Something Rotten!

Something Rotten at Horace Mann School Where There is Much Ado About Shakespeare

Mar 15 2023

This Spring Horace Mann’s Department of Theatre and Dance will be presenting two productions that center on the world of William Shakespeare; one a piece of historical fiction and the other penned by the Bard himself.

Something Rotten, set in Elizabethan England, is the story of two brothers who in their pursuit of fame, fortune, and artistic relevance create a brand new theatrical style called…musicals. Something Rotten is a splashy, broad musical comedy filled with countless references to the American Theatre and the works of William Shakespeare. The production, directed by Benjamin Posner and choreographed by Angela Patmon, opens on April 27th and plays through April 29th at HM’s Gross Theatre. While the song and dance are sure to delight, the real stars are the students of the Upper Division who bring both the characters and the sets to life. In fact some students work on both sides of the curtain as actors and members of the stage crew. One student in particular, Athena Spencer, plays William Shakespeare on stage, and the set designer off stage. Several other students spend their afternoons alternating between stage crew and play rehearsal, changing from their work boots into their character shoes. It’s a labor of love, but all the world’s a stage here at HM and all the students merely players, and sometimes crew.

Much Ado About Nothing represents the second year of the Middle Division’s expanded season which now includes two full productions, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare’s quintessential romantic comedy filled with lovers, clowns, and villains. Set around a wedding traditionally, this production directed by Haila VanHentenryck, is set against the backdrop of a Middle School aged celebration, picture a Bard - Mitzvah. There’s another unique piece to this production, it will be staged outside on HM’s lush outdoor landscape and feature Van Cortlandt Park as its backdrop. Much Ado… is sure to delight with its design, direction, language, and especially its cast featuring over 40 MD students! Performances are set for Saturday May 20th.

Some rehearsal photos are included above. For more information on the Department of Theatre and Dance at HM, and to see our updated archives please visit our website at:  https://sites.google.com/horacemann.org/theatre-dance-film-studies/home