Summary

Set in the Renaissance, Something Rotten Jr. is a joyful roast of musical theatre history. The story follows Nick Bottom, a perpetually overlooked playwright who is desperately trying to compete with the era’s biggest celebrity: William Shakespeare—part rock star, part poet, all ego. While Shakespeare is basking in sold-out crowds and swooning fans, Nick just wants one hit… preferably before the bard steals his next idea.

Enter a soothsayer who peers into the future of theatre and predicts that shows will one day feature singing, dancing, and acting all at the same time. What follows is the accidental creation of the world’s very first musical—complete with big ensemble numbers, tap breaks, unnecessary reprises, and more references to Broadway classics than can fit in an eight-count. From tap-dancing eggs and singing omelets to affectionate nods to Les Misérables, Cats, The Music Man, Oklahoma!, and beyond, the show gleefully breaks the fourth wall while celebrating everything theatre people love most.

With rapid-fire wordplay, over-the-top characters, and a whole lot of jazz hands, Something Rotten Jr. is a love letter to musical theatre—written by people who clearly know the rules… and then gleefully break every single one of them.