Lexi's Monthly Musical Review: February

Hello, readers! Last Sunday, I saw the musical Something Rotten, which is currently on tour across the country, appearing in Boston at the Opera House. I will be reviewing the cast, the show itself, and the experience.

The Cast:

Rob McClure as Nick Bottom

Adam Pascal as Shakespeare

Josh Grisetti as Nigel Bottom

Maggie Lakis as Bea

Blake Hammond as Nostradamus

Autumn Hurlbert as Portia

The cast impressed me. While I was very surprised that Adam Pascal (who played Roger in the Broadway production of Rent as well as the movie version), was in the cast. I didn’t see them as a replacement cast, they were just as good, even better, than the original. I actually got to meet one of the few actors who transferred from the Broadway cast! Overall, the cast was excellent.

The Show:

I loved the show. Being a self-proclaimed theater nerd, it was exciting when the show had so many references to other musicals. Along with being a theater nerd, I have a passion for literature, so the references to Shakespeare's plays were entertaining. There is even a song in the show titled “To Thine Ownself Be True”. I definitely enjoyed “God, I Hate Shakespeare,” a clever and witty song in the first act. Everyone with an admiration for musicals and literature should listen to the soundtrack.

The Experience:

I don’t see live theater often, so it was a completely different experience from just listening to the soundtrack. Sitting in the Boston Opera House and actually seeing the set and costumes was different from what I had imagined when I listened to songs, but that made the show interesting.

Overall, the experience of seeing the show in person was great. While Cabaret is already using the Opera House, I recommend that you see it in another nearby city if you have the opportunity.

Thank you for reading, and see you next month!