The musical opens Friday and runs for two weekends only at the Rogers Theater, 257 N. Third St. in beautiful downtown Rogers City. Show dates are April 19-21 and 26-28. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for students. The box office opens one hour before showtime.

Set in the ’90s — the Elizabethan era 1590s, that is — we find Shakespeare and an unforgettable cast center stage in an epic comedy that pits the wits of the Bard against his arch-nemesis, Nicholas Bottom. As both bards spar for certain fame and fortune, they struggle to innovate and create. Will Nick’s younger brother Nigel provide the key to their inspiration through his poetic heart and perfect words in iambic pentameter? Will the Bottom brothers oust Shakespeare from his lofty perch by creating the world’s first musical with the help of Nostradamus? With only one victor, you’ll witness the crowning of the everlasting King of the Elizabethan Stage.

This family-friendly play (PG-10 for mild adult language and innuendo) features song and dance with sweet romance, and happy endings happening by happenstance. You’ll be tapping your toes to the snappy show tunes and laughing out loud as you catch a glimpse of the future of musical theatre.

“This is the Renaissance era,” Director Pennie Hoeft said at rehearsal on Wednesday night. “And Shakespeare is, like, the thing right now. It’s about another couple of brothers that are writers, and they’re trying to compete with Shakespeare. And Shakespeare’s a snake.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The Bard himself (Jeff Janowiec) wows the crowd with his magnificent talent and shiny silver track suit in “Something Rotten!” The hilarious musical opens Friday, presented by Rogers City Community Theatre.

With music, dance, and a whole lot of comedy, this production is as entertaining as it gets.

“The music is so fun, and so great,” Hoeft added. “Everyone has pulled together, and everyone is helping each other.”

Jeff Janowiec plays Shakespeare, and is one of the assistant directors, along with Jackie Supina and Donna Klein.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” Janowiec said. “We have some tap dancing battles in this one.”

That’s just one reason to attend “Something Rotten!” If you want to smile for two hours, get your tickets now.