Every summer, Thin Air Shakespeare audience members pack their picnic baskets, collect their friends, and enjoy a free, professional Shakespeare production on the lawn at the Center for the Arts.
In 2026, this beloved Jackson tradition is getting a little twist – Off Square Theatre will be presenting the first Thin Air Shakespeare MUSICAL!
Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten!. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten! was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”.
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that pesky Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
With direction by Kate Gleason, music direction by Jordan Ortman, and choreography by Ben Roeling, Something Rotten! is sure to be a highlight of the summer. Off Square Theatre is overjoyed to bring a toe-tapping professional musical to our community in the spirit of Thin Air Shakespeare – accessible and completely free!
Mark your calendars for Something Rotten! now – and while you’re at it, check out Off Square Theatre’s exciting 2026 season at this link.
