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April 25 - May 12, 2024

Book by John O’Farrell & Karey Kirkpatrick
Music & lyrics by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick

Directed by Randy O’Hara

Something Rotten

“the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”

This smart, subversive musical comedy mashes up the crass commercialism of today’s Hollywood with the people and plays of Shakespeare’s London, to ask fascinating, funny questions about commercial success, popular success, artistic success, and personal success. And beneath the rapid-fire Shakespeare jokes, the show comically deconstructs itself and musical theatre as an art form, exploring what makes musicals tick and why we love them. The show was nominated for ten Tonys, nine Drama Desk Awards, and twelve Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but they’re stuck in the shadow of the Renaissance rock star Will Shakespeare. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting, all at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical.

Something Rotten features large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters. 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!”

Cast & Production

Show Cast

*Actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Millie Martindale*Amanda Farbstein
Theodore SundersonJohn Mannion
Barbara Grant*Tanya Marie
Jim BaxterAlex Rodriguez
Bob MartindaleBrad Satterwhite
Norma BaxterLeslie Wagonner
Kitty SundersonErica Wyman
Creative team
DirectorTyler Christie
Stage ManagerGrey Miller
Scenic DesignerD’Angelo Reyes
Sound DesignerJules Indelicato
Costume DesignerBethany Deal
Lighting DesignerAya Matsutomo
Properties DesignerMichelle Morales
Producer/Company ADRandy O’Hara
Wigs DesignerJenny Maupin
Company MD/Costume AssistancePam Lampkin

Headshots & Bios

Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey
Brigitte Losey

*Actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Thank you to our season sponsor

In My Opinion

By Alan Hafter

Welcome to post-black plague Renaissance, circa 1595. Now imagine you’re a little-known playwright, and you’re continuously out shined by the rock-star of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare, complete with a reputation for selfishness and narcissism. Your acting company is struggling and you are tasked with finding an edge against the Bard to survive. What do you do? Hire a seer.

In Something Rotten! You will find two brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, on the advice of a soothsayer, writing the first ever musical with acting, singing and dancing. You will love how the best lines from Rent, Pippin, Les Miserables, On the Town, Annie and the Rockettes! come together in this 16* century musical-fresh hysterical and irreverent. It was originally touted as the funniest thing to arrive on Broadway since The Book of Mormon.

Something Rotten! is a great excuse to come out and enjoy a very entertaining day or night of music, dancing and laughter, and with a PG-13 rating-it’s fun for the whole family!

Bye Bye Brigitte

We will miss you

(Lynette “squeaky”Fromme) (she/hers) Brigitte is a native Bay Area actress and theatre maker. When Brigitte is not on the stage she is taking your calls managing the Hillbarn Box office. Brigitte Is very excited to be back performing on the Hillbarn stage with such an incredible wealth of bay area talent. Some past roles include Ensemble/swing in Kinky Boots (ROLT), Kelly Manning in The Mad Ones & Heather Chandler in Heathers (PSP), Ali in Mamma Mia (San Jose Stage Co), Poppy in Noises Off (Hillbarn Theatre), Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (LASC).