By now you know the basic premise of the Tony-nominated, LOL musical Something Rotten!
—It’s the 1590s and Nick and Nigel Bottom create the first musical in hopes of eclipsing their professional nemesis, William Shakespeare. (Clip begins at 1:58)But the show's side plot about Nick Bottom and his wife, Bea, is legit straight out of America’s most beloved sitcom, I Love Lucy. Here’s why fans of the classic TV comedy should get over to the St. James to enjoy a Lucy episode live.
So in Something Rotten!, Nick Bottom (Brian d’Arcy James) is in a bit of trouble (financially and career-wise) but his pride won’t allow him to let his super capable wife, Bea (Heidi Blickenstaff), step in to help him out.
Even though she sings this amazing song all about how she can save the day. It's like if Lucy could belt (#MameShade).
Nick still says no, and very much like Lucy trying to be in Ricky’s show, Bea has no choice but to take matters into her own hands.
Cut to Bea donning a ton of disguises, some accents, and being all-around hilarious in the hopes of helping her hubby.
And like Ricky Ricardo, Nick Bottom is a stubborn man who truly believes he doesn’t need the much-needed help.
But eventually he comes to his senses; and like any great episode of Lucy, Nick and Bea share a happy ending while the audience enjoys some full-out belly laughs in the process.
See I Love Bea Something Rotten! at Broadway’s St. James Theatre.
