Something Rotten! by Baraboo Theatre Guild in Baraboo, Wisconsin

What To Know About This Production

BTG presents...Something Rotten!

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten! Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years".

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. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received a show-stopping standing ovation from audiences... in the beginning of the first act! It’s become clear that “nothing’s as amazing as a musical,” so don’t miss your chance to be a part of this show!

Performance Dates

  • Nov 7 Thursday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 8 Friday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 9 Saturday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 10 Sunday 2:00 PM
  • Nov 14 Thursday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 15 Friday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 16 Saturday 7:30 PM
  • Nov 17 Sunday 2:00 PM

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Auditions For Something Rotten!

What To Expect At Auditions

If you’re asking yourself, “Should I audition?” the obvious answer is, “Yes!” But here’s a bit more information that will help you make your decision.

As we hear repeatedly throughout this show, “It’s a musical!” and that means everyone on stage makes music at some point and dances at some point. This show has a couple roles that require minimal singing and dancing, but, yes, everyone is expected to sing and dance at auditions. Don’t let the singing and dancing deter you. Just come in comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for dancing (no flip flops), ready to listen, learn, and have fun! Nothing needs to be prepared for the audition, but you would definitely enjoy listening to the Broadway cast recording ahead of time!

Auditions will be organized into small groups. Two groups will audition at the same time in different rooms. One group will spend 45 minutes learning a few measures of music, checking vocal ranges, and reading short bits of dialogue. Another group will spend the same 45 minutes learning and then demonstrating together a short dance sequence. After 45 minutes, the two groups will trade places, and before you know it, 90 minutes will have passed and the audition will be complete! We look forward to seeing you there!

Audition Times

  • Jan 1 Wednesday 10:00 AM

Audition Form

Audition Process

Create your free Cast98 user account then return here to fill out the online audition form.

There are four steps to the audition form:

  1. General info and privacy disclaimers
  2. Contact information and background
  3. Upcoming conflict calendar
  4. Time slots and preferred roles

Once submitted, you can review your form and make changes up until your audition date.

Cast List For Something Rotten!

The cast list is posted! Please login to access cast-only resources.

Available Roles

  • Nick Bottom - Male, Tenor/baritone, an aspiring actor, director and playwright.
  • Nigel Bottom - Male, Tenor, Nick’s younger brother, writer, actor
  • William Shakespeare - Male, Tenor, over-the-top, arrogant, celebrity of the era
  • Brother Jeremiah - Male, tenor/baritone, bombastic Puritan leader
  • Thomas Nostradamus - Male, Tenor/Baritone, prognosticator with blurred vision
  • Bea Bottom - Female, Mezzo-Soprano, Nick’s no-nonsense wife
  • Portia - Female, Soprano, daughter of the Puritan leader
  • Shylock - Male, Baritone, Jewish patron (illegally) of the arts
  • Minstrel - Male, Tenor, storyteller who sets the scene
  • Lord Clapham - Male, Tenor/Baritone, flamboyant theater financier
  • Master of Justice
  • Troupe Member
  • Townsperson
  • Puritan
  • Bard Girl

Cast List

Name Role(s)
Owen Burri Nick Bottom
Dylan Schattschneider Nigel Bottom
Michael Riley William Shakespeare
Carroll McDonald Brother Jeremiah
Michael Showalter Thomas Nostradamus
Rachel Walter Bea Bottom
Rebecca Klusmeyer Portia
Matt Schluntz Minstrel and Troupe Member
Scott Rawson Shylock
Alec Parsons Lord Clapham and Master of Justice
Lance Burri Troupe Member
Tyler Lang Troupe Member
Jeff Thelen Troupe Member
Zac Winkler Troupe Member
Sarah Horowitz Townsperson and Bard Girl
Brienna Killgallon Townsperson and Bard Girl
Meghan Reuter Townsperson and Bard Girl
Molly Riley Townsperson, Puritan, and Bard Girl
Barbara Bromley Townsperson
Amanda Carmichael Townsperson
Lathan Donahue Townsperson
Bethany Gerdes Fountain Townsperson
Peyton Hall Townsperson
Katie James Townsperson
Eleanor Johnson Townsperson
Alexia Keating Townsperson
Amanda Lang Townsperson
Christine Meiners Townsperson
Nick Meller Townsperson
Carly Penshorn Townsperson
Jack Roche Townsperson
Ben Shrake Townsperson
Aimee Steinbrink Townsperson
Charlie Tomlinson Townsperson
Sydney Van Gelder Townsperson
Tiffany Waskey Townsperson
Violet Zolper Townsperson
Anthony Calabrese Puritan
Tierney Cutrell Puritan
Dan Fuller Puritan
Diane Gritton Puritan
Mary Hilgendorf Puritan
Arwen Reno Puritan
Barbara Stanek Quinn Puritan
Melisa Skwor Producer/Test Cast Member

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