DORSET – The Dorset Players know how to exit stage left in spectacular manner. And so for the closing show of their 98th season – an historic run to 100 which is a rare feat in American theater – the Players are staging one of the grand spectacles of musical comedy: “Something Rotten!”
The show, with music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, and book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, has long been described in pop culture as “a comedic love letter to the Great White Way.” This production is directed and choreographed by the inimitable Renee Wymer, assisted by Dana Haley, with musical direction by Lorri Bond. The producer was the ruthlessly efficient Lynne Worth.
Set in South London in 1595, the plot follows struggling playwright brothers Nick (Michael Giordano) and Nigel (John Lee) Bottom, who are desperate to outshine the era’s ultimate rock star William Shakespeare (Josh Bond).
When local soothsayer Nostradamus (Mary Jo Greco) accidentally foresees that the future of the performing arts requires singing, acting, and dancing simultaneously, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world’s very first musical. All the while, a forbidden romance buds between Nigel and Puritan maiden Portia (Wymer), often overshadowed by her insufferable father Brother Jeremiah (Mark McChesney).
In the ensuing melee, they are joined closely and frequently by the Minstrel (Lina Cloffe), Lady Clapham (Julie Newirth Redington), Shylock (Jonathan Nachman), Bea Bottom (Rayleen Carangio-Speirs).
A number of the above also played roles in the considerable ensemble, which included: Lorri Bond, Donna Ciulla, Maria Cummins, Roberta Devlin-Scherer, Alayna Jackson Grant, Tim Haley, Dana Haley, Aidan Kennedy, Winslow Lee, Margaret McChesney, Becky Nawrath, Carolynne Record, Michael Robinson, Ali Rodrigues, and Ross Vander Peut.
Giordano’s Nick is stellar being desperate and high-energy, playing beautifully opposite Lee’s earnest and disarming Nigel. The two anchor the show, grounding the comedy with a genuine, brotherly heart.
No rival could be more farcically charismatic than Bond’s Shakespeare, who oozes 16th-century stud muffin appeal. Bond perfectly captures the pompous yet magnetic genius the Bottom brothers are desperately trying to dethrone.
Meanwhile, Greco brings brilliant, zany comedic timing to Nostradamus, delivering a standout, showstopping forecast of the future of the arts. She is matched by the hilarious supporting cast: Cloffe’s ubiquitous Minstrel, and Redington’s wonderfully posh flair as Clapham.
On the romantic and rebellious front, Carangio-Speirs’ Bea is a force of nature, bringing a feisty, independent edge to the chaos. Wymer – who seemingly can do anything on stage – delivers a charmingly sweet performance as Portia, whose forbidden romance with Nigel—and subsequent defiance of her puritanical father, the laughingly stiff and stuffy McChesney as Brother Jeremiah—provides this show with its romantic soul. Rounding out the lead group, Nachman’s wisely observant Shylock brings grounded reality to the entire affair.
The entire cast joyfully embraced their roles, showcasing the expert comedic timing born of director Wymer’s meticulous preparation, and the seamless stage management by Dylan Galante and Laura Schroeder.
Furthermore, the Players’ technical crew continues its winning streak, producing work that would easily make professional theater companies jealous.
Costumes: Suzi Dorgeloh, Star Kemmer, LouAnn Savoyski, Laura Schroeder, and Cherie Thompson. Set Design: David McAneney with mind melds of Annie Nash and crew sweat equity from Steve Holman, Errol Hill, Rich Savoyski, Colin Hill, and Michael Robinson.
In addition, lights design: David V. Groupe; board, Miles Bond and Ari Santos, and crew: Angie Merwin, and the Lee family. Sound by Brian Miksis. Finally, scenic art was by Stacy Eileen, and Wren Schmidt addressed all backstage matters.
The grand extravaganza of acting intermixed with 20 song and dance numbers ran for 2 hours, with a 15-minute intermission.
In the midst of so much praise for a highly intricate and entertaining production, I can also attest to one thing here: when the final curtain fell on “Something Rotten!” and the packed opening night house jumped to its feet for a rousing standing ovation that didn’t seem to want to end, I was, quite literally, out of breath.
And if you stop to think about it, that’s exactly how an audience member should feel after spending a few hours tapping feet, rocking to the rhythm, and bursting into enthusiastic applause or laughter every few minutes.
Simply put, “Something Rotten!” is a veritable feast for the senses, and that reason is enough for you to call the Players box office, snap up the rapidly dwindling ticket supply, and make the trip to beautiful Dorset for an evening or a matinee of late-spring entertainment.
“Something Rotten!” by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, and John O’Farrell, directed and choreographed by Renee Wymer, assisted by Dana Haley, with musical direction by Lorri Bond and produced by Lynne Worth, will run through May 24 at the Dorset Players, 104 Cheney Rd. in Dorset. Tickets: call the box office at 802-867-5777 or visit dorsetplayers.org
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