When you think of Shakespeare, you might think of that one time you had to read Romeo and Juliet for an English class. Painful, right? 

If you’re looking for a very different experience with Shakespeare, you’ll have a chance this weekend and next as the drama department puts on this year’s musical, Something Rotten.

Something Rotten transports you to 1595 London, England, where the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, are trying to write a musical. Their competition: Shakespeare, who is already a big hit and is beloved by all. 

“What sets Something Rotten apart from the other shows we’ve done because it’s set in the Renaissance and we’ve never really done anything set in the Renaissance,” director Mr. Rob Boncosky said. 

Cary-Grove has done other period pieces, like Evita and Les Miserables, that were more serious. So despite its name, Something Rotten brings something fresh to the stage. 

“Something Rotten is really funny,” Mia Nollett, a member of the ensemble, said. “I think a lot of people will enjoy being able to sit back and be transported to another world for a while.” 

During a time when things are starting to get back to normal, having that escape is needed more than ever. With that said, Something Rotten takes place during the black plague, which perhaps parallels our own reality a little too closely. Still, Mr. Boncosky thinks it will offer a classic CG musical experience.

“Something Rotten screams to be on the Cary-Grove stage, as there’s a lot of things in this show that Cary-Grove does well,” Mr. Boncosky said. “The ensemble is very heavily utilized as there is a lot of choreography. It’s a really demanding show in every way.”

Something Rotten boasts a large cast with bold characters and songs that you’ll find yourself humming hours later.  

“Something Rotten is a fun show with tons of laughter and a true heart at its center,” said Logan West, who plays Lady Clapham, a patron of the theatre. “It’s a fantastic return to in-person theater that everyone should experience at least once.”

Cary-Grove has four main stage productions throughout the year in addition to choir concerts and other performances, so if you like what you see, you have lots of opportunities to get involved.

“Join choir or get involved in plays. If you don’t want to be performing on stage, tech crew is a great option,” Mr. Boncosky said. 

You never know what next year’s show will be or how interested you might be in joining the cast.

“I always love doing brand new shows. Something Rotten is really new and a nice surprise,”  Mr. Boncosky said.