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.



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.

Restrictions may apply. Not available in the UK or Australia.
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.

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Show Essentials

Book by
Karey KirkpatrickKarey Kirkpatrick
John O'FarrellJohn O'Farrell
Music and Lyrics by
Karey KirkpatrickKarey Kirkpatrick
Wayne KirkpatrickWayne Kirkpatrick
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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

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Comedy
Period/Historical
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Questions & Answers

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By HDawg1024
January 24, 2020
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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.

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By NolleDK1
September 17, 2019
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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!

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By RichardAgg
September 11, 2019
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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.

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By cooperts
July 25, 2019
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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)

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By kieweala
April 04, 2019
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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 

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By DaveedBenArie_
March 11, 2019
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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

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By jared sakren
September 25, 2018
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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

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By drhinard
August 17, 2018
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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.
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By drhinard
August 17, 2018
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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.
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By TheWiseGuy
June 10, 2018
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Release Date for Something Rotten

Now that the national tour has ended, will the general release date be soon, or at least will the release date be released soon? It's been almost a month since the tour's last show (and I'd assumed that was the main issue with the release date) but there's still no news.

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