The Amarillo Little Theatre Academy is inviting audiences to step into a hilariously twisted version of the Renaissance, as it presents “Something Rotten!,” a Broadway-style musical comedy running for one weekend only, July 10-13.
Directed by Academy Director Harrison Stringer, the production features 28 student performers from Amarillo and Canyon — high schoolers who have spent five to six weeks of their summer learning satire, choreography, and comic timing for a show Stringer calls “a spectacle.”
“I saw it on Broadway in 2015 and immediately fell in love,” Stringer said. “It’s filled with inside jokes for theater lovers, but it’s also laugh-out-loud funny for anyone. Even if you miss the musical references, there are so many sharp one-liners, you’ll still be entertained.”
Set in 1595 London, the show follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, struggling playwrights desperate to escape the shadow of William Shakespeare — reimagined here as a swaggering, self-absorbed celebrity. When a soothsayer predicts that “musicals” will be the next big thing in theater, the brothers embark on writing the world’s first one, only to hilariously misinterpret Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as “Omelette.”
“It’s a little ridiculous, but in the best way,” Stringer said. “It’s got British humor, modern snark, some surprisingly heartfelt moments — and a lot of tap dancing, which I love.”
From student to star
Seventeen-year-old Owen Parker, a senior at Amarillo High, takes on his first leading role as Nick Bottom — a part that asks him to carry the emotional and comedic load of the show.
“It’s been humbling, honestly,” Parker said. “I’ve played supporting roles before, but Nick is on stage so much. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve learned to trust the cast and the process.”
He said connecting with fellow cast members, especially Jace Norris — who plays Nostradamus — helped him grow his comic instincts.
“Jace is hilarious, and we’ve built a real rhythm together,” Parker said. “Getting to know him off-stage made a big difference. We bounce off each other in a way that just clicks.”
Though Parker hadn’t heard of “Something Rotten!” before auditions, he quickly fell in love with the script.
“Every night something new makes me laugh,” he said. “The writing is just so smart. The songs are catchy, the story has heart, and it really celebrates the weird, wonderful world of theater.”
Parker, who hopes to pursue acting professionally after high school, said the experience has only solidified his goals.
“I want to study acting, maybe start at Amarillo College and eventually head to New York or California,” he said. “This show has definitely pushed me, and I’m better for it.”
The Bard, but bigger
Playing Shakespeare as a leather-clad heartthrob is Javier Alessandro Dieguez, a seasoned Academy performer who recently completed a Broadway audition intensive in New York.
“Shakespeare is the pop star of this world,” Dieguez said. “He’s over-the-top, full of himself, and obsessed with being adored. But there’s also a layer of insecurity underneath that I get to explore.”
Dieguez delivers one of the musical’s standout numbers, “Will Power,” as if it were a rock concert.
“It’s wild. There’s smoke, lights, screaming fans,” he said. “I’m not just acting Shakespeare — I’m performing like a rock god. It’s exhausting, but in the best way.”
To prepare, Dieguez watched professional productions and YouTube clips of both Broadway and high school versions of the role.
“I don’t try to copy anyone, but I take little pieces of what I like,” he said. “In the end, I try to bring myself into the character. That’s something I learned in New York — don’t just ask, ‘How would Shakespeare act?’ Ask, ‘How would I act in this moment as Shakespeare?’”
He said the character’s energy is infectious.
“People are going to be surprised by how contemporary the show feels,” he said. “It’s technically set in 1595, but the jokes, the language, the music — it’s totally modern.”
A production worth betting on
Stringer said the cast has poured itself into the production, rehearsing afternoons and evenings — sometimes twice a day — while managing school prep, jobs and summer activities.
“They’re knocking out complex tap numbers, belting out harmonies, and pulling off quick changes like pros,” he said. “It’s going to surprise a lot of people who think, ‘Oh, it’s just a student show.’ The quality is on par with our adult mainstage work.”
The production is supported by Music Director Kayden Burns, Choreographer Beth Alexander, Costume Designer Aimee Pritchard, and Scenic Designer Tana Roberson. Socorra Carrillo, Mabry Fristoe and Tres Norris round out the creative team.
The show is rated PG-13, and Stringer said it’s best for audiences 13 and up — not because of inappropriate content, but due to the layered humor and satire.
“It’s a smarter, more mature script than some of our past shows,” he said. “But the students have taken to it beautifully. It’s a blast.”
Why it matters
Because of the show’s scale and licensing costs, “Something Rotten!” will only run one weekend.
“We wanted to fill the big Mainstage house instead of the Adventure Space,” Stringer said. “That means higher stakes — but also a bigger opportunity.”
He acknowledged the show might be a tougher sell due to name recognition.
“People know ‘Frozen,’ ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Junie B. Jones’ — but this is different,” he said. “It’s fresh, it’s bold, and it’s something you’ve likely never seen before. Take a chance. You’ll be glad you did.”
Dieguez echoed that sentiment.
“This show is a hidden gem,” he said. “It’s rewatchable, it’s hilarious, and I think Amarillo audiences will leave surprised by how much they enjoyed something they didn’t know existed.”
Parker put it more simply: “If you like to laugh — or just want to see tap-dancing eggs — you don’t want to miss this.”
If you go:
What: “Something Rotten!” presented by Amarillo Little Theatre Academy
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 10, 11 and 12; and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13
Where: Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle
Tickets: $22 for ages 12 and up, $18 for under 12
Box Office: (806) 355-9991 or www.amarillolittletheatre.org
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Academy students bring Shakespearean satire to life in ‘Something Rotten!’
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
