About the Show

Travel back to the Renaissance for musical comedy gold in Something Rotten! JR. 

In the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Something Rotten! JR. celebrates one undeniable truth: “nothing’s as amazing as a musical!”

Cast of Characters

Minstrel - Opens the show by welcoming the audience to the Renaissance! The
Minstrel joins the ensemble for the rest of the show. E3-F4
Brother Jeremiah - A Puritan and Portia’s father. He sees sin wherever he looks and does not approve of the theater especially Nick and Nigel’s Troupe.E3-G4
Portia - A Puritan and Brother Jeremiah’s daughter. She is passionate about poetry even though she isn’t technically allowed to read it. E3-D5
William Shakespeare - The most famous playwright in Tudor England. Though Shakespeare is extremely successful, he’s always on the lookout for inspiration, which sometimes includes borrowing ideas from others. E3/4-G4/5
Nick Bottom - A struggling playwright who dreams – much to his own chagrin – of having a career like Shakespeare’s. Though Nick is artistically frustrated and stressed about leading the Troupe, he means well, even if his actions aren’t always exactly ethical. G2/3-F4/5
Nigel Bottom - Nick’s sweet younger brother, lacks the confidence he needs to write until he falls in love with Portia. Inspired by her confidence in him, Nigel writes verses worthy of Shakespeare himself! C3/4-G#4/5
Troupe - Peter Quince, Robin, Tom Snout, Snug, Francis Flute - These fun character parts sing as a group but have no solos. Peter, Robin, Tom, and Francis have spoken lines.
Lord Clapham - A posh patron of the theater. He abandons the Troupe as their patron once they cross Brother Jeremiah.
Shylock - Banned from any profession other than moneylending, but theatre is his true love, and he wants nothing more than to become the Troupe’s patron
Bea - Married to Nick and loves him in spite of his lack of success in the theatre. She is whip-smart, is resourceful, and always looks on the bright side of any situation. Eb2-F3
Nostradamus - Not the Nostradamus, but his niece, Nancy – can see the future, although with varying degrees of accuracy. Her predictions, for better or worse, lead the Troupe to produce their very first musical. F#3-B4

Ensemble - With opportunities for single speaking or singing lines - Townspeople (Solo 1, Solo 2, Solo 3, Solo 4), Puritans (Puritan 1, Puritan 2, Puritan 3, Puritan 4), Crowd (1st Person In Crowd, 2nd Person In Crowd, 3rd Person In Crowd, Astrologers (Astrologer), Psychics, Fortune Tellers, Chorus, Grim Reapers, Eggs (Sad Little Egg), Guards. 

Foreman
Messenger
Announcer
Attendant
Doorman
Panicked Woman
Valet
Eyepatch Man
Horatio
Footman
Master of the Justice
Court Scribe
Clerk