A Swedish-language production of the musical was performed at the Wermland Opera in Karlstad, Sweden from November 8, 2018, to March 3, 2019.
A German production took place at The English Theatre Frankfurt from November 7, 2023, to January 14, 2024.
Musical Composition
Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who wrote the music and lyrics for Something Rotten!, are actually brothers and had the idea for the musical since the 1990s.
The original Broadway cast recording of 'Something Rotten!' was released by Ghostlight Records digitally on June 2, 2015, and on CD on July 17, 2015.
In the musical, Nostradamus mistakenly predicts Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' as 'Omelette', leading to a humorous misinterpretation involving eggs and Danish pastries.
The song 'A Musical' in 'Something Rotten!' features an array of references to other musicals, including the use of sailor hats reminiscent of 'South Pacific', 'Anything Goes', 'On the Town', and 'Dames at Sea'.
Something Rotten! includes a dance number with references to modern-day musicals such as 'The Lion King' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'.
'Something Rotten!' humorously explores the challenges William Shakespeare faces as he struggles with writer's block and the pressures of fame in 'Hard to Be the Bard'.
Notable Tours
Something Rotten! launched its first US national tour in Schenectady, New York on January 10, 2017, before officially opening at the Boston Opera House a week later.
A Non-Equity national tour began on September 19, 2018, in Columbus, Georgia and included a brief run in Seoul, Korea in June 2019.
Production Facts
Something Rotten! opened on Broadway on April 22, 2015, at St. James Theatre and ran for a total of 742 performances before closing on January 1, 2017.
The musical was nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and won one for Christian Borle's performance as Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Originally planned to have a pre-Broadway tryout in Seattle, Something Rotten! was fast-tracked directly to Broadway due to positive buzz from its workshop.
The show's setting of 1595 is a comedic twist on the Renaissance era, poking fun at its contemporary William Shakespeare's substantial popularity.
