Berkshire on Stage

As someone privileged to see the original Broadway production of Something Rotten in 2015, starring Brian D’Arcy James and Tony winner Christian Borle, I was excited to have the chance to see this satirical musical again. Yet, I tempered my expectations for the outdoor production offered by Playhouse Stage Company in Albany, NY, starring only one Equity Actor. I needn’t have. I was every bit as entertained and wowed by this excellent cast, expertly directed by Michael Lo Porto.

‘Welcome To the Renaissance’ opens the show which takes place in the late 1500’s. When an opening number immediately grabs the audience and makes us laugh, with each cast member a triple threat of dancing, singing and performing skills, we know we can sit back and enjoy the musical.

We are introduced to William Shakespeare, the Paul McCartney/ Elton John/Elvis Presley of his time, complete with screaming fans and mass adoration. Dressed in leather, and far cooler than we have ever imagined the Bard, Steve Raymond embodies Shakespeare with talent and cockiness, soaking up the endless praise, basking in shouts of ‘We want Will!’ and ‘Will-Power!’

We also meet brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, playwrights and poets attempting to write the next great play. Nick (Vincent DiPeri), the older brother, is desperate to best Shakespeare whom he fired from his acting troupe yet went on to great success. Nigel (Daniel Jameson), on the other hand, admires Shakespeare and longs to have his talent. Both are eager to procure investors for their play and long to come up with a winning plot.

Desperate for an idea, Nick goes to Nostradamus (Marc Christopher), a soothsayer, to help him determine a hit-winning direction before Shakespeare does. Nostradomus foresees writing a musical, a form of theater never tried before. His description of the unheard of singing and dancing which moves the plot along keeps us in stitches. We soon see that his exact title and storyline is somewhat off from what we know to be a great Shakespearean tragedy.

Along the way, we meet Nick’s wife, Bea (Molly Rose McGrath), a symbol of early feminism, determined to show her husband she is strong and capable and able to help him support their growing family. And, we are introduced to Portia (Anna Sprau), a love interest for Nigel, who sees into his soul and delights in his poetry. She is the daughter of a strict Puritan minister, Brother Jeremiah (Brandon Jones), who views all theater as blasphemous and intends to keep Nigel and Portia apart.

Shakespeare, needing to keep his star status, goes into disguise to infiltrate Nick’s acting troupe, sabotage the performance and gain access to the new plot. 

Meanwhile, Nigel realizes ‘To thine own self be true’ is the only way to write a winning play, as we see him begin to separate from his brother and develop his own ideas, while pursuing Portia.

It helps to be familiar with Shakespeare’s characters and famous lines as they are sprinkled generously throughout the production in humorous, clever ways. Double entendres abound. Similarly, knowledge of musical theater is essential as Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick reference no less than 20 musicals. I counted.

As Shakespeare, Raymond is outstanding in both his singing and dancing talent and gift for humor. Deviously, he shows his insecurity and possible willingness to ‘borrow’ from other talent when writing his work. Given the current doubts many scholars have about the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays, we understand Shakespeare’s worries and concerns.

DiPeri and Jameson play perfect Bottom brothers, the older, weary and anxious, the younger, innocent and eager. Yet, both have great voices and dance skills, with Jameson having a wonderful falsetto. They are determined to have ‘their bottoms be on top.’

In fact, the entire ensemble, along with the leads, are adept at every style of dance, including tap, jazz, and contemporary in splendid choreography by AshleySimone Kirchner. Behind the stage is a wonderful nine-piece orchestra conducted by Brian Axford. What a treat to have live music accompany magnificent dance and harmonies.

Christopher, as Nostradomus, gets the funniest lines and the biggest laughs. His delivery is over-the-top, yet just right. We look forward to his presence on stage.

McGrath and Sprau, as the female leads, are perfection. McGrath, as Bea, is loving, strong voiced and comical in her disguises. Sprau, as Portia, is sincere, endearing, easily lovable and develops in being true to herself. Her sweet voice matches her character’s gentility.

Jones, as the no-fun Brother Jeremiah, scares the other characters with his voice of doom, yet springs to life in a dream sequence, dancing, laughing and singing with the ensemble.

Director LoPorto keeps the cast moving at a swift pace, including transporting set pieces designed by Jeffrey T. Perri Jr. and Lewis Bethune. Playhouse Stage Company benefits from a large stage painted in a Renaissance motif, with a backdrop in the shape of a sun, designed with a perimeter of medieval homes. The visuals match the talent.

Costumes, designed by Gina Kowalski, are plentiful, from Renaissance corsets and pantaloons, to conservative Puritan dress, to Elizabethan collars, to numerous outfits for the musical within the musical.

In an outdoor setting, punctuated by airplanes, helicopters, police sirens, firecrackers, and barking dogs, sound designer Tommy Rosati mics everyone sufficiently, enabling all characters to be heard. At one point, when Shakespeare’s headset microphone failed, a costumed stagehand appeared and handed him a mic. Impressive efficiency and team play help the show go on.

Lighting design, by P.J. Davis, works masterfully as the sun sets, the characters appear in spotlight, the stage is well lit, with light peeking through the set windows.

While some worry Shakespeare is difficult to understand, or fear they will be bored, two hours fly by in Something Rotten, with this super talented young cast. We are left grinning ear to ear. Playhouse Stage Company easily hits it out of Washington Park.

Playhouse Stage Company presents “Something Rotten,” music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, directed by Michael LoPresto, presented June 29-July 22, 2023 at the Park Playhouse in Albany’s Washington Park. CAST: Vincent DiPeri as Nick Bottom, Daniel Jameson as Nigel Bottom, Molly Rose McGrath as Bea Bottom; Steven Raymond as Will Shakespeare, Anna Sprau as Portia, Brandon Jones as Brother Jeremiah, Marc Christopher as Nostradamus, Benjamin Roth as Shylock, Jacob Lehning as Lord Clapham , Lancelot Douglas as Minstrel/Francis Flute, Nick Martiniano as Peter Quince, Scout Santoro as Robin, Jason Soranno as Snout, and Caleb Lee as Snug. ENSEMBLE: Roan Butterfield, JJ Razzano, Meaghan Sheridan Almon, Liz Bazinet, Emma Cornish, Gabrielle Douglas, Alexis Papaleo, Rieleigh Smith. CREATIVE TEAM: Choreographer AshleySimone Kirchner, Music Director Brian Axford, Scenic Designer Jeffrey T. Perri Jr., Costume Designer Gina Kowalski, Lighting Designer Paul Davis, Production Stage Manager Sam Smith, Assistant Stage Manager Andrew Wicklum, Associate Choreographer Alexis Papaleo, and Technical Director Stuart Chapin. RUNNING TIME: 2 Hours, plus a 15-minute intermission

Buy tickets online or call the Box Office at 518-434-0776 for more information on tickets and subscriptions. At Park Playhouse, free lawn seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. Blankets and chairs may be placed to reserve seating beginning at noon on the day of the performance. https://playhousestagecompany.org/