New principals join Something Rotten! from 18 July 2016

Broadway's musical comedy Something Rotten! will welcome new principal cast members from 18 July 2016.

Newcomers to the show Josh Grisetti and Leslie Kritzer will assume the roles of Nigel Bottom and Bea, respectively, whilst ensemble member Catherine Brunell will take over as Portia. Current cast members John Cariani, Kate Reinders, and Heidi Blickenstaff will all play their final performances on 16 July 2016.

Mr Grisetti made his Broadway debut as Marty Kaufman in 'It Shoulda Been You' last season, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination. Ms Kritzer's previous Broadway credits include 'Elf,' 'Sondheim on Sondheim,' 'Legally Blonde,' 'Hairspray,' and her Drama Desk-nominated performance in 'A Catered Affair.' Ms Brunell has appeared on the Great White Way in 'Les Misérables,' 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' 'Mary Poppins,' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' and 'Elf.'

As previously announced, Tony nominee Rob McClure will assume the role of Nick Bottom from 2 June 2016 at Broadway's St James Theatre. He is set to replace three-time Tony nominee Brian d'Arcy James, who will play his last performance on 29 May 2016.

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), Tony nominee David Beach (Brother Jeremiah), Edward Hibbert (Lord Clapham/Master of Justice), Gerry Vichi (Shylock), and André Ward (Minstrel).

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 1 January 2017.

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