Lebowsky has a well earned reputation for lofty production values, and this show is no exception. There are LOTS of fabulous Renaissance-fairy tale costumes, disguises, quick changes — even dancing eggs (don’t ask)…Costumer Alissa Britten led a costume team of five. Erica Bradley and Taylor Engel’s choreography is fantastic; I especially loved the tap numbers. Zach Everly led the excellent eleven-piece orchestra. The set was wonderful, designed by Dirk Rennick and Dan Wenzlick with a team of helpers and painters.
And the performers — wow. Chad DeKatch and Jake Przybyla are the delightful Bottom brother playwrights — ambitious Nick and poetic Nigel — competing with that arrogant pop-star Will Shakespeare, deliciously and deceptively played by Adam Woolsey. Nick’s wife Bea is our feminist heroine (could have made a cameo in The Revolutionists?) Mary Maurer is charming as Nigel’s love interest Portia, daughter of the Puritan Brother Jeremiah (Doak Bloss) full of hellfire and brimstone and barely repressed lust. Mike Windnagle was fun in dual roles as Lord Clapham and especially as Shylock. Newcomer to the Lebowsky stage, Steve Morgan was a standout as Nostradomus, wise fool prognosticator guiding the brothers into the theatrical future.
Something Rotten is DEFinitely worth the drive to Owosso. Not THAT far, and easy to find; 96-east and M-52 north, turn on Main Street and you’re there. Lebowsky recommends but doesn’t not require masks for the audience, and most audience members did not wear them. The show runs through June 18 with tickets at http://lebowskycenter.com