Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore
“WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE WITH POETS, PAINTERS AND BON VIVANTS…”
The Bottom brothers, two struggling playwrights in Renaissance London, need a hit. That's easier said than done when your chief competition is William Shakespeare. The Bottom brothers' plan: write the world's first musical! This is a rollicking song-and-dance extravaganza that sends up the Bard and Broadway and everything in between.
Production Co-Sponsor:
Production support is generously provided by John & Therese Gardner, by Robert & Mary Ann Gorlin, by The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation and by Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen.
(he/him)
2024: Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten! and understudy in The Diviners. Sixth season. Stratford: Historian/Not Dead Fred in Monty Python's Spamalot, A Wrinkle in Time, Chicago, Here's What It Takes, Billy Elliot, Little Shop of Horrors, The Music Man, Rocky Horror Show, The House of Martin Guerre. Elsewhere: Tim in Chris, Mrs, Doody in Grease (Winter Garden); Sondheim: A Celebration (New Stages); Camelot (Drayton Entertainment); Anne of Green Gables (Grand Theatre); Riff in West Side Story (BMT); What a Wonderful World (VPP); Carnival Cruise Lines; Footloose, My Fair Lady, Legally Blonde and The Addams Family (Grand Theatre HSP). TV: Murdoch Mysteries. Training: Canada's National Ballet School, Dance Steps London, Beal Performing Arts. Online: @thefirmstonator. Et cetera: Love to Ash and his parents. Huge thanks to Donna, Laura, Bruce and the wonderful TH gang, and all the mentors who have helped along the way.
2024: Shakespeare in Something Rotten! and understudy in The Diviners. Second season. Stratford: Bertram in All's Well That Ends Well, Lucentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Fortinbras in Hamlet. Elsewhere: Soulpepper (23 productions, including Of Human Bondage and Spoon River at Signature Theater, NYC); Shaw Festival (5 seasons); Romeo in Romeo & Juliet with Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Most recently: Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, Citadel Theatre; Mack/Erika in Fairview, Canadian Stage/Obsidian Theatre; Charles Kean in Red Velvet, Crow's Theatre. Film/TV: Coffey in Netflix's Locke & Key, Fitzpatrick in On the Basis of Sex, Carl Jung on Murdoch Mysteries, Designated Survivor, Nurses, Flashpoint, Copper. Awards: Dora Award for The Light in the Piazza. Five other Dora nominations. Online: Instagram: @jefflillico. Et cetera: Love and gratitude to Kimwun, my family and my agent, Kish!
2024: Nick Bottom in Something Rotten! Fifth season. Selected theatre includes: Enjorlas in Les Miserables (Broadway); Sky in Mamma Mia! (Mirvish); Michael in The Donnellys (Blyth Festival); Elmer Woods in Paradise Square (Berkely Rep); Sweet Charity, The Lady from the Sea, Trouble in Tahiti, The Millionairess, My Fair Lady, Maria Severa, The Cherry Orchard, Sunday in the Park with George, Star Chamber, A Little Night Music, Follies, Mack and Mable, Tristan (Shaw Festival); Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bert in Mary Poppins, Seeds of Self, The Last Five Years (Grand Theatre); Avram in Indecent (Segal Centre); Tom Watson in Parade (Musical Stage Co.) Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Neptune Theatre), Percik in Fiddler on the Roof (Manitoba Theatre Centre). Et cetera: Also a visual artist, Mark's artwork can be found on Instagram: @markuhre.
Birmingham Conservatory, 2003
2024: Nostradamus in Something Rotten! and Brooke in The Diviners. 16th season. Stratford: Billy Flynn in Chicago, Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Billy Elliot, Little Shop of Horrors, The Winter's Tale, A Funny Thing Happened..., West Side Story, Oklahoma!, Cymbeline, Camelot. Elsewhere: The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare); A Little Night Music (Koerner Hall); Life After, The Wild Party (Musical Stage); Toronto/US National Tour of Matilda - Toronto Critics Award (Mirvish/Dodger); Of Human Bondage, Idiot's Delight (Soulpepper); Company (Theatre 20); The Arsonists, Into the Woods (Canadian Stage); The Magic Fire (Shaw); Beauty and the Beast - Dora Award, The Drowsy Chaperone (Mirvish). Film/TV: Leer Estates seasons 1 & 2 (Stratfest@Home), Murdoch Mysteries, Mittens and Pants, Super Why, Saving Me, Hotel Transylvania, Paw Patrol. Awards: Nominated for an ACTRA, multiple Dora and CSA 's. Love to Christine and Olivia. @danchameroy.
(she/her) Birmingham Conservatory, 2024
2024: Portia in Something Rotten! and appears in The Diviners. Second season. Stratford: Joanne Jefferson in Rent, Richard II. Elsewhere: Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees, White Christmas, The Importance of Being Earnest, Shawground, 1922 in Concert, Charley's Aunt, Duke and the Two Irenes, Song for a Winters Night (Shaw Festival); Home For the Holidays (Theatre Aquarius); Emcee in Cabaret, Finding Black Joy, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Grand Theatre); Mamma Mia! (Stage West); Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet (Capitol Theatre); Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Rainbow Stage). Voiceover: We the Culture (Facebook). Training: Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance, Sheridan College. H.B. Beal Secondary and C.C.H. Online: Instagram: @oliviasinclairbrisbane. Et cetera: Olivia dedicates this season to her amazing support system, her family both chosen and biological, her friends and mentors. To anyone moving through life with bravery, joy, kindness and deep love.
2024: Hanna in La Cage aux Folles and appears in Something Rotten! Eighth season. Stratford:Monty Python's Spamalot, Frankenstein Revived, Chicago, Here's What It Takes, Billy Elliot, The Rocky Horror Show, The Music Man, R+J Remixed, Guys and Dolls, Romeo and Juliet, A Chorus Line, The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere:Chris, Mrs. (Winter Garden); Peter's Final Flight (Ross Petty Panto); Joseph and the Amazing… (Theatre Aquarius); Funny Girl (Segal Centre); Anne of Green Gables, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Canada Rocks (Charlottetown Festival); Cats - Dora-nominated (Mirvish - Panasonic). Film/TV:Romeo and Juliet (Stratford, 2017), Full Out (2015), Big Fun Weeknights (YTV), Get Up 'N Move (Revolver Films). Awards: Maureen Forrester Award, Guthrie Award (Stratford Festival); Amy Wallis Scholarship (Charlottetown Festival); gold and silver medals (International Tap Dance Championships). Instagram/Twitter: @EricMackAbel. Et cetera: Thanks to my family, Krista, Bruce and the TH gang for all their support.
(she/her) Coast Salish Indigenous (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw)
2024: Appears in The Diviners and understudy in Something Rotten!. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Polly in Pollyanna and Jean in Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); Kathleen in Tell Tale Harbour and Miss Stacy in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Jovie in Elf (Grand Theatre); Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Sophie in Mamma Mia (Arts Club); Eponine in Les Miserables (Chemainus Theatre Festival). Film/TV: Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform), Dancing Through Christmas (Lifetime), First Native and Borderline (Orca Cove Media). Voiceover: Spirit Rangers (Netflix), Skookum and Chums (Telus), Barbie web shorts (Mattel). Live music: Vocalist for Indigenous music groups M'Girl and Tillicum Shantie. Training: Bachelor of Performing Arts from Capilano University. Online: MichelleBardach.com, IG: @michyb123.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and Swing in La Cage aux Folles. Seventh season. Stratford: Henry Clerval in Frankenstein Revived, Brother Maynard in Monty Python's Spamalot, Chicago, Nelson Green in Wedding Band (Forum); Billy Elliot, Tommy Djilas in The Music Man, Romeo in R+J Remixed (workshop), Guys and Dolls, H.M.S. Pinafore, Frankenstein (workshop). Elsewhere: Chris, Mrs. (Winter Garden Theatre); Joseph…Dreamcoat (Theatre Aquarius); National Tour of Laurier Project (Charlottetown Festival/Theatre New Brunswick); Shrek the Musical (Rainbow Stage); Hill Rise in Dancer! (A Musical in Ten Furlongs) (workshop - Elgin Theatre). Film/TV: Mia Michaels Live; "Max" on The Next Step; MuchMusic Video Awards. Training: Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Queen's University. Online: @thedevonbrown. Et cetera: Love to my family. Special thanks to my wife, Heather, for always supporting me. I am so lucky to be able to share this season with you.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and La Cage aux Folles. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Come From Away (Australian National Tour/Mirvish); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Segal Centre/RMTC); Rock of Ages, Rocky: The Musical, Ghost: The Musical, Hairspray, Joseph…, Red Rock Diner (Drayton Entertainment); Alberta Kitchen Party (Alberta Theatre Projects); 9 to 5 (Citadel Theatre); Back in '59 (TIP); Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); Shrek (Globe Theatre); Pure '90s (Stage West Calgary); Porgy and Bess (Opera de Montréal); and 4 seasons at the Shaw Festival. Film/TV: Madam CJ Walker (Netflix/Warner Bros.). Training: McGill University's Schulich School of Music for Vocal Performance. Awards: Betty Mitchell Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Production of a Musical (Alberta Kitchen Party-2022-Performer/Cowriter). Online: www.jeremycarverjames.com, @jcarverjames. Et cetera: Special thanks to the friends, family, Talent House team, and Goonlash for their ongoing love and support.
2024: Swing in Something Rotten! and Chantal in La Cage aux Folles. Second season. Stratford: Prince Herbert, French Guard and Minstrel in Monty Python's Spamalot, Swing in Frankenstein Revived. Elsewhere: Tin Man/Iron Man in The Lion of Oz, The Prince in Cinder-Ellie, Mamma Mia! (Tweed and Co.); Mamma Mia! (Drayton Entertainment); Mamma Mia! (Mayfield); Fender in Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); LeFou in Beauty and the Beast (Globe Theatre); Pavlo in Kamp (Eastern Front Theatre/ Neptune Theatre); Rock of Ages (Stage West Calgary); Beauty and the Beast (Capitol Theatre); Alice Through the Looking Glass, Ensemble in Canada Rocks!, Mamma Mia!, and Tommy Sloane for three seasons in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival). Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University. Online: @doigjosh.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and understudy in La Cage aux Folles. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Prince William in Sleeping Beauty Panto, Mikey Thomas in Shear Madness, Rocky Balboa in Rocky: The Musical, West Side Story (Drayton Entertainment); Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (Globe Theatre); Jersey Boys, Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Stage West); Mamma Mia!, Crazy For You, A Christmas Carol, West Side Story, Evangeline (Citadel); Usnavi in In The Heights, Judas in Godspell (Theatre Sheridan). Film/TV: Brave Rebel Army, Dark Side of the 2000's. Training: Sheridan College BMTP; Banff/Citadel Professional Training Program; NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Online: @aakelly. Et cetera: Special thanks to Talent House. Endless love to my boys Jude and Nash, pup Blue, and beautiful wife Shelley.
(she/her)
2024: Anne in La Cage aux Folles and Swing in Something Rotten!. Sixth season. Stratford: Richard II, Love's Labour's Lost, Chicago (June, Roxie Hart u/s), No One Is Alone: A Sondheim Celebration, Here's What It Takes (2020), The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn), Romeo and Juliet: Remixed (Juliet), The Rocky Horror Show, Guys and Dolls, H.M.S. Pinafore. Elsewhere: Mary Poppins (Grand Theatre); Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto (Drayton); Rumspringa Break! (Grow) (CMTP/Theatre Sheridan); The Voices of Canada, We Are Canadian (Charlottetown Festival). Film/TV: Richard II (Stratford Festival, 2023). Training: Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance, Sheridan College. Awards: Brian Macdonald Award (Stratford Festival). Online: @heatherkosik. Et cetera: Heather moonlights as a photographer; www.kosikphotos.com, @kosikphotos. All my love to my Devon.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and The Diviners. Eighth season. Stratford: Monty Python's Spamalot, Frankenstein Revived, Liz in Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, HMS Pinafore, A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, Crazy for You, The Beaux' Stratagem. Elsewhere (selected):Return to Grace (Fallsview Casino, Bangkok Thailand); Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan (Drayton); Joseph…, Beauty and the Beast (Theatre Aquarius); Dance Legends (Drayton, Grand Theatre). Film/TV (selected): Just Short of Reality (STRATFEST@HOME), The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows, Warehouse 13, Hellcats, L.A. Complex, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure. Training/Teaching: Graduate of Sheridan College, Musical Theatre Performance; certified yoga instructor, mentor and trainer to dancers. Online: @bethanykovarik. Et cetera: Forever grateful for the support of family and friends. Love to Mom, Dad, Chad, Ryan, Andrea, James and Talent House.
Métis Nation of Alberta
(he/they)
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and Swing, Dance Captain in La Cage aux Folles. Second season. Stratford: Monty Python's Spamalot, Frankenstein Revived. Elsewhere: Matilda (first national tour, Mirvish); The Wizard of Oz (first national tour, Mirvish); Peter Pan in Peter Pan in Wonderland (Ross Petty Productions); five seasons at the Charlottetown Festival; Mamma Mia! (The Grand); Priscilla, Rock of Ages (Drayton); Elf, Mary Poppins (Theatre Aquarius); West Side Story (Vancouver Opera). Choreography: Associate Choreographer - A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary); Mamma Mia!, Kronborg (Charlottetown); Choreographer - Good Grief (Ship's Company); Sugar Highs (Season 1, Emotion); Assassins, Metamorphoses (Theatre Sheridan); Godspell (FAST). Film/TV: Sullivan's Crossing (CTV); Washington Black (Disney/Hulu); FROM (Epix); The Sinner (USA). Awards: Lindsay Thomas Award (Stratford); Alan Lund Dance Award (Charlottetown); Brian Linehan Triple Threat Award (Sheridan College - 2008-2010). Online: @armacpherson. Et cetera: Big love and thanks to Talent House, Flea, Jeff and my family out East.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and The Diviners. Sixth season. Stratford: Chicago, Billy Elliot the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls, HMS Pinafore, A Chorus Line, The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere: Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Brigadoon (Shaw Festival); Anne of Green Gables, Jesus Christ Superstar (Charlottetown Festival); Rock of Ages (Elgin Theatre); Mary Poppins (YPT); West Side Story (Citadel Theatre); Clara's Dream, Shumka at 50! China Tour (Shumka/SPI Productions). Film/TV: Mother of All Shows, Canada's Got Talent Season 2. Training: Grant MacEwan University, Theatre Arts. Instagram: @Djmah5. Et cetera: Jordan would like to thank everyone at The Talent House, his family, friends and mentors for all the incredible support. Remember: "on the opposite side of fear is opportunity". A special thanks to my rock, my love Christine.
2024: Appears in Something Rotten! and La Cage aux Folles. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Jeff Douglas in Brigadoon, Phil Davis in White Christmas, The Troubadour, Gypsy, Damn Yankees, Holiday Inn, 1922, Shawground, Fairground (Shaw Festival/5 seasons); The Dream Catchers, The Voices of Canada, We Are Canadian (Charlottetown Festival/3 seasons); Wizard of Oz (Ross Petty Productions); Pepper in Mamma Mia, Roger in Grease (Chemainus Theatre); Bystander (Gwaandak Theatre); Greenlandic Physical Theatre (Arctic Winter Games). Published Works: Seasons of Change, an original book of Poetry available on Amazon. Recordings: Coming in to Peace, The Promise, Moments, Small Town, original albums available on all streaming platforms. Training: Sheridan College. Online: koovy.ca, @koovster. Et cetera: Hey Mom, remember when we flew all the way from the Yukon to see a musical here? Well, this time you get to watch me in it.
2024: Director and Choreographer of Something Rotten! 28th season. Stratford: Director and choreographer of Chicago, Billy Elliot the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rocky Horror Show (the longest running show in Festival history), The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, The Madwoman of Chaillot, A Chorus Line, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Charlie Brown, Cyrano de Bergerac, Oklahoma!, Oliver!. Elsewhere: Recently, as director and choreographer, Goodspeed Opera House's critically acclaimed world première and highest grossing show, Summer Stock; The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation (5th Avenue, Seattle); The Hockey Sweater: A Musical (NAC, Segal Centre). As director: Bernhardt Hamlet (Goodman Theater, Chicago); Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream (NACO); Yorkville (Blyth Festival); The Very Best of Broadway with Audra McDonald and Marvin Hamlisch; Rock 'N' Roll, It's A Wonderful Life (Canadian Stage); Lecture on the Weather, A Soldier's Tale with F. Murray Abraham (Detroit Symphony Orchestra); Mozart: A Life in Letters (Toronto Symphony Orchestra); Annie Get Your Gun (Massey Hall). Creative producer of the ground-breaking musical and visual series Undisrupted (NAC/CBC Gem). Creative producer/director of Life Reflected, a multimedia orchestral production (world première NACO with Canadian and European tours). Choreography: Siegfried (Canadian Opera Company/Opéra National de Lyon); Tosca, Red Emma, Oedipus Rex (Dora Award) (COC). Film and TV: (selected) Politics is Cruel, Mean Girls, Eloise, Martin and Lewis, Stormy Weather, Romeo and Juliette, Don Giovanni, Feast of All Saints. Et cetera: I want to thank my family for their unconditional love and support.
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