Photo by Joan Marcus

"It's a Musical..." and it earned an impressive total of 10 Tony nominations (with a side order of a Grammy nomination) last year, including a nomination for Best Musical. And it may be "Hard to be the Bard," but Christian Borle's efforts as the Rockstar God-like playwright certainly paid off as he took home the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Brian d'Arcy James and Brad Oscar, who portray Nick Bottom and Nostradamus, respectively, also earned Tony nominations for their performances and both should be commended for their excellent comic skills. They led the showstopping number "A Musical" halfway through Act One and, along with the superb ensemble, were rewarded with the aforementioned standing ovation which seemed to go on relentlessly.

The success of this hilarious show lies in the combined humour of its writers - Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell - and the audience's knowledge of musicals throughout history and the musical as an artform. The parodies of past favourites hit you with the ferocity of a sequin-bedazzled, tap-dancing mini-gun. I recall loving jibes at such theatrical gems as 'Dreamgirls,' 'Chicago,' 'Rent,' and 'Annie,' to name just a few. Granted a few of these may be lost on the casual theatregoer, but unapologetic musical aficionados like myself revel in it. And the premise of the show is so simple, yet brilliant - Playwright brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom always seem to be playing second fiddle to everyone's favourite Bard Will Shakespeare. That is until Nick visits soothsayer Nostradamus to ask about the future of popular theatre. As the yet-unheard-of concept of a musical is explained, Nick decides to stage the world's first-ever musical... in Renaissance England.

The fact that nearly all the actors retain their native American accents, despite the action taking place in London in 1595, also works well in a kind of tongue-in-cheek Hollywoodisation of 16th century England. Christian Borle's Austin Powers-esque British accent also then sets his character apart from his contemporaries as the true English icon.

I have always been a huge fan of Monty Python's 'Spamalot' and Wayne Kirkpatrick himself even unashamedly stated:

"We didn't set out to steal from Python. But growing up being exposed to their comedy, I'm sure their influence is in there somewhere. And if that is a problem, then I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberry."

This is one musical I could re-visit time and time again and I would always be delighted to hear those inviting words "Welcome to the Renaissance." I hope this wonderful cast will be able to welcome you this week too! Omelette, anyone???

Click here for tickets to Something Rotten!, which is currently booking through to 4 September 2016 at Broadway's St James Theatre.

- by Tom Millward