(Cover Photo: Madison Canfora as “Minstrel” with the CAST of the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. through October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Jill Mack)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"You could go see a tragedy, but that wouldn't be very fun."

                                          - ("Nostradamus") /  O'Connell, Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick

A Common Thread Theatre Company

Presents the Musical 

"SOMETHING ROTTEN"

Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell

Directed by Liam Devine

Music Director Kathryn Denney

Assistant Music Director Naré Kim

Choreographer Julia Hoffmaster

Cast includes: Madison Canfora as “Minstrel,” Johnnie Vartabedian as “Nick Bottom,” Joseph Kantrowitz as “Nigel Bottom,” Violet Joy Hansen as “Bea Bottom,” Kenly Murray as “Portia,” Steve Lillis as “Nostradamus,” Ben Gold as “Shakespeare,” Larry Seiler as “Brother Jeremiah,” Sydney Hearn as “Lady Clapham,” Joel Hersh as “Shylock,” Jon Baril as “Peter Quince,” Randal Divinski as “Tom Snout,” Doug Freeman as “Snug,” Sean Morris as “Francis,” Andrew Webster as “Robin,” 

Featured Dancers: Ellie Page, Chrstine Cochrane, Julia Stoddard, Cathy Jones, Jennifer Lade, Juliana Menard. 

Ensemble: Chinedu Ibiam, Fiona Smith.

Additional Creative Team:

Producer - Jill Mack; Stage Manager - Mariah Bundy; Dance Captain - Cathy Jones; Music Captain - Madison Canfora; Production Assistant - Sanika Agrawal;  Lighting Design - Roxanne Nute, Peter Nute; Lighting Crew - Monica Ruiz, Elizabeth Adams; Sound Design - Bruce Denney, Katrina Lehberger; Sound Crew - Turina Garrant, Katrina Lehberger; Deck Captain - Peter Belsley; Costumes - Elizabeth Horwitz, Carolyn Olson; Props - Carolyn Olson, Deirdre Bergeron; Costumes and Props Crew - Violet Joy Hansen, Fiona Smith, Deirdre Bergeron; Set Design - Liam Devine; Set Construction - Tom Devine; Set Painting - Elizabeth Adams, Monica Ruiz, Dina Kovar, Jane Adams, Clara Adams; Set Dressing - Carolyn Olson; Hair and Make-up - Fiona Smith.

Performances:

October 17, 2025 through October 26, 2025

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)

Dennison Memorial Hall, Boston Church of Christ, 214 Concord Street, Framingham, MA. 01702

TICKETS:

# 508-834-4682

https://www.acommonthreadtheatre.org/box-office

BUY TICKETS 

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)

The amusing Broadway musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" is now entertaining audiences thanks to A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, making for some terrific fall fun …just as we snow-haters prepare for our annual “winter of our discontent.”         

Common Thread has constructed a fine show featuring solid leads, a spirited ensemble and a inventive creative team. 

With the above combination, the Common Thread approach has resulted in a production that showcases an abundance of fine sets and costumes. 

The primary set is well constructed, allowing for greater ease during scene transitions throughout the two-act musical. 

The show also is elevated thanks to a great score executed by the terrific live orchestra under conductor Naré Kim. 

This faithful Common Thread adaptation of the Broadway smash brings with it an onslaught of laughter that will spread as fast as a plague…but in a "good way." 

Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, "SOMETHING ROTTEN" is a musical never fails to bring the funny and thank God (and the Bard) for that! 

"SOMETHING ROTTEN" opened on Broadway in 2015 and played 708 performances. 

The story, performed completely tongue-in-cheek (although not quite farcical), takes place during the Renaissance, specifically in the 1590s. 

There is a prevailing “sweetness” to the story as it flows, which is a major factor in what endears it to its audience. 

The musical balances a solid plot with a wonderful score and consistent character development thanks to the musical’s writing team of John O’Farrell with music and lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick. 

Under the highly effective guidance of Common Thread director Liam Devine, with music direction by Kathryn Denney (an assistant music director Kim) and highly enjoyable and clever choreography supplied by Julia Hoffmaster (of Hopkinton High School Class of 2026), all elements of the show have equal part energy and humor. 

(Photo: Kenly Murray as “Portia” with Joseph Kantrowitz as "Nigel Bottom" in a scene from the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. through October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Jill Mack)

As the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" begins we are introduced to a “Minstrel” (enthusiastically played by Madison Canforta) that guides us through much of the show. 

The use of the “Minstrel” as a narration device is never overutilized, as the Minstrel soon transitions into becoming a different character in the storytelling, but Canforta makes every moment on stage as the Minstrel mesmerizing. 

Brothers and co-writing team Nick and Nigel Bottom (Johnnie Vartabedian and Joseph Kantrowitz, respectively), find themselves continuously and hopelessly out-written and out-performed by egomaniacal wunderkind William Shakespeare (Ben Gold) whose creative roll has propelled him to superstar status in the eyes of his fans. 

Nick, especially, loathes the obnoxiously popular Bard and illustrates it in the side-splitting number, “God, I Hate Shakespeare.”  

The supporting ensemble portraying the “Troupe” for Nick and Nigel are given some non-musical comedic moments to shine, providing quite a few laughs along the way. 

Vartabedian and Kantrowitz have undeniable chemistry, critical in portraying the co-dependent siblings. Vartabedian as “Nick” is an incredible singer with impeccable comedic timing, giving a superb performance.   

Kantrowitz’s portrayal of “Nigel” is unique when compared to other portrayals of the character which may take some familiar with the show quite by surprise…but it absolutely works and provides a nice added dimension to the brotherly relationship between Nigel and Nick. 

Each brother has a moment to shine, musically, as well. 

With Kantrowitz it comes in the songs "Nigel's Theme" and the second act’s "To Thine Own Self Be True" which he performs quite well. 

With his numbers “God I Hate Shakespeare,” “A Musical” and the Act One Finale "Bottom's Gonna Be On Top," Vartabedian nails each number.  

As the sophisticated yet base and egotistic Shakespeare, Gold brings a fine sense of confidence to the role of the scheming Bard who finds himself with a severe case of writer’s block and will do anything to burst through that blockage. 

The capable ensemble supports Gold during his musical highlights “Will Power” and "Hard to Be the Bard." 

(Photo: Steve Lillis as “Nostradamus” with Johnnie Vartabedian as “Nick Bottom” and the CAST of the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. through October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Jill Mack)

The choreography by Hoffmaster is absolutely outstanding, never detracting from the focus of the story and using the varied skill levels of each dancer and ensemble members accordingly. 

Also, the tap sequence between Nick and Shakespeare in "Bottom's Gonna Be on Top" comes off as surprising, and a much welcome surprise it is. 

There are some numbers, though, that seem a bit crowded on stage since the primary set is not able to be moved out of the way to allow for larger group performances. 

This however does not appear to detract from the overall enjoyment experienced by the audience. 

The characters we meet during "SOMETHING ROTTEN" are all extremely likeable, even the ones who aren’t intended to be so “nice” thanks to the performances by supporting character actors Joel Hersh as "Shylock," Sydney Hearn as "Lady Clapham" and Larry Seiler as "Brother Jeremiah." 

One of the nicer characters we meet is Nick’s charming and supportive wife, Bea (Violet Joy Hansen), who is delightful in every scene, especially resonating in her Act One number “Right Hand Man.” 

As written, it could be argued that the “Bea” character is seriously underutilized - because Bea actually provides a message of female empowerment (during the Renaissance) while striking a perfect balance comedically between Nick and Nigel's mutual and separate aspirations throughout the story. 

Similarly, Nigel meets and falls for pretty Puritan, Portia (Kenly Murray), who becomes ardently absorbed by the potential poet, encouraging Nigel to evolve as a writer. 

Murray gives a fine performance as Portia and is captivating in the song, “I Love the Way” sung with Kantrowitz. 

(Photo: Violet Joy Hansen as “Bea Bottom” arm wrestles with Joseph Kantrowitz as "Nigel Bottom" in a scene from the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. through October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Jill Mack)

Financially desperate for a sure-fire hit play big enough to compete with Shakespeare’s popularity, Nick seeks out a soothsayer and stumbles upon Nostradamus himself. 

That is, "Thomas Nostradamus" (Steve Lillis), descended nephew of the famous original soothsayer. 

Lillis leans less into the musicality and more into the comedy inherent in the role of Nostradamus, who presents his “premonitions” more like he’s grasping at very frail straws than solid brass rings. 

Nostradamus gets a lot of fragmented information from the future, and this leads to some hilarious results later in the show. 

However, one big concept Nostradamus gets 100 percent correct: He advises Nick that of a future full of Broadway caliber musicals, which is where the show really takes off thanks to a high-stepping musical number aptly titled, “A Musical.”  

Between “A Musical” and the second act’s “Make an Omelette” many shows are spoofed, referenced, revered, lampooned, and sampled from Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, to “Les Miserables,” “Music Man,” “Annie,” “Chorus Line” and more. 

(Photo: Madison Canfora as “Minstrel” with the CAST of the musical "SOMETHING ROTTEN" presented by A Common Thread Theatre Company in Framingham, MA. through October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Jill Mack)

Nick asks about Shakespeare’s next work, intending to write it before Shakespeare, but unknown to Nick, one major element Nostradamus does not get right is the title of Shakespeare’s greatest work. 

So, placing all his faith in Nostradamus, Nick decides to write his musical, “Omelette” - realizing that he is actually "lifting" (stealing) Shakespeare’s destined story of "Hamlet." 

It is Nigel, in the fine performance by Kantrowitz, who provides the perfect moral compass which pits himself against Nick's immoral decision and direction in the story. 

The unbridled enthusiasm shared by the musical's ensemble is infectious which should help keep audiences entertained.

Continuing from A Common Thread Theatre Company at 214 Concord Street in Framingham until October 26^th, the cast and creative team really pulled together to make "SOMETHING ROTTEN" something special and something everybody should want to see. 

Coming up next at Common Thread will be the Alison Bechdel musical "FUN HOME" beginning in the winter of 2026.

For tickets and more information, contact A Common Thread Theatre Company at # 508-834-4682 or visit www.acommonthreadtheatre.org

BUY TICKETS 

Approximately two hours with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

To thine own self be true.

And all that jazz. 

Sometimes you gotta break a few eggs to make a musical. 

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and then there’s Nick and Nigel Bottom. 

Two brothers stuck in the shadow of a certain Renaissance rock star (Shakespeare), set forth to knock him off his perch by writing the world’s very first musical. 

A misinformed soothsayer plants the seeds for this brilliant idea as the task of how to upstage a literary genius without really trying hilariously unfolds. 

This history-twisting mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway is a love letter to musical theater complete with outrageous characters, dazzling showstoppers, and all the winks and flourishes that make us feel that “with a musical we might have half a chance!" 

ABOUT A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY

A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY is a community theatre, founded by local theatre veterans, which seeks to unite the Greater Boston area under a common goal: to foster, promote, and increase the public knowledge and appreciation of the arts and cultural activities through theatre and other artistic endeavors. We are committed to providing the hands-on training and education of actors, designers, directors and others involved in theatre productions. A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY may be a new name but its board members and instructors have been producing, directing, and creating theatre in the Metrowest area for the past decade. 

A COMMON THREAD THEATRE COMPANY

Phone # 508-834-4682

info@acommonthreadtheatre.org