob McClure and Broadway’s Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the "rock star" Shakespeare (Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits.

Conceived by brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, this musical brings us to the Renaissance but it's’ edgy comedy, asynchronous dance numbers and quick-witted dialogue keeps the audiences in the spirit of today.

The Bottom brothers, although talented in their own right, can’t seem to get ahead in the theater world because of “The Bard’s” popularity and their frustration is brought out in song frequently. This Broadway production keeps all the irreverent humor, and delivers jokes “to the groundlings” with great comedic timing.

When Nick asks a local soothsayer, Nostradamus (Blake Hammond) 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. The scene with Hammond singing about the history of musicals is one of the funniest parts of the show. It’s a medley of samples from “West Side Story,” “Lion King,” “Mary Poppins,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and more, that together explains the appeal of musical theater while making sure to poke fun at themselves.

Three of the principal actors from the Broadway show are now onstage in the current production. Philadelphia’s own McClure as Nick Bottom, Pascal as Shakespeare and Grisetti as Nigel Bottom. The touring cast also features Maggie Lakis as Bea, Hammond as Nostradamus, Autumn Hurlbert as Portia, Scott Cote as Brother Jeremiah and Jeff Brooks as Shylock. Philadelphia native Lakis also happens to be married (in real life) to McClure.

Many in the audience were excited to see Pascal, who originated the role of Roger Davis in Jonathan Larson’s 1996 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Rent.” While Pascal had the look and the swagger of the confident Shakespeare, it was difficult to understand the lyrics while he sang “Will Power.”

McClure is engaging as he searches for the next great play, as well as during scenes with his wife Lakis (Bea). Singing "Right Hand Man," Lakis is fantastic and someone I wish appeared in more of the show. With her high-pitched voice and spunky attitude Hurlbert (Portia) steals the attention from her love interest, the puppy dog Grisetti (Nigel Bottom).

While the musical seems to run out of steam by the end of the two-hour show, it definitely delivers on the laughs and dance numbers. With a mix of countless codpieces, the Bard and mutton, "Welcome to the Renaissance."

Adam Pascal as Shakespeare.

If you go: “Something Rotten!” at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets in Philadelphia, continues: Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Running time: Two hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.

Recommended ages: Appropriate for ages eight and older.