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  • 1.  Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 12-26-2023 12:18
    Edited by Ilana Meredith 12-26-2023 12:22

    What are people's thoughts on doing "Something Rotten" in a high school?  I know some of the material is rather questionable, and I saw it on Broadway, but don't remember all the scandal I suppose :)  I am getting the perusal of the script soon, but just wanted everyone's thoughts.  I see it is performed in high schools around the country.  



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    Ilana Meredith
    Drama Teacher/Theatre Director
    Great Neck South High School
    NY
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  • 2.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 01-02-2024 13:03

    I just performed in a community theater production of Rotten and LOVE that show - I also saw it on Broadway with the original cast.

    I think it depends on your community. I definitely could not do it at my school because of the homosexuality-based humor, the digs on religion, and the proliferation of bad language. I'd call it an edgy choice even for a less conservative community. And it's definitely a challenging show to put up, with all the scenic, costume, prop, and dance (tap!) requirements. But if your community is supportive and you have the resources and talent to do it right, it has the potential to be a hit. (Note - rights are not cheap for this one either, based on what I've heard!)



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    Josh Kauffman
    Teacher, Thespian Society/Drama Club sponsor
    Winfield City Schools
    Winfield, AL
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 01-04-2024 19:03

    Thank you so much for your opinion.  Yeah, the more I look at it,  it doesn't seem right for our district.  I do thank you for your detailed response!



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    Ilana Meredith
    Drama Teacher/Theatre Director
    Great Neck South High School
    NY
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 01-03-2024 10:29

    I'm in the process of directing this show right now at a large-scale community theatre. There are 3 pages of approved alternate lines on pages 130-132 of the libretto/vocal book that offer ways to tone down some of the language and innuendo in the show. There's even a note that says if the sexual innuendo from Brother Jeremiah feels inappropriate for your production, you can call MTI and ask for the lines from the Broadway Junior version of the show, in which he is written to be much more straight forward.

    In my opinion, if you go that route you start to eliminate the joy and ridiculousness of this show. And Josh is right in his response: you don't get around the digs to radical conservative religion (Puritans), even if they're slight. And there are still lyrics like, "Don't be a penis / The man is a genius" (which is giggle-inducing for even the most uptight adult) that there are no alternates for. 

    All that being said, I have seen plenty of high schools who are doing it... so they must be figuring it out. For what it's worth, we are having an absolute riot rehearsing this show with my adult cast. I don't know if this helps any, but it's my perspective.



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    Matt Curtis
    Content & Marketing Director
    Educational Theatre Association
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 02-26-2025 07:58

    Has anyone else had additional experiences with Something Rotten? I love the show and have some amazing guys next year. They would rather not do the junior version, especially since one of the area middle schools is doing it right now. If you have directed it either in high school or at the community theatre, did you find ways to feature more women, and if so, how?

    Thanks!



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    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
    Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
    Fishersville, VA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 02-26-2025 09:36

    Hi Cassy,

    I directed Something Rotten! last year at a large-scale community theatre. The ensemble was comprised of 11 men and 6 women.

    The full-length script does discourage adding the ladies into Nick Bottom's troupe, as this is a plot point regarding how theatre was produced at the time. But there are approved changes to Nostradamus' character to allow it to be portrayed by a woman. The excerpt reads:

    Nostradamus was written as a male part but if you wish to cast a female actor, then she can play it male (as Thomas) or play it as female and call herself "Madonna Nostradamus". Ditto Lord Clapham, who can become Lady Clapham. If you do not have enough male performers to have all the Renaissance writers, there is an alternative lyric to accommodate this. We do ask that you keep all the members of the Bottom brothers' troupe male as it was illegal in 1595 to put women on stage and the dialogue in the show supports this. If you don't have enough male performers, then we would suggest you have the females play the parts as males. It maintains the historical accuracy we were aiming for.

    However, I did find that because in "A Musical," Nostradamus sings, "Where crooners croon a catchy tune / And limber leggy ladies thrill ya till ya swoon" and "It's a Musical! A Seussical? / No, a Musical, with girls on stage!" I was able to justify adding the women to Omelette in the second act. Nick is following what Nostradamus says, and after that number, he ends up in court, so it dramaturgically makes sense. Our ladies first appeared in dresses that resembled cracked egg shells (as opposed to giant, oversized foam egg costumes), and then did a quick change into yellow dresses that resembled omelettes. Feel free to check out reference photos. 

    Happy to have a private chat with you if you want to bounce ideas off of someone!

    Best wishes,



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    Matt Curtis
    Content & Marketing Director
    Educational Theatre Association
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 02-26-2025 14:48

    This excerpt from the script is so helpful, Matt! And thank you for sharing your photos -- your production looks amazing!



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    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
    Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
    Fishersville, VA
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Something Rotten for High School

    Posted 03-08-2025 11:06

    We just striked our high school production of Something Rotten yesterday! Students and parents were beside themselves by the radiating joy on the stage. Many saidit was their favorite production ever.  I direct at a smaller independent school, where parent opinion can be strong, so yes, I was a bit concerned to take this on. But the lead roles so perfectly suited our student dynamic, and after doing Les Mis last year, this seemed like an EGGciting change up and opportunity to develop tap skills and metatheatrical bravura. In casting, I was sensitive to what our students felt comfortable taking on. For instance, the Shylock, Bro Jeremiah and Robin roles. I had private conversations to make sure they understood where the satire and humor lay...and did they feel comfortable taking on those roles? I consulted with the director of KC's Jewish Community Center, who had produced Something Rotten twice. I was very concerned, especially amidst national and  world affairs spiking antisemitism, that the role of Shylock- if  audiences didn't understand the context/ reference to Merchant of Venice- could be negatively perceived. A director's note and brief reminder at curtain speech of the nature and purpose of satire, seemed to be the right path.

    I cast a Lady Clapham. Our Nigel was a brilliant actor who uses they/them pronouns; the music sit beautifully in their voice. I added Bard Babes as back up dancers in Will Power and Hard to be the Bard. Cast the minstrel as a male/female duet. Costuming and large production numbers required more time and care than any previous show. But somehow we got there and the rewards were huge. 

    If you have any particular questions, I'm happy to speak directly with you. therber@pembrokehill.org



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    Tracy Herber
    Theatre Director/Performing Arts Chair
    The Pembroke Hill School
    MO
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    Original Message


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