Actors Conservatory Theatre’s Something Rotten! OPENS Friday, November 14
Actors Conservatory Theatre (ACT) – in residence at Taylor Hall at Christ Church – is kicking off its 51th season with the musical comedy, Something Rotten!
Something Rotten! – created by screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick – tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, brothers who run a theater troupe in the 1590’s and are trying desperately to outshine the era’s most popular playwright – William Shakespeare. When a local fortune teller predicts the next big thing in theater involves singing, dancing and acting, Nick Bottom is initially skeptical, saying that actors who suddenly break into song is “the stupidest thing” he ever heard. But, despite his brother’s reluctance, Nick convinces the troupe to produce the first “big and shiny, mighty fine-y, glitter, glitz, and chorus line-y, bob your head and shake your hiney” musical. Of course things don’t go quite as planned….
Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Picture, Something Rotten!’s tap-dancing musical numbers, elaborate period costumes, and hilarious song lyrics will have you tapping your toes and laughing out loud!
“This is the second opportunity I’ve had to direct Something Rotten! and I couldn’t be happier,” said George Croom, Director of the production. “Reviewers called it a ‘laugh-a-minute fest’ and ‘a love song to musical theater;’ the show includes multiple references to Shakespeare and many musicals. And within all this cleverness is a heartwarming story about family, love and following your dreams, despite where they might lead.”
ACT’s Something Rotten! also includes choreography by Janice Paganelli and Musical Direction by Stephen Ferri, who will lead an 11-piece live orchestra.
Founded in 1975 by Arlene Wendt, ACT has staged over 140 main-stage productions in its 50-year history, including comedies, dramas, musicals and original works. Many ACT performers and production staff, in part thanks to their training in ACT, have gone on to successful careers in TV, film and theater. Well-known in the arts community and a four-time Best of Westchester recipient, ACT’s mission is to provide quality theater to Westchester audiences at a reasonable cost, to assist actors and technicians in the world of theater, and to encourage community members to participate in the arts.
ACT is an affiliate of ArtsWestchester, and has an extensive and growing community of volunteers who assist with all aspects of their productions including ushering, concessions, set construction, lighting and backstage duties.
Something Rotten! opens Friday, November 14 and runs for two weekends. Tickets are available via ACT’s website: www.actshows.org
About Actors Conservatory Theatre
Actors Conservatory Theatre (ACT) is a non-profit Westchester-based theater company, voted Best of Westchester in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Founded in 1975, ACT is one of the oldest community theatre organizations in Westchester. ACT has presented over 140 mainstage productions, including classic and lesser-known musicals, comedies, and dramas. Each year, ACT’s Junior Troupe provides students in grades 5 through 12 the opportunity to perform in a musical production. ACT dedicates its full attention to these shows with our professional creative team, including director, choreographer, musicians, designers and technicians. We welcome all children at no tuition cost to them or their families. ACT features original works in its ACT Presents…Original Works program. ACT has also conducted numerous acting workshops for children, beginner actors and experienced performers. Many, in part thanks to ACT, have gone on to successful careers in TV, film and theater.