“Something Rotten!” Entertains in Shakespearean Style at the Muny

Something Rotten!
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
Choreographed by Parker Esse
The Muny
August 18, 2026

The Muny is closing out its 2026 season with a trip to the Renaissance, for the hilarious, Shakespearean musical comedy Something Rotten!, directed by Rob Ruggiero and choreographed by Parker Esse.  Having seen it twice before–one bigger production and one small–I was looking forward to seeing what the Muny could do with it on its giant stage in Forest Park. The result is, as expected, a laugh riot, with lots of humor and a good deal of heart as well. With a strong cast and the Muny’s typically fantastic production values, this show is a sure crowd-pleaser that draws lots of laughs and audience enthusiasm. 

The story, after an intro from a Minstrel (DeMarius  R. Copes) takes us to Elizabethan England, where brothers Nick (Matt Doyle) and Nigel Bottom (Will Burton) head up a theatre troupe, but they are having trouble finding their next hit play due to constant competition from star playwright William Shakespeare (Jacob Dickey), who seems overly interested in what the brothers produce. Nick, desperate to support his family including wife Bea (Bryonha Marie) and impending baby, finds a soothsayer named Nostradamus (Jen Cody)–not that one, but his niece–to find out what Shakespeare’s biggest hit play is going to be, along with what “the next big thing” in theatre will be. This leads Nick on a path to producing a flashy show to the frustration of poet Nigel, for whom the idea “just doesn’t sound right”. Nigel, for his part, has fallen for Portia (Elizabeth Teeter), a young Puritan woman who also loves poetry, to the great disappointment of her sanctimonious father, Brother Jeremiah (Lara Teeter). While the brothers try to work out their differences and Shakespeare schemes, much hilarity ensues leading up to the production of Omelette: The Musical. 

It’s a fun show. What’s especially good about it is that it works no matter the size of the cast or company, and it works just as well with flashier production values as it does on a more modest budget. It’s just funny, and funny goes a long way. The Muny’s production is obviously a bigger one, with a lavish set by Edward E. Haynes Jr. that takes the audience to a slightly cartoonish version of Renaissance England, as well as excellent costumes by DW, based on the original Broadway designs by Gregg Barnes. There’s also catchy lighting by Rob Denton, strong sound by Joshua Hummel, and memorable video design by Camilla Tassi. The orchestra is also excellent, doing justice to the fun score and led by music director Anne Shuttlesworth.  It’s a big, bright energetic show with brisk pacing and a load of hilarious jokes.

The cast is first-rate, as well, led by likable performances from Doyle and Burton as Nick and Nigel. Burton is especially a standout as the sensitive, creative Nigel, and his scenes with the equally excellent Elizabeth Teeter as Portia are a highlight. Marie is strong as the feisty Bea, as well, and Dickey brings a scheming energy and rock-star like quality to Shakespeare. Cody is also a scene-stealer as Nostradamus, showing off excellent physicality and comic timing. The leads are backed by a top-notch ensemble, as well, with fun moments from Adam Heller as Shylock, Lara Teeter as the dour Brother Jeremiah, and Copes as the clear-voiced Minstrel, along with a large ensemble of villagers, actors, and more. It’s an energetic troupe, executing Parker Esse’s vibrant choreography especially well. 

Something Rotten! is, simply put, a whole lot of fun. It’s great to see it make its Muny debut with such a large, vibrant production and such a strong cast and crew. If you love Shakespeare and musical theatre, like I do, it’s sure to be a special treat. All the musical insider jokes make for a special treat, as well. It’s a marvelous way to close out the Muny season. 

The Muny is presenting Something Rotten! in Forest Park until August 23, 2026