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GROSSE POINTE PARK — Imagine being a playwright during the era of William Shakespeare and having to compete with the Tom Brady of the written word. Such is the living hellscape for brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two struggling playwrights trying to establish themselves in the face of insurmountable competition.
Until, that is, they pen the world’s first musical. Badly, but still, give them credit for trying.
“Something Rotten!” is a musical comedy that envisions this duo’s creation and the chaos that ensues. Grosse Pointe Theatre is closing out its 75th anniversary season with a production of this show May 5 to 14 at the Pierce Middle School auditorium in Grosse Pointe Park.
GPT Board President Danielle Caralis, a Grosse Pointe Shores native who currently resides in Birmingham, is making her directorial debut with “Something Rotten!” after playing a number of memorable roles in other GPT shows.
“The fact that this show is so modern definitely drew me in as a first-time director,” Caralis said in an email interview.
“Something Rotten!” debuted in 2015 and is set in 1590s Elizabethan England, she said.
“It combines current humor with Shakespearean nostalgia,” Caralis said. “It’s unlike any other show out there; my vision has always been to bring a fresh season finale to Grosse Pointe Theatre and show our patrons a show like they’ve never seen before.”
To bring her vision for the show to life, Caralis assembled a cast of performers from across the metro Detroit area.
Mario Simone, of Romeo, plays Nick, the older of the two brothers.
“Nick has one of my favorite character arcs throughout the show,” Simone said in an email interview. “He starts as a struggling playwright who is willing to do anything to provide for his family. Though his intentions are true, he makes some mistakes along the way and hurts the people he cares about most.”
Christine Campbell-Cormier, of Columbus, Michigan, plays opposite Simone as Nick’s wife, Bea.
“Bea is such a strong and confident woman,” Campbell-Cormier said in an email interview. “The way her character combines comedy, strength and compassion drew me to the role. I can really relate with Bea’s big personality and deep love for her family.”
Campbell-Cormier added that her character is “funny, clever and heartfelt. She proves she can do anything a man can do — and she’s sure to remind her husband, Nick, of that.”
Caralis said working on “Something Rotten!” has been very rewarding for her. She believes her experience as an actor, singer, dancer, stage manager and assistant director all helped prepare her to helm this production.
“I have an incredible crew supporting me and a cast who’s willing to jump higher and run farther to make this show the best it can be,” Caralis said.
Simone echoed that sentiment.
“It has been an absolute blast working on this show,” Simone said. “The cast and crew are so incredibly talented, and it has been a pleasure to perform with each and every one.”
Likewise, Campbell-Cormier said she’s been having a great time and praised the “energy and talent” of the cast and crew.
The cast also includes Alex Quinlan, of Royal Oak; Jay Callahan, of Clinton Township; Cara Motzkus, of Grosse Pointe Park; Tom Pagano, of Clinton Township; Nick Marinello, of Mount Clemens; Kyle O’Donnell, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Adam Bernard, of Royal Oak; and Mike Edick, of Grosse Pointe Woods.
The ensemble consists of Sarah Bryant, of Sterling Heights; Carl Ghafari, of Grosse Pointe Shores; Dylan Hart, of Taylor; Shelby Holley, of Royal Oak; Nick Hysick, of Sterling Heights; Kristina Kamm Mardlin, of Warren; Charles Kruse, of Grosse Pointe City; Sophie Leszczynski, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Jimmy O’Leary, of Detroit; Kristina Pagels-Quinlan, of Royal Oak; Jordan Prisby, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Emily Ruskak, of Royal Oak; Trevor Sherry, of Clinton Township; Sara Shook, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Pano Varlamos, of Grosse Pointe Woods; and Kyle Weatherbee, of Grosse Pointe Woods.
“Something Rotten!” only recently became available for community theaters to stage, so this is the first time GPT is doing this show.
Caralis said this musical is a “hilarious, raunchy comedy about two brothers trying to become the next Shakespeare (in the age of Shakespeare) who disagree on how to reach the top. This disagreement and stress to be the best leads to the hiring of a soothsayer, while drawing the watchful eye of the Puritans. In between these antics, we have two beautiful love stories, kick-lines, huge tap numbers and dancing eggs.”
This is a show that appeals to both sides of the Shakespeare demographic.
“If you love Shakespeare, you’ll love this show,” Caralis said. “If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!”
Knowing that this show would close out this milestone anniversary season has added “a lot of excitement and anticipation,” Campbell-Cormier said.
“This is the best season finale for our 75th season because it’s so new and different for our members and patrons,” Caralis said. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever done before and really shows the genius of modern playwrights. It absolutely added pressure, but as a community theatre, we’re used to thriving under heat, so it’s a challenge myself, my crew and cast have eagerly faced head on, and we can’t wait to share it with our patrons and supporters!”
Simone agreed.
“We are anxious for people to come and enjoy this incredible performance,” Simone said. “I’m honored to be leading the final performance of our 75th season and can’t wait for the 76th.”
Pierce Middle School is located at 15430 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Park. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased in advance by visiting www.gpt.org or calling the GPT box office at (313) 881-4004. Tickets can also be purchased at the door if available.
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