Two playwrights, both alike in dignity, in fair London where they lay the scene, Nick Bottom and William Shakespeare attempt to settle who will be remembered as the greatest writer of the 1590s.
“Something Rotten” follows two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, determined to make a name for themselves as playwrights. However, due to the rising fame of “The Bard” Shakespeare himself, the path to stardom is eclipsed.
Thus, from an ancient grudge breaks new mutiny as Bottom seeks the aid of a seer, plotting to steal Shakespeare’s greatest play before the bard can write it.
“(Bottom’s) journey is he’s trying to provide for his family, but every time he tries to do the next right thing, it ends up coming back to bite him in the butt,” said Lane Swedberg, the actor who plays Nick Bottom. “They just keep running into Shakespeare and it’s taking away all their chances for fame and glory.”
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Starting Friday, “Something Rotten” will be presented by the Fox Community Playhouse in Downtown North Platte. Audiences can enjoy the cartoonish — sometimes raunchy — and quick-witted performance during the two-week run at 7:30 p.m. for Friday and Saturday shows and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Director Marta Holscher-Nelson said “Something Rotten” is the funniest show she has ever seen.
“It’s so funny and the cast is really excited to perform it,” she said. “They’re almost gleeful to put this onstage and have an audience come and watch it.”
Fans of Shakespeare or the Renaissance will really enjoy the show, said Victoria Cramer, who plays Bea.
“There are a lot of different funny takes on things that happened in history, including the Black Death,” she said. “I’d say the vibe is really light-hearted, funny and even a little bit raunchy because it’s more of a PG-13 show.”
Tickets for the show are on sale now, $18 adults and $10 students in advance or $20 adults and $12 students at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at northplattecommunityplayhouse.com/live-events.
“I hope the audience just has a fun night,” Cramer said. “This is the type of show you go to just relax and enjoy the evening.”
A full list of the cast and crew for “Something Rotten”:
Cast:
Jesse Young — Shakespeare.
Lane Swedberg — Nick Bottom.
Benjamin Hill — Nigel Bottom.
Victoria Cramer — Bea.
Starla Arensdorf — Portia.
Glenn Van Velson — Nostradamus.
Dan O’Neill — Brother Jeremiah.
Sam Fornander — Lord Clapham.
Mark Cullinan — Peter Quince.
William Lewis — Shylock.
Collin Swedberg — Minstrel.
Butch Lehmkuhler — Robin.
Stuart Shepherd — Horatio.
Darr Street — Tom Snout.
Seth Vapenik — Francis Flute.
Matthew Lunde — Snug.
Henry Cline — Bard Boy.
William Lewis — Bard Boy.
Derek Ebmeier — Bard Boy.
Dustin Cartmill — Bard Boy.
Jennifer Hinrichs — Chorus Line Dancer.
Tammy Pommenville — Chorus Line Dancer.
Grace Owen — Chorus Line Dancer.
Liz Rohs — Chorus Line Dancer.
Hannah Lewis — Chorus Line Dancer.
Aubrey Franz — Chorus Line Dancer.
Anne Schmit — Townspeople.
Dani Chapman — Townspeople.
Eden Karkruff — Townspeople.
Crew:
Marta Holscher—Nelson — Director.
Sue McKain — Music Director.
Kate Werkmeister — Director’s Assistant.
Bea Webster — Stage Manager/ Set Designer.
Nikki Weiss — Assistant Stage Manager.
Kallie Bush — Stage Crew.
Bentlie Ebmeier — Stage Crew.
LaDonna Swedberg — Props.
Hannah Lewis — Lead Choreographer.
Lenore Weatherly — Choreography.
Sue McKain Choreography.
Rick Nelson — Furniture Builder.
Mitch Rohs — Set Builder.
Jessica Shore — Painter.
Adam Sabatka — Lighting Design and Operator.
Cassie Slaght — Spotlight Operator.
Heather Slaght — Projectionist.
Jason Wycoff — Sound.
Martha Orcutt — Costume Designer.
Sue McKain — Costumes.
Kate Werkmeister — Costumes.
Kallie Bush — Costumes.
Rory Hasenauer — Costumes.
Charlotte Vaughan — Costumes.
Gena Cullinan — Costumes.
Keri Fischer — Wigs.