Spectacular musical comedy Something Rotten! returns to the Festival stage
Stratford, ON… “Nothing’s as amazing as a musical!” Following overwhelming audience demand, the Stratford Festival brings the wildly popular musical Something Rotten! back to the Festival stage. Directed and choreographed by Donna Feore and led by a beloved cast including Starr Domingue as Bea Bottom, Henry Firmston as Nigel Bottom, Jeff Lillico as Shakespeare and Mark Uhre as Nick Bottom, this exuberant musical comedy transforms the Renaissance into a dazzling celebration of theatre, filled with spectacular dance numbers, infectious songs and riotous comedy. Hailed by critics as “the smartest and funniest new musical comedy” and named a Critic’s Pick by The Globe and Mail in its celebrated 2024 run, this Stratford favorite returns for another season of irresistible theatrical joy.
In the vibrant world of Renaissance London, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are determined to make their mark as playwrights, no easy feat when their flashy rival, William Shakespeare, is the toast of the town. Struggling for inspiration and desperate for a hit, Nick turns to an eccentric soothsayer whose outrageous prediction sends the brothers down an unexpected theatrical path. As they attempt to create something boldly original, they become entangled in a whirlwind of ambition, rivalry, romance, and backstage chaos. What follows is a wildly entertaining spectacle, bursting with larger-than-life comedy, theatrical mischief and the magic and madness of live theatre.
“Every time I stage a show on Stratford’s thrust stage, I re-imagine the entire production… This leads to new discoveries, ensuring that even if you’ve seen Something Rotten! before – even here – you’ve never seen it like this,” says Feore. “The company of Something Rotten! is extraordinary. They are some of the most talented, experienced, dedicated and delightful artists I’ve ever been lucky enough to work with.”
Something Rotten! also features Dan Chameroy as Nostradamus, Juan Chioran as Brother Jeremiah, Steve Ross as Shylock, and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Portia with Eric Abel, Gabriel Antonacci, Michelle Bardach, Carla Bennett, Devon Michael Brown, Wade Pierre Buller, Jeremy Carver-James as Minstrel, Jarret Cody, Nehassaiu deGannes as Lady Clapham, Christine Desjardins, Josh Doig, Jordan Goodridge, Alexandra Gratton, Bonnie Jordan, Alex Kelly, Amanda Lundgren, Gracie Mack, Anthony MacPherson, Jordan Mah, Jamie Murray, Stephen Patterson, Ali Powell, Brian Ross and Jason Sermonia.
Laura Burton returns as Music Director, marking her 47th season at the Stratford Festival. Feore and Burton are joined by Set and Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher and Sound Designer Haley Parcher.
Something Rotten! officially opens on May 29 and runs until October 31 at the Festival Theatre. Tickets are available at stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.
The 2026 season also features The Tempest, Guys and Dolls, Waiting for Godot, Death of a Salesman, The Hobbit, The Importance of Being Earnest, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, The Tao of the World and The King James Bible Play. For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.
The 2026 Season is supported by Ophelia Lazaridis.
Proud 2026 Season Partners: BMO, Canada Life and RBC Royal Bank.
Support for the 2026 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein & Claire Foerster.
Production Sponsor: Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
Production Underwriters: John & Therese Gardner, Danette Gentile Kauffman in memory of Gretchen & Dan Gentile.
CAST (in alphabetical order)
Eric Abel Ensemble
Gabriel Antonacci Ensemble
Michelle Bardach Understudy
Alex Batycki Ensemble
Carla Bennett Ensemble
Devon Michael Brown Ensemble
Wade Pierre Buller Swing
Jeremy Carver-James Minstrel
Dan Chameroy Nostradamus
Juan Chioran Brother Jeremiah
Jarret Cody Swing
Nehassaui deGannes Lady Clapham
Christine Desjardins Ensemble
Josh Doig Swing
Starr Domingue Bea Bottom
Henry Firmston Nigel Bottom
Jordan Goodridge Ensemble
Alexandra Gratton Swing
Bonnie Jordan Ensemble
Alex Kelly Ensemble
Jeff Lillico Shakespeare
Amanda Lundgren Ensemble
Gracie Mack Ensemble
Anthony MacPherson Understudy
Jordan Mah Ensemble
Jamie Murray Ensemble
Stephen Patterson Understudy
Ali Powell Swing
Brian Ross Ensemble
Steve Ross Shylock
Jason Sermonia Dance Captain, Ensemble
Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane Portia
Mark Uhre Nick Bottom
ARTISTIC CREDITS
Director Donna Feore
Choreographer Donna Feore
Music Director Laura Burton
Set and Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco
Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher
Sound Designer Haley Parcher
Fight and Intimacy Director Anita Nittoly
Associate Director Monique Lund
Associate Choreographer Anthony MacPherson
Assistant Director and Choreographer Bethany Kovarik
Associate Costume Designer Rebecca Chaikin
Assistant Lighting Designer Mathilda Kane
Assistant Lighting Designer Sruthi Suresan
Assistant Sound Designer Adam Campbell
Associate Conductor, Conductor James Smith
Associate Conductor Darryn de Souza
Associate Fight Director David Chinchilla
Stage Manager Cynthia Toushan
Assistant Stage Manager Maria Fewer-Muncic
Assistant Stage Manager Tiffany Fraser
Assistant Stage Manager Caitlin Mears
Production Stage Manager Krista Blackwood
Production Assistant Katherine Hunter
Technical Director Robbin Cheesman
