Broadway's Something Rotten! welcomes André Ward

Last night Broadway's musical comedy Something Rotten! welcomed André Ward to the cast. He assumed the role of Minstrel/Snug from former cast member Michael James Scott, who played his final performance on 31 January 2016.

André Ward has previously appeared on the Great White Way in 'Rock Of Ages,' 'Xanadu,' 'The Producers,' and 'Saturday Night Fever.' He has also performed in the National Tours of 'Pippin,' 'The Producers,' 'Ragtime,' 'Cinderella,' and 'Dreamgirls.'

The current principal cast of Something Rotten! includes three-time Tony nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Nick Bottom), two-time Tony winner Christian Borle (The Bard), Tony nominee John Cariani (Nigel Bottom), Heidi Blickenstaff (Bea), two-time Tony nominee Brad Oscar (Nostradamus), Kate Reinders (Portia), David Beach (Brother Jeremiah), Edward Hibbert (Lord Clapham/Master of Justice), Gerry Vichi (Shylock), and André Ward (Minstrel/Snug).

Something Rotten! officially opened at Broadway's St James Theatre on 22 April 2015, following previews from 23 March, and is currently booking through to 4 September 2016.

Something Rotten! features music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O'Farrell. The musical comedy is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw.

Synopsis: "Welcome to the '90s — the 1590s — long before the dawn of premium tickets, star casting and reminders to turn off your cell phones. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! 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."

The creative team features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, and hair design by Josh Marquette. Musical direction is by Phil Reno, with arrangements by Glen Kelly and orchestrations by Larry Hochman.

Something Rotten! is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum.

- by Tom Millward