“Something Rotten! has established itself as Broadway’s funniest, splashiest, slap-happiest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”
MUSICALCLOSED
Something Rotten!
Opened Apr 22, 2015 · Closed Jan 1, 2017 · Ran for 1 year, 9 months
12 Rave
20 Positive
6 Mixed
2 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics embrace this exuberantly silly musical spoof of Shakespeare and Broadway as crowd-pleasing fun, though some find it exhaustingly over-the-top. The showstopper "A Musical" and performances earn raves, but a few dismiss it as cheerfully mediocre.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
40 reviews12 Rave
20 Positive
6 Mixed
2 Negative
Sort:
“It is, quite simply, the best musical I have seen in ages, and producer Kevin McCollum has a hit on his hands.”
“Something Rotten! delivers such a nonstop blitzkrieg of production numbers, each outdoing the one before, that you hardly notice how much you’ve fallen in love with the Bottom bros.”
““Something Rotten” is just a pure delight.”
“Something Rotten!" is fresh and hysterical and irreverent. It's easily the funniest thing to arrive on Broadway since "The Book of Mormon.”
Audience Scorecard
7.3K audience reviews
A
Loving It
Awards Scorecard
2014-15 season66
Honored
Won Best Featured Actor (Musical)
Drama Desk:1 win / 8 nomsOuter Critics:8 nomsDrama League:1 nom
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Something Rotten!?
Critics embrace this exuberantly silly musical spoof of Shakespeare and Broadway as crowd-pleasing fun, though some find it exhaustingly over-the-top. The showstopper "A Musical" and performances earn raves, but a few dismiss it as cheerfully mediocre. (CriticScore 77/100 from 40 reviews.)
Is Something Rotten! worth seeing?
Yes. Something Rotten! earns strong reviews from critics (77/100 from 40 reviews). Most theatergoers will have a great time.
What is the CriticScore for Something Rotten!?
Something Rotten! has a CriticScore of 77/100 based on 40 professional reviews. This is a "Recommended" show.
Is Something Rotten! still running on Broadway?
No, Something Rotten! has closed. It played at St. James Theatre and closed on January 1, 2017.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueThe St. James Theatre offers good sightlines for most seats, though the lack of a solid rake can be an issue if someone tall sits in front of you. The sound quality is generally good, but the tight legroom can be uncomfortable for taller patrons. The theater's ambiance is enhanced by its historic and grand interior, while facilities are average with standard amenities.
Seating Scorecard
5 sections2 best2 good1 risky
Closest and most direct view of the stage at St. James Theatre, with the fullest sound. The standard top pick for any show here.
Based on aggregated audience reports and editorial judgment. Sightlines vary by show and seat.
Original Broadway Cast
- Brooks AshmanskasBrother Jeremiah
- Peter BartlettLord Clapham
- Heidi BlickenstaffBea
- Christian BorleShakespeareWinner: Featured Actor (Musical)
- John CarianiNigel Bottom
- Brian d'Arcy JamesNick BottomNom: Actor (Musical)
- Brad OscarNostradamusNom: Featured Actor (Musical)
- Kate ReindersPortia
Notable Replacements
- Catherine BrunellPortia
- Will ChaseShakespeare
- Josh GrisettiNigel Bottom
- Leslie KritzerBea
- Rob McClureNick Bottom
- Adam PascalShakespeare
- Eric SciottoShakespeare
- David BeachBrother Jeremiah
Creative Team
- Casey NicholawDirector & Choreographer
- Karey KirkpatrickBook
- Karey KirkpatrickMusic & Lyrics
- John O'FarrellBook
- Phil RenoMusic Direction
- Wayne KirkpatrickMusic & Lyrics
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 77/100 (40 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Apr 22, 2015
- Closed
- Jan 1, 2017
- Run Length
- 1 year, 9 months
- Synopsis
- The Minstrel welcomes everyone ("Welcome to the Renaissance"). Nick Bottom runs a theatre troupe with his brother Nigel. They are rehearsing their upcoming play, Richard II, when Lord Clapham, a patron of the troupe, announces that Shakespeare is doing Richard II. The news outrages Nick, as Shakespeare has already done Richard III, and the thought of going backwards seems absurd to him.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
