Something Rotten! is a hilarious and inventive musical comedy set in the Renaissance, a time when William Shakespeare is the rock star of the literary world. The story follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, struggling playwrights desperate to write a hit play that will outshine Shakespeare. Nick, frustrated by their lack of success and jealous of Shakespeare's popularity, turns to a soothsayer named Nostradamus, who predicts the future of theater will be in a form called "musicals," where actors sing and dance to tell the story.

Inspired by this bizarre yet intriguing idea, the Bottom brothers decide to create the world’s first musical, leading to chaotic and comedic results. They end up writing a show called Omelette: The Musical, based on a mistaken prophecy about Shakespeare's future play, Hamlet. As Nick and Nigel navigate the challenges of producing a musical and deal with rivalries, love interests, and their own ambitions, Something Rotten!

RiverTowne Players is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enriching and entertaining the residents of Eastern North Carolina by providing high-quality theatre. Our mission is to offer a platform for local actors, musicians, and artists to showcase their talents.

We are proud to call the historic Masonic Theatre our home. Originally opened in 1805, the Masonic Theatre was once the cultural heart of New Bern, hosting stage plays, talent benefits, concerts, and vaudeville acts. During the Civil War, it served as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital for Union soldiers. In 1917, it was converted into a motion picture theater, operating continuously until 1974, making it the nation's oldest continually operating theatre until its closure.

Today, the Masonic Theatre has been lovingly restored to its original purpose of live entertainment. Visitors can experience the unique ambiance of the oldest working theatre in the United States while enjoying a RiverTowne Players production.

Location:
Masonic Theatre
514 Hancock Street
New Bern, NC 28560