PRESS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Florida School of the Arts presents the musical Something Rotten

FloArts presents musical Something Rotten

The year is 1595 and it’s the height of the English Renaissance. Brothers Nick and Nigel are desperate to compete with William Shakespeare in the theatrical world, so they entrust the misguided visions of a reckless soothsayer and create the world’s first musical. Imagine, a play where the story is told through random bursts of singing and excessive dance breaks – genius!

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.

Florida School of the Arts presents the over-the-top musical comedy “Something Rotten” February 28 – March 2. Book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell. Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick & Wayne Kirkpatrick.

FloArts acting professor and play director Kevin Kelly calls it one of the funniest plays within a play, that takes a light-hearted poke at theater, its audience and the popularity of musical theater. “It pokes fun at everyone, including Shakespeare,” Kelly said. “It’s a great original, American musical that’s not based on a movie or tv show.”

The show runs on the FloArts mainstage (SJR State Palatka Campus):

• Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m<./li>
• Sunday, March 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online in advance or at the box office one hour before showtime.

The cast includes Andrew McClelland, Garrett Bleau, Jasmine Bruce, Sarah Tierney, Farentino Lennox, Bella Cassillas, Israel White and Olivia Gonzales.

Men’s Ensemble are Ian Leduc, Israel White, Javier Pinto, Winston Sejda. Women’s Ensemble are Makari Nealy, Mara Gonzalez, Rose Roberts, Lexi Brockway, Olivia Gonzales. Bard Boyz are Shelby Howell, Autumn Airey, Kylie Stecher, Alexandra Pierre, Annika Klee, Angel Hart.

Florida School of the Arts is located on the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus and serves the entire state of Florida. FloArts is part of the academic and administrative structure of SJR State and awards associate degrees in acting, dance performance, musical theater, stage management, theater technology, graphic design/new media and studio art. For more information, call (386) 312-4300 or visit FloArts.