Director: Jack Boyagian
Musical Director: Anna Mastin
Choreographer: Alina Adjemian
Producers: Allena Godfrey and Rebecca Reid
Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. 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.
Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings starting October 9, 2024 at the Firehall. Attendance at all rehearsals is mandatory (barring extenuating circumstances).
Audition Process
Dance and Vocal auditions
Group auditions with 8 people per time slot. Each block will include a solo, and a group dance piece. Bring tap shoes if you have them.
Please choose one song to perform at your audition from our selection. Choose a song that suits your range, as much as possible. The sheet music and tracks provided have been edited to indicate necessary cuts. Some are more challenging than others to navigate, so practice accordingly.
Non-gender specific roles are: Minstrel and Nostradamus (Nancy or Thomas). These roles may require some octave jumps, depending on your voice type, please keep this in mind and use your own discretion.
Selections must be memorized. You will be using the backing tracks provided as accompaniment during your audition.
If you are auditioning for an ensemble role, please choose from our selection the most appropriate song for your voice.
If you are auditioning for a lead role, please choose that character’s song from our selection.
We did not provide an audition song specific to Nigel Bottom, please choose any song listed that demonstrates a tenor range, if you are interested in this role.
You have two months to prepare for this audition, if you are interested in a lead role, please become familiar with other character’s songs, in case of a callback for a different role.
Remember, this is a wacky, over-the-top show – please bring that energy to your audition and have fun!
Sunday September 8, 2024, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm (1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm)
Monday September 9, 2024, from 6:30 to 9:30 (6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm)
Callbacks
Principals will be called back for specific roles. You will sing a short piece specific to a character. The music tracks will be provided. You will also be sent a scene to act.
Sunday September 15, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00. Please reserve the whole time slot.
Audition Location: Firehall Theatre, 213 Second Street, Cobourg, third floor
Cast of Characters
Ages are approximate as often actors can play a wide range of ages. Several roles also are gender fluid.
Shakespeare, The Bard.
Over the top with a huge ego. Rock Star.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 40s
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Nick Bottom
A struggling writer who cannot stand Shakespeare. Nigel’s older brother.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 40s
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Nigel Bottom
Nick’s sweet younger brother. A struggling writer who falls in love with Portia, a Puritan.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Bea
Nick’s wife. She loves Nick despite his past lack of success. She dresses up like a man to prove she can be an actor.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 40s
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Portia
A Puritan woman who loves poetry, theatre, and ultimately Nigel.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 35
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Nostradamus
A soothsayer
Gender: Fluid
Age: 40 to 50s
High Baritone or Tenor
Brother Jeremiah
Portia’s father. A Puritan who thinks Nick and Nigel’s plays are sinful.
Gender: Male
Age: 50 +
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Lord Clapham
A posh patron of the theatre.
Gender: Fluid
Shylock
An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt.
Gender: Male
Baritone or Tenor
Minstrel
Gender: Fluid
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C#3
Nick Bottom’s Troupe
Tom Snout, Peter Quince, Snug, Francis Flute
Other Possible Speaking and Solo Singing Roles
- Sad Little Egg – Dreamgirls type solo in Make an Omelette (Soprano/Alto with high belt)
- Three Chefs (important trio in Omelette – ability to sing in tight harmonies)
- Miranda, Rosalind, Helena (friends of Bea)
- Soloists in Welcome to the Renaissance
- Astrologer
- Psychic Woman/Man
- Eyepatch Woman/Man – Tells Shakespeare that Nick has been visiting Nostradamus
- Foreman
- Messenger
- Announcer
- Woman/Man in Crowd
- Panicked Woman
- Woman 1
- Woman 2
- Puritan Woman
- Clerk
The Bard Backup Singers/Dancers (Gender fluid)
All Voice Types; this small group of singers/dancers, who play Shakespeare’s entourage, may either be
cast with males or females. Strong dance abilities preferred.
Tap Dancing Ensemble for Tappers / Grim Reapers
Performers with tap dance training for A Musical, Make an Omelette, The Black Death and more!
A note from the Director:
The goal is to cast people in roles where they can double as other characters as much as possible in the large numbers, so you can have fun and participate. Being able to dance is an asset. There are certain numbers that require some basic tap and many with fun choreography. The show is funny from start to finish, with large comic acting and movement that requires a cast willing to share their joy on stage. Even though many of the principals are male many parts are gender fluid.
For questions regarding casting, contact Jack Boyagian.
For questions regarding music, contact Anna Mastin.
For scheduling issues, please contact Allena Godfrey.