Something Rotten!

Something Rotten!
Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway.
Restrictions may apply. Not available in the UK or Australia.



Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten.  Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years".

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Something Rotten features large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, each with their own moment to shine. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received a show-stopping standing ovation from audiences... in the beginning of the first act!  It’s become clear that “nothing’s as amazing as a musical,” so don’t miss your chance to bring this history-twisting tale to your stage.

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for Something Rotten!

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

No concert selections found to match your search. Try modifying your search criteria.

Show Essentials

Book by
Karey KirkpatrickKarey Kirkpatrick
John O’FarrellJohn O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by
Karey KirkpatrickKarey Kirkpatrick
Wayne KirkpatrickWayne Kirkpatrick
Full Billing

Songs

Welcome to the Renaissance

God, I Hate Shakespeare

Right Hand Man

God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise)

A Musical

The Black Death

I Love the Way

Will Power

Bottom's Gonna Be On Top

Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)

Hard To Be The Bard

It's Eggs!

We See The Light

To Thine Own Self

Right Hand Man (Reprise)

Something Rotten! / Make an Omelette

To Thine Own Self (Reprise)

Finale

Full Song List

Cost Estimator

Estimate the approximate cost of your licensing fees by providing a few details about your production.

Estimate Your Cost

Upcoming

Similar Shows

The Producers
Bullets Over Broadway The Musical
The Drowsy Chaperone
Young Frankenstein
Urinetown

Tags

Classic Broadway
Comedy
Period/Historical
Book Musical
Period/Historical
High School Hits

Community Marketplace

Something Rotten Theatrical Drop Rental
SOMETHING ROTTEN - PROPS AVAILABLE FOR RENT
Something Rotten
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Full Marketplace

Explore

Show History
Critical Reaction
Awards
Further Reading

Resources

No matter where you are on your theatrical journey, our innovative production resources will enhance your show experience!
Two smiling people with their phones out
CUR8 (formerly ShowTix4U)

Manage your entire production from auditions to final bow — all in one place.

Performance
Details
Customizable Poster and Layered Artwork

No design skills needed! Create your show poster in minutes. All artwork complies with MTI’s billing guidelines.

Pre Performance
Details
ProductionPro
Digital Scripts & Piano/Vocal Scores

Get instant digital access to your MTI script and Piano/Vocal Score—fast, simple, and ready to share with your cast and crew.

Pre Performance
Details
Full Reference Score

See the entire orchestration on one page.

Performance
Details
How Does the Show Go On
How Does The Show Go On?

The ultimate book for theater lovers of all ages.

Details
KeyboardTEK

Bring Broadway to your own backyard by licensing the authorized keyboard programming for your show.

Performance
Details
Logo Packs
Logo Pack

Promote your show with the officially licensed logo.

Pre Performance
Details
Logo T-shirts
Logo T-Shirts

Show your pride with t-shirts featuring your musical’s official logo.

Pre Performance
Details
Orchextra
OrchExtra®

Play your show’s full score by adding in your orchestra’s missing instruments.

Performance
Details
Performance Accompaniment Recording

Perform your entire musical with a pre-recorded score played by a full orchestra of LIVE professional musicians right from your Apple iOS device.

Performance
Details
Performance Accompaniment Recording (Rehearsal Tracks Only)

Rehearse your entire musical with a pre-recorded score played by a full orchestra of LIVE professional musicians.

Performance
Details
RehearseScore App
RehearScore® (App)

Run rehearsals straight from your mobile device using a virtual accompanist that plays every note of your show’s score.

Pre Performance
Details
Broadway Media Scenic Projections
Scenic Projections - Digital Backdrops

Elevate your production with affordable, script-accurate, animated digital scenery by Broadway Media.

Performance
Details
Social Media Marketing Kit

Put the spotlight on your show!

Details
Stage Manager Scripts
Stage Manager Script

Facilitate cueing, blocking and all of your production needs with this customizable copy of the libretto. 

Pre Performance
Details
Stage Write: Staging Assistant

Enable your creative team to easily track the moving pieces of your production.

Pre Performance
Details
Transpositions On Demand
Transpositions-On-Demand

Change the key of any song and optimize your performer’s vocal range.

Pre Performance
Details
Video License
Video License

Legally capture your production on video with this special license available for select shows.

Performance
Details

Questions & Answers

Ask a QuestionSee All Questions
By Dawn Whitehurst
January 30, 2020
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Is Something Rotten too racy for a high school production?

Is Something Rotten too racy for a high school production?

 

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By HDawg1024
January 24, 2020
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Something Rotten release

It says it releases "Winter 2020". Does that mean January/February 2020 or does that mean it won't be available until December.

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By NolleDK1
September 17, 2019
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Something rotten rights

Hey there!
After a long summer I managed to translate the show to Dutch. Now I'm wondering when the rights will become public?
Kind regards, Nolle!

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By RichardAgg
September 11, 2019
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
United Kingdom Release date?

Hello MTI. Are there any plans for a UK release of the amateur performing rights for this hilarious piece of musical theatre? We Brits love nothing more than taking the "proverbial" out of ourselves and I would love to be able to put this production to a West Midlands audience.

I eagerly await the day we can and will be the first to sign up.

Thanks.

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By cooperts
July 25, 2019
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
When will the educational rights be released for SOMETHING ROTTEN?

I see that Shenandoah has the rights for SOMETHING ROTTEN in October--will they be released shortly after that and if so--is there a way to get on a list to to get the rights?  I would like to do it next Summer (2020)

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By kieweala
April 04, 2019
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Something Rotten Script

Hello,

 

I am a graduate students and have a project assigned where I need to analyze a musical. I wanted to do Something Rotten and was wondering if there was any way to get a preview script? I have no plans to perform it I just need it for the class.

 

Thanks,

Alanna 

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By DaveedBenArie_
March 11, 2019
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Which Orchestrations are being licensed out?

So, it says on the official show page on this site that it's the Brpadway version. Does that mean that you will be licensing out the broadway orchestration (IE not a Piano/Conductor score), or the tour orchestration?

Thank you

Answer this Question
This question has no answers
By jared sakren
September 25, 2018
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
Performance Rights

I'd like to get the performance rights to this for 2019-20.

Can I be put on a waiting list, or be notified as soon as they are available?
Jared

Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By drhinard
August 17, 2018
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
We are very i nterested in Something Rotten. Unfortunately we missed it when the tour came through our area (Lansing's Wharton Center) We'd like to know where it can be seen this Fall or Winter.
Answer this Question
See 1 answer
By drhinard
August 17, 2018
Login to flag as inappropriate
Related shows or resources: Something Rotten!
We are very i nterested in Something Rotten. Unfortunately we missed it when the tour came through our area (Lansing's Wharton Center) We'd like to know where it can be seen this Fall or Winter.
Answer this Question
This question has no answers

Pages