by: Brian Scott Lipton

 

John Cariani

John Cariani

Heidi Blickenstaff

Heidi Blickenstaff

Brian d'Arcy James

Brian d’Arcy James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something familiar? Something peculiar? Well, the new Broadway musical “Something Rotten!,” which begins previews on March 23 at the St. James Theatre in advance of an April 22 opening, has both.

Christian Borle

Christian Borle

Actually, Casey Nicholaw’s star-studded, dance-filled production looks like it has something for everyone, based on the dazzling, dizzying numbers seen recently by the press at the Little Shubert Theater at a special sneak preview.

Featuring book and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpartrick, Golden Globe nominee Kerry Kirkpatrick, and British screenwriter John O’Farrell, the show is set in the 1590s where frustrated playwright Nick Bottom (played by Brian d’Arcy James) and brother Nigel (John Cariani) set out to pen something as popular as reigning bard William Shakespeare (played as a “Renaissance rock star by Tony Award winner Christian Borle). What’s the answer to their dilemma? A musical, of course.

Nicholaw has assembled a large supporting cast including Broadway favorites Heidi Blickenstaff, Kate Reinders, Michael James Scott, Peter Bartlett, Brooks Ashmankas, Gerry Vichi, and Brad Oscar, along with a top-rate ensemble, to transform “Something Rotten!” into something fabulous! Take a look!

Interviews: Brian Lipton

Video/Photos: Miriam Spritzer