Theater Review: 'Something Rotten' by Trumbull High School Musicals

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

"Welcome to the Renaissance"

Trumbull High School Musicals is presenting a delightful production of “Something Rotten,” the clever musical conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick.

Jessica Spillane is the artistic director of THS Musicals, and Matthew Bracksieck and Amanda Bull are the show’s producers. Julie Spillane is the assistant to the choreographers and directors. Technical director Everett Rende was in charge of the many tech aspects and Jerold Goldstein returns as the music director.

The artistic director, who is THeSpian co-advisor and a Shakespeare fan, notes that the over 100 students involved in this production have been working five days each week since mid-November “problem solving, collaborating, and creating with each other, the THeSpian advisors, and our creative staff to bring this contemporary classic to life.” This is truly the beauty of offering theater in our schools.

Spillance also notes that “Something Rotten,” which was nominated for ten Tony Awards in 2015, “hilariously imagines the world of the Renaissance when we scratch the surface below its most prolific creator: Shakespeare.” Her Director’s Note also smartly addresses two important issues about The Bard. First, how “he is, simply put, everywhere in our lives.” Then she acknowledges the debate about Shakespeare’s sole authorship of his work, allowing for the existence of a pair of his contemporaries like the Bottom brothers at the heart of “Something Rotten.”

The high school students clearly worked hard to highlight the comedic elements in the cheekily constructed story, as well as the challenges in the dancing and singing. The tap numbers are excellent and choral singing is great.

Trumbull High senior Ali Hassan leads the cast in the role of the ambitious bard Nick Bottom and masters every aspect of this role. Hassan dedicates his performance to his brother Jorge and his favorite actor, his mother who he credits with lighting a burning love for music, writing and acting. In his third and final THS musical, Caden Chaffee has great brotherly chemistry as the artistic and earnest brother Nigel Bottom.

Carly Mofenson, a sophomore, is a natural in the role of Bea, the strong and devoted wife of Nick. Mofenson shines brightly in the role that was first played by the fabulous Heidi Blickenstaff on Broadway.

Sophomore Nora Lehman is lovely as the besotted Portia, the daughter of the straightlaced Puritan Brother Jeremiah, played well by senior Jude Magnotti.

Britton McGrath dons the black leather pants to play Shakespeare (“it’s sexy but it’s ’Hard to the The Bard’”) and nails this egotistical version of the rock star of the Elizabethan theater world, even when disguised as Toby Belch, a “new” York actor. I loved every minute. McGrath jokes about peaking at the age of ten, “with credits as Jason in “Falsettos” at the Edgerton Center at SHU, Downtown Cabaret’s “JCS” and “Fun Uncle Bob.”

Another hysterical supporting character is “Nancy” Nostradamus, the soothsayer, brought to wonderful life by the talented senior Mars Czarnecki. I found myself looking forward to the next silly prediction in her performance. The actor has appeared in several THS productions, TYA productions, Festival Stratford!’s 2013 “Midsummer” and a long list of other impressive credits. I enjoy seeing a female actor take on this role originated by Brad Oscar, as Jen Cody did in the 2023 Sharon Playhouse production.

Evan Ann Doyle, a junior who was Halo nominated for her role in “The Alibis,” plays the patron Shylock in a great get up. In the acting troupe, THS senior George Blake plays Peter Quince, junior Vitor Alcantara Espurio is Robin, sophomore Brody Cook plays Tom Snout, freshman Will Gustafson is Francis Flute, freshman Pierce Butler is Snug. The troupe also includes junior Jaina Adebayo, senior Kayleigh Cintron-Henry, senior Eme Field, and senior Nicole Yezersky.

Senior Nathaniel Grashow plays Clapham, senior Linh Tran plays the star-struck Master of Justice, freshman Ryan Fallon is a footman, and senior Derek Macri opens the show in the role of Minstrel and also plays Horatio.

There is also a large and talented “Something Rotten” ensemble who deserve applause (and not the thrown tomatoes that decorate the lobby.) The 45 performers appear in the subsets named the tap ensemble, the dance ensemble, the vocal ensemble and the band guard. Kudos to one and all.

The musical is a love letter to many things, the Renaissance, the works of Shakespeare, and especially the art of musical theater. The director shares that the students and production team enjoyed discovering all of the “Easter eggs hidden inside the script and songs and learning about all the references,” just as I did after seeing the show on Broadway. I had such fun rediscovering them in this performance.

The team of Andrea Metchick and Abby Mulgrew designed the joyful choreography that the dancers bring to life in the lively dance numbers. Ashley Reese Carley, THeSpian’s Co-President) and senior Cait Welch work as dance captains. Lighting design by Everette Rende and Blake Kile (assisted by junior Jenny Hua) is admirable and includes backlit windows in the upper level of the cute 1595 Renaissance set designed by Stephanie Bont. Sound design by Tom Ivanovich and Nadine Soderberg (assisted by senior Nicholas Ivanovich) functioned well, even at the back of the auditorium.

Kylie Yurdin, a junior, manages all things in the role of Production Stage Manager. Linh Tran is credited as the student dramaturg, the designer of the show’s logo and in charge of marketing. The large production crew includes credited props (I loved the “lighter” in “Will Power”) and set painting crew, build crew, lighting crew, run crew, spotlight operators, costume dressers, hair and makeup artists and the medium-sized but mighty orchestra. There were many expertly handled transitions by the crew.

On a personal note, I need to remind the relatives of student performers that the preshow reminder that “Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited” is not merely a suggestion. It may be your child on the stage, but the copyright rules are clear.

At the performance that I was invited to attend, I was given an excellent mid-aisle, front orchestra seat. Right next to me, a group used their cell phones to video whenever their actor was onstage, and one proceeded to leave the home screen illuminated and face up between takes. After blocking the light with my hand for most of the first act and tolerating the talking and wrapper crinkling, I headed to the box office to ask if I would be permitted to enjoy this show that I love from an unsold seat in the back row. This marked the first time in almost 15 years of reviewing that I have moved my seat during intermission for this reason. Do better, people.

So ignore the implication of the title and the line “Don’t listen to the critics” and head to Trumbull High School this weekend to laugh along with the very clever “Something Rotten.” There is some mild sexual innuendo in the script.

Only two performances remain: March 27 and 28 at 7 p.m in the Trumbull High School auditorium. thsmusicals.com

Tech rehearsal photos courtesy of THS Musicals