by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
The Easton Valley Drama Department recently performed a musical comedy entitled, “Something Rotten.” Something Rotten! is a musical comedy with a book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Set in 1595, the story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their contemporary William Shakespeare.
Kiarah Hansen, played Beatrice, and is seen her belting out her solo-” Right Hand Man.”‘
Shakespeare, played by Blake Reuter, and the ensemble sing “Will Power.”
Even though you are the most popular writer of your time, it is soon revealed that it’s “Hard to be the Bard.” Shakespeare is having a mental breakdown and holds an amusing conversation with his pen (and his mother).
Austin Thomson proudly presents what he believes will be the greatest show of all time- a new form of performance- a Musical, entitled, “Omelet.” Many egg related puns were scrambled in the lyrics and the yolks were plentiful.
The drama troupes in Shakespear’s time were entirely made up of males. So it was only natural that some of the actors had to play and dress the female roles.
As with many musicals and plays, a young, love story was interspersed in the various scenes. Nizhonia Schmidt and Tyson Tubbs played Porta and Nigel and are seen here singing, “We See the Light.”
Christian Bielema and Emma Soto lead the courtroom seen as he played the Master of Justice and she was his clerk.
Jay Pauley and Heather Housenga, director and costume/set designer, looked on with great pride as they listened to the seniors speak after their final performances.
The ensemble looks on as the Master of Justice presides over the court.
All great performances are successful not only because of the lead characters but because of all the other casts members that add all the layers and nuances to each scene.
Corbyn Budde had the role of Thomas Nostradamus and could predict the future of theatre. He did at least get it right that it was “A Musical.”
Welcome to the Renaissance.
The tech crew has to be ready to change the mood with a variety of lighting changes and keep track of each actor and their microphones.
Lillian Soto and Corbyn Budde has the audience in stitches with their comedic timing.
