StageDoor Theatre puts on a top-flight production of the bawdy musical comedy

Something Rotten has been around for a decade, but it was one of those commonly staged shows that, somehow, I’d yet to see. I corrected that this weekend with a trip up to Conifer to see StageDoor Theatre’s boffo production of the Shakespeare-themed musical comedy.

Director Tanner Kelly (who doubles as music director) beautifully helms this very funny, high-energy show with an exceptional cast illustrating, once again, that StageDoor is a theatre always punching above its weight. Choreographer Heather Westenskow does excellent work with the cast, putting together a series of clever, creative numbers that take advantage of the theatre’s large stage.

The story focuses on Nick Bottom and his brother Nigel who run a theatre troupe in Shakespeare’s day. Nick (Andy Ray) hates The Bard and argues his case in the second number “God, I Hate Shakespeare,” calling him a hack and thief while Nigel (Sean Davis) not-so-secretly worships him. After all, they live in Shakespeare’s shadow — a wildly successful playwright they can only dream of emulating as they try to come up with an idea for their next show.

Ray and Davis are perfectly cast as the brothers. Down to his last penney and tasked with creating shows that puts butts in seats, Ray plays Nick with just the right amount of conman and businessman while juggling his just-wants-to-help wife, Bea (an adorable and very funny Nikki Salinas). As Nigel, the dreamer with promising writing chops, Davis is spot-on — particularly when the plot turns the virginal character into a swooning lover to Portia (a spunky Savannah Vedovatti). She’s the daughter of the local Puritan leader, Brother Jeremiah, portrayed by a scene-stealing Stephen Sbanotto — the hilarious embodiment of the strident conservative with high prurient interest in the things he’s trying to ban.

Jason Rexx as Shakespeare. | Photo: Tracy Doty

The Bard arrives

We don’t actually see Shakespeare for most of the first act other than a brief look at his back in the opening number. It’s a great reveal when he crashes into the narrative, introduced with the kind of announcement you get at a boxing match and accompanied by the full cast in “Will Power.” All leather pants, ego and smarm, Shakespeare is played with where-the-hell-did-you-find-this-guy perfection by Jason Rexx. Mugging, winking, congratulating himself on every pun or turn of phrase, this Shakespeare is a despicable cad you can’t take your eyes off of — and Rexx absolutely nails him.

Despite his success, Shakespeare is still insecure enough to be intensely curious about what his rivals are cooking up. Turns out Nick has sought advice from a soothsayer named Thomas Nostradamus (brother of the more famous seer and played with maniacal glee by Scotty Shaffer). Looking into the future, Nostradamus sees that audiences of the future will really love something called a “musical,” teeing up a “A Musical” where Nick learns of this new art form.

Nick: What the hell are musicals?

Nostradamus: It appears to be a play where the dialogue stops and the plot is conveyed through song.

Nick: Out of nowhere he just starts singing?

Nostradamus: Yes.

Nick (breaking into song): Well that is the stupidest thing that I have ever heard.

This sets in motion lots of musical in-jokes as well as plenty of confusion as the seer’s foggy revelations causes hopeless jumbles. From a stab at a number about the Black Death, the gimmick culminates later in a production of “Omelette the Musical” when he tasks the seer to predict Shakespeare’s biggest hit. Fortunately, Nigel pushes back and rewrites the unholy mess Nick’s been pushing forward without him.

Something Rotten is a bawdy hoot that’s all codpieces and cleavages put on by one of the strongest musical casts I’ve seen outside the Denver Center or Arvada Center. It’s well worth the trip up the hill to take in a thoroughly enjoyable show that makes for a great escape from the news nowadays.

Scotty Shaffer, left, as Nostradomus and Andy Ray as Nick Bottom in ‘Something Rotten.’ | Photo: Tracy Doty