April 17, 2025, is the opening night of the KHS theater department’s spring musical, “Something Rotten.”
“Something Rotten” is a comedic love letter to musical theater. The plot follows Nick and Nigel Bottom during their quest to become famous while being overshadowed by “The Bard” (William Shakespeare). The musical showcases elaborate costumes and entertaining dance numbers.
This year’s musical is in stark contrast to previous years, with a lot more humor and lightheartedness than death and seriousness.
“[The cast has] done a lot of classical Golden Age musicals, so I wanted to do something that was more modern and that would push them,” Director Rachel Giles-Bachman said.
The tone is not the only thing different in this year’s musical. “Something Rotten” requires new skills and techniques from the performers.
“[We are] doing something that is still a large-scale production, but bringing different characters, different styles of dance and singing that we haven’t done in a while,” Giles-Bachman said.
Not only does Giles-Bachman feel that the musical will be more lighthearted this year, but the cast and students who have participated in past musicals feel that the audience will enjoy it more.
“Compared to last year, it’s way more funny this year, and I cannot wait to see the audience’s reactions to all the fun,” senior and male lead Keiton Westfall said.
“Something Rotten” is classified as smart humor, and it includes several witty one-liners and puns. There are nods to many of Shakespeare’s plays, including “Romeo and Juliet.” Many performers are looking forward to having the audience laugh at their jokes and scenes.
“When the audience is laughing or cheering, that’s your sign that you are doing something right,” freshman Jack Bicker said. “You made them feel something, which is ultimately what this is about.”
Landing their jokes is not the only thing cast members must worry about. Reciting lines, blocking, singing and performing choreography adds up, and putting it all together at once can be challenging for even the best performers.
In preparation for the auditions, students worked hard to learn choreography and practice their songs. For many in this year’s musical, auditions were familiar but more challenging.
“This year I had to learn how to tap dance, and I’ve never tap danced before. It was entirely new,” Westfall said.
While learning this challenging choreography, cast members bonded regardless of age.
Bicker was the only underclassman on stage during the fall play, “Radium Girls,” but he shared that the upperclassmen are extremely kind and welcoming of him and his talent.
“They were all so sweet and caring,” Bicker said. “I really created a bond with them that will last so long.”
One of the largest numbers in the show is “A Musical.” During this song, Nostradamus explains what a musical is to someone from Shakespearean times. Nostradamus and the rest of the cast make references to iconic musicals while performing an over-the-top tap dance break.
“It’s completely crazy, and I love it,” Bicker, who plays Nostradamus, said.
To succeed in those extravagant numbers during the show, not only is there work put in by those in the main roles, but there is constant effort and collaboration behind the scenes.
“Stage crew and our technical team deserve a lot of credit,” Giles-Bachman said. “I have two student directors who do a lot of the work, like gathering props and creating the aesthetic of the show.”
Many members of the cast feel that this addition to the theater department is an ode to their personalities and a play on their childhood.
“[Playing the character] Portia is like channeling my inner child,” junior and female lead Kailey Kunstman said. “It is a very funny show in general.”
