Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Though it lacks the sophistication of the beloved Canadian television series "Slings and Arrows," it's not an entirely cynical affair, either. One's patience for egg jokes may crack by the end, but "Something Rotten!" offers comfort-food theatrical familiarity. And if one or two Shakespearean or musical references get by you - don't worry. There's plenty more in the kitchen where those came from."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...To be sure, "Something Rotten!" is no serious meal of a musical. It's an elaborate dessert that might have been cooked up by a popular chain. And with 20 minutes less running time it might have been even tastier. That aside, it's an ideal summertime indulgence."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Longtime theatergoers should chortle at all the stolen stage references and name-dropping from other more famous shows, though the silly situations cooked up by the show's creators (Karey Kirkpatrick, teaming with his brother, Wayne, on the score and John O'Farrell on the book) are general enough to draw laughs even from those who aren't huge theater fans. There's even a preachy message about the importance of "to thine own self be true.""
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Sure, it's an English major's paradise, filled with wordplay and Elizabethan references. And yes, your enjoyment will definitely be enhanced by an encyclopedic knowledge of musical theater. But even cultural illiterates can love this touring production of a 2015 Broadway hit."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The result is a thin but entertaining lark, more a scaffold on which to hang allusions to both the musical-theater and Shakespearean canons; they're smartly deployed, but if you're not well versed in both traditions, you could be left immune to the knowing laughter around you. Still, in director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw's busy staging, we're well served by a top-notch cast, including Rob McClure and Josh Grisetti in fine Abbott-and-Costello style as the Bottom brothers, and Adam Pascal gamely putting a glam-rock spin on Shakes."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This set-up is more than simply a dazzling Broadway musical and a buddy comedy. It is a hilarious spoof on classical theatre, Shakespeare, and is an amazing tribute to the history of Broadway musicals. Smart humor with puns, double-entendres and raw sexual references fuel the adventures of the lovable Bottom brothers played with empathy and truthful bu Rob McClure as Nick Bottom and the funny, sweet Nigel Bottom played with sincerety by Josh Grisetti. These brothers strive to mount a new work – a musical – to survive in the London of Shakespeare."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Most people go to the theater to be entertained, and if they enjoy a great night of frivolity and laughter, the perfect place for you to spend your entertainment dollars is at The Oriental Theatre and their hilarious production of "Something Rotten!". This is an original work that had 10 Tony Award nominations. The book is written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrel and music and lyrics written by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. The stellar direction and choreography of this "tour de farce" is by Casey Nicholaw."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...For sheer escapism and unbridled joy, this musical is more fun and festive than a trip to the Renaissance Faire. It’s filled with lusty wenches and randy men in tights. It boasts vivid color, kinetic choreography, broad comedy laced with adult double entendres and loads of homages to other musicals. And it’s original—no juke box musical or rehash of a popular movie here."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick are responsible for the show’s music and lyrics. Their music won’t send the audience out into the night humming one unforgettable melody after another but the wordplay of their lyrics is a continuous hoot. Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell wrote the book, which does provide a superstructure for the musical numbers but otherwise counts for little."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Broadway in Chicago's touring musical comedy is a mirror of its hilarious New York self (with a tad too many two-dimensional backdrops). It's directed and choreographed by brilliant Tony Award-winning Casey Nicholaw, also the director of Disney's Aladdin that's wowing audiences down the street at the Cadillac Palace."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...Real-life brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick penned the rapid fire music and lyrics-starting with "Welcome to the Renaissance"-and Karey co-wrote the book with John O'Farrell, direction and ebullient choreography by Casey Nicholaw, which runs two and half full hours."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...Shakespeare knew about catering to the general public and so do the creators of SOMETHING ROTTEN. While not a musical for the ages, SOMETHING ROTTEN offers pleasures both highbrow and lowbrow for those who love theatre enough to poke some fun at it."
