At the end of this week, Upper School performers will be taking the stage to share the captivating story of Something Rotten. 

Created by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten is a comedic musical filled with reversals that showcases how one of Shakespeare’s most renowned works, Hamlet, came to be. 

“[It] takes place in Elizabethan times, concerning Nick Bottom, who is a competitor with William Shakespeare. He tries to earn his fame by hiring a soothsayer to foretell the next biggest hit,” Director Bill Jacob said. 

Jacob is excited for Thursday’s opening night.

“This year, we have a really strong influx of new students. It feels like a new era,” Jacob said. “This play sets a record for when actors knew their lines. I’m very grateful for all the leads in the play. The ensemble is also very strong. I can’t remember ever putting an actor with no experience with me in the lead role before this play.”

In part, Director Bill Jacob attributes this to enhanced cooperation with after school sports, “which made the rehearsals more reliable,” he said.

Students began working on the show in December, at the start of the semester.

Huck Jennings ’25, who plays Nick Bottom, described his character as someone with “fun and aggressive traits.”

“I think in some ways I’m like my character,” Jennings said. “I’ve always been into acting and really wanted to be a part of a big cast.”

Jennings also greatly enjoyed the process of putting on the show.

“Seeing all the small pieces come together and people working well with each other was amazing, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”

Jennings’s peers echoed his excitement for the performances. 

“It’s a very comedic show, and we really strived to do our best,” Ugo Adiele ’23, who plays Shylock, said. “I love the camaraderie. I worked with a lot of people who I didn’t know before.” 

“I liked the play a lot,” Jerry Dong ’23, who plays Brother Jeremiah, said. “I really enjoyed working with Mr. Holman.”

“What I love about the show is engaging with the Brimmer community,” Liesel Gardner ’26, an ensemble member, said. “I had fun singing and dancing with the other actors.” 

“It’s my first time working with choreographer Kelly Teogoyette, who worked last year with Middle School on Beauty and the Beast.”

In addition to the actors, the production crew, designers, stage managers, and lighting technicians are excited to show off their effortsedit. 

“We made a lot of big houses,” Zoey Zheng ’25, who controls the lighting, said. “During the production, we needed to cut a lot of wood and staple them together. I really love the painting and the stable part. I have confidence that this musical should be a masterpiece because of the effort that all the cast and crew put into it. ”

“It can’t be replicated digitally. You really have to be in it. We have a wonderful theater, a wonderful production crew of designers,” Jacob said.

Something Rotten will be performed March 2 at 7:00 p.m., March 3 at 7:00 p.m., and March 4 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Audience members can purchase tickets online or at the door for $5.