Shakespeare

I never thought that I would meet my equal, but I concede I have been bested by the best.Shakespeare, Something Rotten! William Shakespeare, played by Corey Knighton, is the ultimate rock star of the Renaissance… and beginning to feel the pressure of it all. Though outwardly confident, Shakespeare is gradually losing his cool, trying to ...

Nigel Bottom

Oh—is that your folio?Shakespeare, Something Rotten! Nigel Bottom, played by Branden Nuhfer, is the troupe’s primary writer, and there’s little doubt that his talent rivals and perhaps outshines Shakespeare’s. Nigel is very sensitive, so when he meets Portia, he falls fast. The younger of the two brothers, Nigel has two great passions – to love ...

Nick Bottom

You will not make an ass of me.Nick to Shakespeare, Something Rotten! Nick Bottom, played by Scott Hudson, is Nigel’s brother and leader of the acting troupe. He’s driven by success, but above all, his ability to support his most loved ones. That pursuit leads him down a rabbit hole of trying to outwrite and ...

Brother Jeremiah

Brother Jeremiah, played by William Edward Morgan (seen here “Cuttin' Footloose”), is a Puritan who cares for nothing more than to maintain a completely virtuous life. Much like the character of Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose, his conviction takes priority over all things, including his daughter, the theater, and the other ills of society. In ...

Lord Clapham

When such a spacious mirror's set before him, He needs must see himself.Antony and Cleopatra Lord Clapham, played by Jonathan Ray, begins as the Bottom brothers’ primary patron, but that changes quickly once he hears that Shakespeare is performing the same play. Clapham is excited by the arts and not ashamed to share his sometimes ...

Thomas Nostradamus

For-Prophet Organization Hickory Arts is a for-“prophet organization” and proud sponsor of Hickory Theatre’s upcoming musical production of Something Rotten! Thomas Nostradamus, played by Nathan W. Crabtree, is Nostradamus’ nephew and not quite as talented or adept at telling the future like his uncle. He gets Nick’s premonition for the greatest play of all time ...

Bea

Bea, played by Carol Anne Hartman, is Nick’s wife, and she does her best to defy the limited role of Elizabethan women to help support the household. She even disguises herself as a man to take on different jobs despite her husband’s opinion. Bea takes on several disguises as a man to earn extra income ...

Shylock

Something is rotten in the state of “Mark’s den.” (Yes, this is Mark’s den). The character of Shylock, played by Mark Rose, comes from The Merchant of Venice, written somewhere between 1596 and 1598. In both stories, Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who loans a sum of money that must be paid. Shylock in Something ...

Portia

M-m-m-master Shakespeare...Portia, Something Rotten! The character of Portia, played by Elizabeth Edwards, is derived from The Merchant of Venice. While Portia in Something Rotten! is a Puritan who falls in love with Nigel, Portia from Shakespeare’s play is an heiress who is forced by her father to attain the suitor who chooses the appropriate casket ...