‘Something Rotten!’ is anything but with a side-splitting show at the Fox

In a time when William Shakespeare dominates London’s theatre scene, it’s hard to be a Renaissance playwright — such is the premise for the wildly absurd and wonderfully clever “Something Rotten!” showing at the Fox Theater through April 22. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Something Rotten!” tells the tale of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers struggling to make a name for themselves against the overwhelming popularity of The Bard. When Nick asks a soothsayer for the secret to success, he learns the next big thing in theater will combine acting with singing and dancing. With the hope of finally stepping out of Shakespeare’s shadow, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world’s very first musical.

A show made for people who love musical theater, by people who love musical theater, “Something Rotten!” is equally over-the-top and delightful in its delivery. The tongue-in-cheek humor and witty dialogue keep the laughs coming from the opening notes to the final curtain — and flawless performances from the entire cast bring energy to every scene. As the Bottom brothers, actors Rob McClure and Josh Grissetti offer great chemistry and timing to create a believable bond between the two. They successfully carry the story of the brothers through every turn of the plot. Just as good are the performances from the supporting cast, especially Maggie Lakis as Nick’s spitfire of a wife Bea, and Blake Hammond as the eccentric and entertaining Nostradamus. The stand-out performance unsurprisingly belongs to “Rent” alum Adam Pascal as a sexually-charged “Renaissance rockstar” version of Shakespeare.

The musical numbers showcase the best of theater with catchy choruses and sharp choreography. Songs like “God, I Hate Shakespeare” and “Make an Omelette” deliver a laugh a minute, while heartfelt numbers like “I Love the Way” and “To Thine Own Self” balance out the show. The knock-out number and clear audience favorite is “A Musical,” which pays homage to nearly every major musical of the last 50 years. It’s a number so good that it seems to give away the best of the show right in the first act. Though the second act is not as strong as the first, this might be the show’s only major complaint. The show’s set and costume design are intricate and detailed, bringing the Renaissance to life with beautiful colors, rich brocades and fabrics and even a recreation of the Globe Theatre.

It’s rare to find a show that’s so easy to enjoy, but it’s thanks to the clever writing, solid acting, singing and dancing, and overall energy of “Something Rotten!” that make it one of the best and most entertaining shows of this season. Make sure to visit the Broadway in Atlanta website for tickets.