The School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) is going out with a bang for their last musical of the year, presenting their take on the show “Something Rotten.” For Shakespeare and theatre lovers, this show is a cannot miss. The references to Shakespearean classics are plentiful, often packaged in a tongue-in-cheek delivery. The show also contains odes to musical theatre classics, creating an exciting mash-up for fans of the art and a comprehensive crash course for any newcomers.
The spring musical holds an opportunity for USC students that the other mainstage productions do not: the ability for non-SDA students to participate, opening the door to see what talent resides off the vetted roster.
The show first premiered on Broadway in 2015 to positive reviews for its witty humor and catchy tunes. It scored 10 Tony nominations, with Christian Borle securing its sole win for Featured Actor in a Musical. USC’s production makes it easy to see where the buzz for the show comes from, as the big numbers, hummable melodies and cream-of-the-crop performances create the feel of a coveted professional production.
Taking place in 1595 London, England, playwright brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom fight to be the next Shakespeare while competing against, well, William Shakespeare. After soothsayer Thomas Nostradamus introduces the idea of a musical and declares it the future of theatre (“A Musical”), the Bottom brothers set off to create the first melodious play.
The production opens with the recurring character Minstrel, played by SDA first-year Oliver Copaken Yellin, setting the stage for the musical with a vibrant performance of “Welcome to the Renaissance.” It’s worth noting that while Yellin played an ensemble role for most of the show, he gave an inspiring performance throughout its 2.5-hour run, projecting a level of charisma undoubtedly captivating from any seat in the house.
Other notable performances include senior Maya Adayzé Lee as Bea Bottom, whose charming rendition of “Right Hand Man” is so clean you could eat an omelette off of it. Fellow SDA senior Hunter Cotton as Nick Bottom is the show’s north star as his character simultaneously induces excitement and chaos. Lastly, first-year journalism student Jeremy Park exudes the necessary suave and relaxed nature of “Something Rotten’s” Shakespeare, comfortably demanding the stage in both “Will Power” and “Hard to Be the Bard.”
The musical isn’t all farce and buffoonery, though, it also has its moments of tenderness, namely those shared between junior Sam Myerson as Nigel Bottom and sophomore Hattie Ugoretz as Portia. The pair offer a breath of fresh air to the stage and a much-needed break from the energetic bustle of most other numbers. The sincerity and fondness of their duet “I Love the Way” puts a pause on the eclectic group numbers and showcases the individual talents of the duo, as well as their chemistry on stage.
It keeps the tone of the rest of the musical, however, underlying the sincerity with an extended innuendo. The pair create an equilibrium to the energy of the production, giving audiences a taste of the all-consuming admiration that is arguably singular to the love described in Shakespeare’s plays.
The magnum opus of the show is easily Act I’s “A Musical.” The over-five-minute number is an incredible display of cast performances, vocal talent and choreography by Dana Solimando and Hannah Jean Simmons. SDA senior Ákos Jónás gives an electrifying performance as Nostradamus, leading the troupe through the show-stopping number and committing to every emotional and technical beat. The spectacle also showcases the fluidity of the set and versatility of the cast, with the stage lending itself to highlighting the individual performances as the dancers flow from tap to jazz, dawning both dramatic expressions and technical precision.
Act II maintains the tone set in the first half, especially when Nick Bottom leads the troupe through the titular song “Something Rotten!” The jazzy number not only calls on the aforementioned talents of the cast on stage, but also showcases those of the musicians in the pit, led by David O. Despite the plentiful moving parts, neither the musicians nor the performers seem to falter in confidence or delivery throughout the song. If nothing else, the number is a reminder of the troupe’s commitment to giving life to every performance and the storyline’s commitment to the bit.
USC’s production of “Something Rotten” offers a break from the everyday modern chaos, providing audiences with a space to laugh and marvel at the fantastic display of SDA’s best theatrical efforts.
“Something Rotten” is playing through April 12 at Bing Theatre. Tickets start at $10 for USC students; $25 for non-USC students. For more information, click here.