Something Rotten!
Something Rotten: Music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick. Venture into Elizabethan era London as brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom attempt to compete with their Renaissance rock star contemporary, “The Bard,” by creating a never-before-seen theatre creation: A musical! Something Rotten! serves up a hilarious mix of Shakespeare and modern Broadway musical theatre in what’s been dubbed by critics as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”
Get Your FREE Plot Now!
Sample Photos of Our Rental Costumes for Something Rotten
Pictures are representative of our rental collection, costumes may vary due to size and availability.
Rental Costumes for Something Rotten!
What do you get when you request a FREE costume plot from The Costumer? We will send you the listing and costume description for the entire show, organized by act and scene for your convenience. The Costumer is proud to provide quality Adult and Children’s rental costumes for productions of Something Rotten! Group costume rentals for Something Rotten! cover the entire cast including leads such as Nick and Nigel Bottom, Shakespeare, Bea, Portia, Shylock, and Nostradamus, as well as ensemble members including Townspeople, Puritans, Workers, Shakespeare’s Entourage, and the Musical Chorus.
Set in 1595, Something Rotten! follows the tale of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in England’s theatre scene and compete with the astronomical success of their contemporary and The Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Something Rotten!’s book was written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick, with music and lyrics written by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. The musical comedy opened for previews on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on March 23rd, 2015, and officially opened a month later on April 22nd, 2015. The show received much acclaim and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The cast album also received a Grammy nod for Best Musical Theatre Album.
This musical romp through late 16th Century South London opens with the Minstrel welcoming the audience to the English Renaissance through the aptly named song, “Welcome to the Renaissance.” The Minstrel explains that not everyone is getting what they want, and the audience is introduced to Nick Bottom who runs a struggling theatre troupe with his brother Nigel. The duo is seen rehearsing with their company for their upcoming production, Richard II, while their rival, William Shakespeare, is opening his famous work, Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately for the Bottom brothers, their chief patron and fundraiser for the company, Lord Clapham, informs the pair that Shakespeare is producing Richard II as his next play. Outraged by this news, Nick spouts a massive tirade about his hatred for the Bard in front of his troupe (“God, I Hate Shakespeare”). Lord Clapham warns the brothers that they must select a new play to produce by the following morning, otherwise he will cut their funding.
From the very start of start of this farcical Elizabethan tale, The Costumer will ensure that your audience is immediately transported to Nick and Nigel’s Renaissance world of bards and theatre fare with our eye-catching rental costumes! As the Minstrel makes the introductions, they will look like they just stepped out of a performance in the queen’s court! Adorned in a bright doublet, pumpkin pants, and a cap complete with a whimsical feather, the Minstrel will be dressed for the occasion of merry making! The Brothers Bottom will be clad in era-appropriate Elizabethan attire. From boot tops to breeches, codpieces, doublets, and jerkins, the Bottom brothers will look like your typical disgruntled Elizabethan theatre managers. Last but not least, the Bard himself will resemble that of a Renaissance rock star in an elaborate doublet, and flamboyant tights and ruff.
As Nick and Nigel return to their modest house, Nick encounters Shylock the Jew. Shylock explains that he wants to help fund their humble troupe, however Nick must reject his help for it is illegal to employ a Jew. Later, Nick returns home to his wife Bea, and he tries to take some of their savings for a better life from their money box. Bea slaps her husband’s hand away and argues with Nick about how she could help his theatre company (“Right Hand Man”). While Bea goes out to perform jobs that Nick claims are for men, Nick confronts that night the real reason why he hates Shakespeare so much through a reprise of “God, I Hate Shakespeare.” Nick despises the Bard so much because he makes him feel self-conscious. In an attempt to find a way to top the Bard’s success, Nick steals from the Money Box to see the soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus (nephew of the famed Nostradamus). Nick asks the soothsayer what the next big trend in theatre will be, and Nostradamus reveals that the next big thing will be “a musical.” He reveals that it will be a play “where the actor is saying his lines, and out of nowhere he just starts singing.” Nick laughs off this silly idea at first, but he quickly embraces the idea and is determined to create one such show to bring down his rival (“A Musical”).
As more characters are introduced in the Bottom brothers’ tale, The Costumer will continue to provide each player with era-appropriate attire! The strong-willed Bea will be clothed in a simple yet tidy Renaissance dress, and her look can be completed with the addition of a braided rental wig. The mysterious nephew of Nostradamus will be cloaked in ragged, muted colored shirt and neck rags, complete with a matching doublet and breeches.
This is only a mere glimpse at what The Costumer has to offer for Something Rotten! the musical! With the help of our rental costumes, let your artistic vision come to life onstage and transport your audience to the Bottom brother’s world of farce, mischief, and music! Request your free plot today!
Get Your FREE Plot Now!
Back to List of Shows