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Community Performance Series Presents 2025 Summer Musical Production of 'Something Rotten!'

'Something Rotten!' Stars Community Cast, Showing from July 9 to 13, in SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center

Potsdam, NY (07/01/2025) — Community Performance Series will present a production of "Something Rotten!" this summer at SUNY Potsdam. The production will run from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13, with five showtimes.

"Something Rotten!" is a hit Broadway musical comedy that follows two brothers who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of William Shakespeare. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards.

The show features a creative team partnership of more than 80 SUNY Potsdam faculty, staff and students working alongside local alumni, professionals and educators. To learn more, visit www.cpspotsdam.org/summer-musical.

"'Something Rotten!' is a love letter to musical theatre. It reminds us how easily we can get caught up in chasing success, trends, and the next big thing. At its heart, the show is a celebration of originality, collaboration, the challenge of finding your own voice, and the joy of doing what you love," said Stage Director Jade Varney '04. "Beneath the comedy and outrageous moments, the show beautifully highlights the struggle to create something meaningful and the enduring importance of the arts, while simultaneously offering a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. 'Something Rotten!' may be a hilarious, over-the-top story, but its message is timeless: The arts matter, they bring us joy, and they deserve to thrive. It's been a privilege to work with such a talented cast and crew to bring this hilarious and heartfelt story to life for our community."

Along with Varney's stage direction, vocal direction for "Something Rotten!" is by Jonathan Burnett '09 & '16, with choreography by Kerri Canedy. The live pit orchestra will be directed by Jill Roberts '90. The show's lighting and sound design is by Joshua Barkley '21, while Krystal Hewer '09 is the scenic and technical director, and Suzanne Waters '87 leads production design.

"This production is a true campus-community partnership in every way. We are proud to join a mix of community members with SUNY Potsdam alumni, faculty/staff and current students together for this wildly funny and heartfelt musical production. I am genuinely awed by the level of talent on and off stage -- we are so lucky to have such talented folks in our community," said CPS Executive Director Vanessa Vaverchak '27.

The cast of "Something Rotten!" includes:

  • Casey Sweeney as Nick Bottom
  • Silas Smith as Nigel Bottom
  • Katey Fuller as Bea Bottom
  • Gloria Diederich '27 as Portia
  • Drew Autote '25 as Shakespeare
  • Ryan Hewer '16 as Shylock
  • Jim Fryer as T. Nostradamus
  • Jennifer Blewett '03 as Lady Clapham
  • Dani Knight as the Minstrel
  • Jonathan Barnett '09 & '16 as Brother Jeremiah
  • Sophia Guerard as Ophelia
  • Hailey Hodge as Rosalind
  • Ava Rutherford as Celia
  • Asher Cragg as Peter Quince
  • Kyle Flint as Wall Weaver
  • K. Chad Graham as Robin Goodfellow
  • Hunter Scharoun '27 as Tom Snout
  • Cole Zenger as Francis Flute

In addition, the show's ensemble features Lydianna Soleil Burnett, Clare Cragg, Sarah Diederich '02 & '08, Angela Dwyer '04, Christopher Dwyer '05 & '08, Mady James, Adaleigh Novack and Nicole White.

"Something Rotten!" is a high-energy, hilarious musical full of clever wordplay. While it's generally family-friendly, it is recommended for ages 8 and up, due to crude language and suggestive innuendo.

Setting the scene

The Performing Arts Center lobby will be transformed into a Renaissance village throughout the run of "Something Rotten!," thanks to the creativity and hard work of the Community Performance Series high school internship program participants.

Audience members should keep an eye out during intermission; there may (or may not) be a touch of surprise (light) mayhem, too!

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at www.cpspotsdam.org. Youth, senior and military discounts are available.

In-person ticket purchases at the SUNY Potsdam Box Office, located in the Performing Arts Center lobby, are also available. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the Box Office will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

The musical is timed to coincide with Reunion 2025 at SUNY Potsdam and with the annual Potsdam Summer Festival, allowing visitors and community members to add a night or an afternoon at the theatre to their celebrations.

"Something Rotten!" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Learn more at www.slcartscouncil.org.

About Community Performance Series:

The Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

"Something Rotten!" is now in rehearsal at SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, to be presented as the Community Performance Series summer musical from July 9 to 13.

Community Performance Series will present the 2025 summer musical, "Something Rotten!," from July 9 to 13, in conjunction with Reunion at SUNY Potsdam and the Potsdam Summer Festival.

The cast and crew of the Community Performance Series summer musical includes more than 80 alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members.

Rehearsals are in full swing for the premiere of "Something Rotten!" for Community Performance Series. The production will run from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13, with five showtimes.

Tickets are now on sale for "Something Rotten!" through Community Performance Series. To purchase, visit www.cpspotsdam.org, or visit the SUNY Potsdam Box Office, located in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

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