Get Egg-cited for Something Rotten at Moorestown Theater Company!

by Deitra Oliver

Something Rotten, directed by Mark Morgan, is the Moorestown Theater Company’s 250^th stage production, and the high quality of the show proves why they have been around for that long. Something Rotten is a comedic reimagining of the birth of the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet, told from the vantage point of two bumbling brothers, their theater troupe, and a whole cast of zany characters, including good old Will Shakespeare himself. The Bottom brothers are playwrights seeking to find success in a theater world completely enamored with the rock star of 1595, William Shakespeare. Fueled by jealousy and a desire for success, eldest brother Nick Bottom seeks guidance from a fortune teller named Donna Nostradamus, whose close but not quite accurate predictions lead to this rollicking comedy. Something Rotten made its official Broadway debut in March 2015 and was nominated for ten Tony Awards. MTC’s production of this show is certainly award-worthy and worth the watch. 

Impressively, the show has two casts, the Gold Cast and the Black Cast. I attended the Sunday matinee and enjoyed a performance by the Gold Cast. Entering the theater, I was impressed by the clear instructions given and the clearly marked seating. There was a nice step and repeat near the entry with large balloons signaling their 250^th show. We stopped and took a few photos before checking out the concession stand, which had a nice blend of prepackaged snacks and some high-end-looking desserts and treats. There was even a cute egg gummy, fitting with a gag from the musical. 

Once the lights flashed, signaling the start of the show, I found myself completely drawn into the story. Opening the show was Thom Sirkot as the Minstrel; their smooth vocals, along with the power of the company, smoothly transitioned the audience into the world of Something Rotten. The production opted to use prerecorded backing tracks, and the timing was great for the musical cues. The entire cast was vocally impressive, so accompaniment by a live pit would have been amazing. Music Director Beverly Bennett, Vocal Director Mark Pinzur and Music Collaborator Patti Walz were able to pull a rich sound from the cast, particularly in the full ensemble moments. Choreography by Jennifer Reid (assisted by Dance Captains Stacy Brophy and Kaitlin Pasternak) was strong and drove the musical numbers in this show. The tap sequences were particularly impressive, with precision and great staccato rhythms. Choreographing such a large cast is not an easy task, but Reid built layers of movement and flow throughout each scene. “A Musical” was a particularly strong number with homages to musicals throughout history. The Lead Tappers, Featured Dancers, and Ensemble came together as a cohesive force and moved together in unison throughout. 

The stage design was simplistic, but highly effective, using a combination of four rotating flats, props, signs, and lighting to build the world. Set Construction Manager Dan Drechsler, Technical Director/Lighting Designer/Sound Designer Jack Morgan, and Properties Designers Amy Evangelisto and Katie Mark created a cleverly designed visit to Renaissance Era London. The theater space does not have curtains or overhead lights, but they were able to utilize the space well. The transition for “The Black Death” was quite seamless, and the usage of more onstage transitions like it could improve the time between scenes. However, the wait was worth it, especially for scenes like “Will Power” and “Make an Omelette.” The oversized props in "Make an Omelette" were hilarious, and the use of the rolling chair in “(It’s) Hard to Be the Bard” was quite smart and effective. And special thank you to Stage Manager John Wells!

Nick and Nigel Bottom, played by Seth Pollock and Jim Guevara respectively, were fun to watch as two brothers who love but don’t always understand one another. They had good chemistry and fun interactions. They were enjoyable to watch, and each had shining moments throughout the show. Tracy Brobyn as Bea, Nick’s wife, was a standout in this show. Their clear vocals and comedic timing were spot on and made them enjoyable to watch. Their rendition of “Right Hand Man” had the audience laughing and clapping throughout. Portia, Nigel’s love interest and rebellious Puritan, played by Stefanie Vajapey, was also a comedic powerhouse paired with a lovely voice. Their flirtatious innuendos in their scenes with Nigel and their drunken fangirling at Shakespeare’s party were hilarious. 

Portia’s father, Brother Jeremiah, played by Sandhun Mendes, was easily the funniest character in the show for me. The jump from strict and self-righteous to sneaky innuendos and free-spiritedness was always spot on. The physicality was great, especially the twerking and pearl clutching. When Brother Jeremiah squealed at one point, I had tears in my eyes. Mendes played the role of the closeted bigot with finesse and great humor. Shakespeare, played by Rick Williams, was charismatic, electric, and slightly slimy, as one might imagine their favorite rock star to be. Williams made their Shakespeare equal parts lovable and loathable, while giving Elvis a run for his money. Even the greatest among us suffers from insecurity, and Williams portrayed the dichotomy that exists with a lean toward humor, which won the audience over. 

Another standout for me was Andie Dreschler as Donna Nostradamus. They were wacky and zany as the fortune teller and had great physicality. “A Musical” was their big song in the show, and they nailed it. While Dreschler was certainly front and center for much of this number, I would be remiss not to mention the amazing ensemble cast. Throughout the show, the ensemble members and featured/supporting roles carried much of the responsibility for setting the energy for each scene and creating amazing vocals. It was refreshing to observe the faces of each cast member during the scenes and see them fully in it, delivering comedy and their own individual stories. This phenomenal ensemble included: Renee Walsh (Puritan Woman), Mark Morgan (Francis Bacon/Lord Falstaff), Rob Weinstein (Walter Raleigh), Dan Drechsler (Lord Clapham), Mark Pinzur (Shylock), Hope Fitzgerald (Astrologer), Gabby Gray (Messenger), Debbie Nolting, Renee Walsh, Sara Amadie, Jenna Amadie, Shelby Loewenstern, Gabby Gray, Amanda Fletcher, Madelin Madamba, Cindy Kuo, Nick Olszewski, Hope Fitzgerald, Alex Keith, Kaitlyn Resavy, Jocelyn Williams, Sara Amadie, Barb Fletcher, Stacy Brophy, Kaitlin Pasternak, Jennifer Reid, Danielle Sager, Peggy Slamp, Nick Williams and Kayla Pates. The members of the Bottom Brothers Troupe were perfectly cast and seemed to really be having fun consisting of Chetan Vajapey (Tom Snout/John Webster), Rob Hagerty (Robin/Ben Johnson), Randy Weiner (Peter Quince/Horatio/Thomas Dekker) and Chris Brodt (Snug/Francis F/Christopher Marlowe). 

The costuming for the show was SUPERB! Costume Director and Designer Thom Sirkot and Costume Manager Carol Ann Murray created a visually appealing and full show, with great attention to detail. From Will Shakespeare’s monogrammed jacket to the oversized codpieces, to the dancing eggs, whose costumes “spilled yolks” when cracked, I couldn’t stop looking. One of the most exciting costuming sequences happens during “We See the Light.” The Puritans' transition from somber, prim black to sparkly gold was beautifully done. The cast was beautifully outfitted, and each costume truly represented a piece of the character it represented. Not to mention the sheer number of cast members and the many costume changes. This was truly a gargantuan task. The wigs and hairstyling by Bridget Gionta also helped to tell the story visually. The giant beard for Bea, when in disguise, was immediately funny, as was Shakespeare’s. 

For their 250^th show, Moorestown Theater Company made every effort to impress. This is a production you don’t want to miss! The originality of the script, amazing costumes, choreography, inclusivity of the cast, and the stellar acting and singing make this a must-see in South Jersey. We can only imagine the Black Cast is just as the incredible as the Gold cast! This show closes on November 9^th, so get your tickets now. You can purchase tickets here: https://www.moorestowntheatercompany.org/events/something-rotten-2025-11-08-19-00