After wrapping up the 2024 play, “Clue,” the Hayes Thespians have started working on the spring musical, “Something Rotten.”
In contrast to last year’s musical, “Legally Blonde,” which had a major female lead, “Something Rotten” requires two strong male actors.
“We have a lot of really strong male actors right now, it really gives them a chance to shine,” Director Dara Gillis said.
“Something Rotten” takes the audience through a story of two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom. The scene is set during the Renaissance as they try to write a play but struggle to do so because of their fierce competition, Shakespeare. The brothers realize they can’t compete with the popular playwright so they begin working on the first ever musical.
“We haven’t really done a period piece like this in a really long time,” senior cast member Carissa Matson said. “I’m so excited for these stunning Renaissance costumes.”
The cast’s costumes have been rented through “Debbie’s Costume Shop” to provide accurate costumes for the time period.
The musical is around two and half hours long and requires a burdensome set. This year the set will be inspired by an Elizabethan village and the Globe Theatre, which is where Shakespeare performed some of his best known plays.
“I’m really excited to continue building, [get] on the actual stage, start moving stuff around and just pull the show together,” sophomore crew member Stanley Salyers said.
Rehearsals started the week of Jan. 31, with the cast and crew meeting after school to work on the production for around two hours each school day.
“[The students are] doing great, they’re working hard and we’re getting a lot done,” Gillis said. “Things are moving along really well.”
As opening night approaches, the students will begin working longer and longer hours. Starting March, rehearsals begin to go until 8 p.m and students will work as an ensemble in order to be able to open on March 13. Tickets are available online at OnStage Tickets with tickets on sale from now until Feb. 15.
“I’m just really excited to see everything come together,” Matson said. “I think it’s a brilliant show.”
