Bottom row, from left are Olivia Ho (Portia) and Lucas Schnotala (Nigel Bottom). And (top row, from left) are Nate Smith (Nick Bottom) and Olive Webster (Bea Bottom). Nigel’s poetry impresses Portia, while Bea tries to calm Nick, who lacks ideas for a new play.
Featuring a cast and crew of 80 plus a live orchestra, Fairfax High’s upcoming stage production is the musical comedy, “Something Rotten!” It’s also the school’s Cappies entry for this season.
“The actors are hilarious and are making me laugh at rehearsals,” said Director Chris Whitney. “It’s a really, feel-good show. My students voted to do it because of its choreography possibilities. And our three student choreographers – Nate Smith, Libby Hansen and Naomi Bautista – have been amazing teaching the actors tap because there are multiple tap numbers.”
Show times are Thursday-Friday, April 30-May 1, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, May 7-8, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, May 9, at 1 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, adults; $10, students, at the door or via www.fxplayers.org.
The story takes place in 1590s London where brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are struggling playwrights having to compete with William Shakespeare, who releases a new play every time they do. Frustrated, they consult reputed seer Nostradamus who tells them that, in the future, no one will watch plays – they’ll all be watching musicals.
“So the older brother, Nick, asks Nostradamus to find out what Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece will be,” said Whitney. “And instead of saying, ‘Hamlet,’ Nostradamus gets it wrong and says, ‘Omelet.’ So the brothers write a musical about omelets.”
“The show’s message is to be true to yourself,” continued Whitney. “And it’s especially important when we’re living in a world with AI. We work a lot harder to create our own original ideas and works. This production is really a love letter to both Shakespeare’s classical plays and the musicals of today. Audiences will love the choreography and big, dance numbers. The story is light and entertaining, and the dialogue is witty and funny.”
Senior Olive Webster portrays Nick’s wife, Bea. “She’s very witty, outgoing and confident and has comebacks for everything her husband says,” said Webster. “But she lives in a time when women aren’t given much power, and she wants to get some for herself by having a job. She disguises herself as a man and tries out for various male jobs but can’t keep them.
“She’s fun to play because she’s supportive of her husband but will do what she needs to support her household – which includes both brothers, who aren’t making much money. And I see some of myself in her in the way she’s not afraid to make fun of herself in front of others.”
Webster’s favorite number is “God, I Hate Shakespeare,” sung by Nate Smith as Nick. “It’s very funny and shows how Nick really feels about Shakespeare, while the song remains upbeat and hilarious,” she said.
Webster said this show is different from most other high-school plays because “the humor is inappropriate in some parts. And it has song titles and lines you don’t always hear from high schools. It’s best for kids ages 10 and up. And there are lots of classic, big, musical numbers with bright, colorful costumes and lights that’ll really appeal to the audience.”
Playing Nick’s brother, Nigel, is sophomore Lucas Schnotala. “He’s awkward and unsure of himself but also passionate about being a playwright,” said Schnotala. “His insecurity comes from him not believing in his artistic abilities, and part of his journey is just accepting who he is and finally believing in himself. He’s also friendly and outgoing, but in an unsure, clumsy kind of way. He’s well meaning, but that sometimes gets in his way because it’s to a fault. And he’s overly trusting and even gets taken advantage of.”
“I like finding the balance between his clumsy, comedic moments and his genuine passion,” continued Schnotala. “And his journey is one of the most complex of all the characters. There’s a variety in the people he interacts with and the emotions he feels throughout the show. There are peaks and valleys in his optimism and in his feelings about what’s going on around him.”
Schnotala especially likes the song, “To Thine Own Self Be True,” which he sings. “The melody itself is beautiful, and it also seems to sum up the show’s core themes of being true to yourself and your art,” he said. “Audiences will like how fun and over-the-top it is, at times. Even though there are moments of seriousness, it’s overall a silly and joyful production. They’ll also love the score because it’s full of iconic theater songs, and they’re all very catchy.”
Sophomore Olivia Ho portrays Nigel’s love interest, Portia. “She’s naïve, young and lovable and brings an extra comedic aspect to the show,” said Ho. “She’s also bright, bubbly, friendly and outgoing, although a little shy, at times. She’s grown up in a religious household and was taught to follow the Bible.
“She loves poetry, but it was forbidden for her to read or even like it while growing up. But since Nigel loves it, too, they get to discuss it together, and it brings out the joy in both of them. I love playing Portia because she’s just so fun. She’s never sad and is always open-minded and encouraging to everyone around her. Every time I read a line of hers or sing one of her songs, it makes me happy.”
Ho’s favorite number is “I Love the Way,” Portia’s duet with Nigel. “There are moments when we’ll hold hands, swing around in a circle and jump on and off a bench, so the choreography adds to it,” she said. “And it’s fun to sing because it’s faster-paced, and its crescendos show the importance of what she’s saying.”
Ho said audiences will particularly enjoy the play’s choreography, sets, lighting and costuming. “Our set has moving parts, and people will see Bea’s house, a park under London Bridge and exteriors of a village,” she said. “Women wear long, colorful dresses, and the men wear shirts and pantaloons. The lighting colors will match the vibe of each scene, and this show will make everyone laugh.”
Playing a minstrel named Minstrel is senior Mauro Manganello. “He’s the epitome of the English Renaissance and represents art in the world in general,” said Manganello. “I start off both acts with a song-and-dance number. Minstrel is fashionable, wearing high heels and Betty Boop curls. He’s also flamboyant and has a larger-than-life personality. His songs and dances are over-the-top, and he’s polished, cocky and a little sassy. He doesn’t have speaking lines and sings everything he does.”
Enjoying his role, Manganello said, “I love getting to explore dance. The choreographers let me create my own dances for Minstrel because I’m also a dancer and a gymnast. And since he’s the first thing audiences see, he gives them a taste of the comedy that’s in store.”
He especially likes the song, “Make an Omelet, sung together by the brothers and an acting troupe. “It alludes to multiple, different, modern musicals [that didn’t exist then], and they’re incorporated into the song – while giving an actual recipe for an omelet,” said Manganello.
He’s also head of hair and makeup, which will be traditional, Renaissance style, except for Nostradamus. So most of the women will have big, bold hair and curls, with almost a Marie Antoinette vibe for the wealthy ones. The poorer women will wear updo styles or ponytails, explained Manganello, “because they were poor and couldn’t wash their hair as much.
“As for an example of makeup, one rich woman will have heart-shaped lips, a pale face and lots of blush. Shakespeare will have a modern, rockstar vibe with black eyeliner and a grunge look.”
But, added Manganello, “The undeniable best part of this show is the comedy – because it makes no sense what these brothers are trying to do. Their musical contains references to and characters from dozens of popular Broadway musicals, such as ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ ‘Cats,’ ‘Music Man,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and Mary Poppins.’ Everyone in the audience will laugh and have a really good time.”