AUDITIONS:
Torrance Theatre Company is casting:
SOMETHING ROTTEN
Book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick
Music and Lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Director: Cary Jordahl
Choreographer: Sjaan Trowbridge
Music Director: Bradley Hampton
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. 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. Please note that this show contains kissing, sexual innuendo, some swearing, and a dangerous amount of iambic pentameter. Consider it PG-13.
PERFORMANCES:
August 9-17, 2025
Saturday, August 9 at 8:00PM
Sunday, August 10 at 2:00PM
Thursday, August 14 at 7:00PM (Includes a Q&A with team and cast)
Friday, August 15 at 8:00PM
Saturday, August 16 at 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Sunday, August 17 at 2:00PM
PRODUCTION CALENDAR:
Please review the calendar HERE, and list all potential conflicts on your submission form below.
AUDITIONS:
There are two dates to choose from:
Tuesday- May 27, 2025 at 6pm
Wednesday - May 28, 2025 at 6pm
Callbacks will take place on Thursday - May 29, 2025 at 6pm by invitation.
PREPARE:
The audition begins with dance at 6:00 pm. A dance combination will be taught for everyone, followed by a tap combination for Ensemble, Will, Nick, Nostradamus. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you feel confident moving in, bring tap shoes if you are able. Staying hydrated is encouraged.
After the dance portion of auditions, we will sing performers in the order they submit their audition form.
Prepare 32 bars of an up-tempo, comedic Broadway song of your choice. Accompaniment will be provided. Performers should bring their sheet music, in the appropriate key, with cuts clearly marked. No acapella auditions.
You will be asked to submit a headshot and resume when we send your priority number for the audition date you selected.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
NICK BOTTOM: 30s-40s. Male presenting. An aspiring playwright who is frustrated with his lack of success. Desperate to outdo Shakespeare and create the next big thing in theater. Ambitious, jealous, determined, but also somewhat clueless. Strong dance/tap skills needed. G4-A2
SHAKESPEARE: 30s-40s. Male presenting. The famous playwright and rival to the Bottom brothers. An egotistical rock star of the Elizabethan theater scene. Undeniably talented, but also self-centered and pretentious. Arrogant, charming, flashy, and full of himself with a modern swagger. Strong dance/tap skills needed. Ab4-Ab2
NIGEL BOTTOM: 20s-30s. Male presenting. Nick’s younger brother. A talented but more idealistic playwright who is much more interested in writing meaningful theater than in being famous. Sweet, sincere, and naïve, with a deep love for poetry. A4-Eb3
BEA: 20s-40s. Female presenting. Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man.” Loves and supports Nick despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. A strong, persuasive leader who ultimately saves the day. D5-D3
NOSTRADAMUS: Male presenting/played. Mysterious, all-knowing, and eccentric. Provides Nick with a vision of the future.
PORTIA: 20s-30s. Female presenting. A quirky Puritan girl who loves theater. The only daughter of Brother Jeremiah. She and Nigel fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love of Shakespeare and poetry. F#5-G3
BROTHER JEREMIAH: 40s-50s. Male presenting. Portia’s strict Puritan father. Particularly disdainful of playwrights like Nick and Nigel. G4-G3
LORD CLAPHAM: 20s-40s. Male presenting. A flamboyant theatre producer.
SHYLOCK: 50s-70s. Male presenting. The inspiration for the moneylender of the same name in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Witty, sharp-tongued, and sarcastic. Involved with everyone’s finances.
MINSTREL: Male presenting. Comedic narrator and guide for the audience. Doubles in ensemble. A4-C#3
ENSEMBLE: all ages and genders; Strong singers and dancers to play the Acting Troupe, the Bard Boys, Shakespeare fans, Townspeople, and other characters during the Renaissance. Strong dance/tap skills needed.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Torrance Theatre Company is a program of the Cultural Services Division of the Torrance Community Services Department. www.TorranceCa.Gov. Sponsored in part by Friends of Torrance Theatre Company, a federally-recognized 501(c)3.