Meet the Bottom Brothers: Rose Center Theater Reveals Cast of Something Rotten!
- Rose Center Theater
- May 28
- 4 min read
WESTMINSTER, CA — The Renaissance is getting ridiculous in the best possible way. Rose Center Theater has officially announced the full cast for its highly anticipated summer musical Something Rotten!, running June 27 – July 20, 2025, and leading the charge are two Bottom brothers you won’t want to miss.
Bringing big energy and even bigger laughs, Jacob Phelen stars as Nick Bottom, the wildly ambitious playwright with a flair for the dramatic. A veteran of Good Company Players, Jacob has tackled leading roles such as Jack Kelly in Newsies, Corny Collins in Hairspray, and William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. With a background in Meisner technique, advanced vocal training, and a dash of balloon animal magic, Jacob is a comedic powerhouse perfectly primed to lead this Renaissance romp with bold choices, impeccable timing, and a Bottom that’s anything but bottom-tier.
Making his Rose Center Theater debut, Jeremy Vance steps into the spotlight as the lovable and lyrically gifted Nigel Bottom! A graduate of AMDA and a featured performer at Disneyland, Jeremy’s range and charisma have lit up the stage in standout roles like JD in Heathers: The Musical, George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, and Young Ben in Follies. With training in acting, voice, and dance, and a resume that spans coast to coast, Jeremy brings heart, humor, and Broadway-caliber talent to every moment on stage, making this Bottom brother truly unforgettable in rhyme, rhythm, and heart.
Based on the hit Broadway show that earned 10 Tony nominations, Something Rotten! is a wildly funny love letter to musical theater set in 1595. The plot follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they attempt to write the world’s first musical—while competing with none other than Shakespeare himself.
Directed and musically directed by Tim Nelson, the Rose Center Theater production features a cast of local talent ready to bring the outrageous comedy and over-the-top production numbers to life. Supporting the Bottom brothers are Brennan Eckberg as the egotistical and ever-glamorous Shakespeare, along with a robust ensemble filled with triple-threat performers from across Orange County.
Audiences can now get an inside look at both leading actors through exclusive Q&A, released this week on the Rose Center Theater’s Instagram and Facebook. In these videos, Phelen and Vance share what excites them about the roles, their favorite moments in the show, and why Something Rotten! is the perfect summer escape.
“He’s caring- always looking out for his wife and brother-, ambitious- always looking for that next big thing, and...a little jealous” Phelen laughs when asked to describe Nick in three words. Vance, meanwhile, calls Nigel “awkward, naive, and super vulnerable,” and adds, “He just wants to write his poetry. He's super loving- he loves his brother, he loves Portia. He's just a silly guy.”
With book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten! is a riotous mashup of Renaissance meets Broadway. The musical originally debuted on Broadway in 2015, earning 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.
This summer’s production at the Rose Center Theater features a talented ensemble of local performers, vibrant costumes, and high-energy choreography that brings 1595 London to dazzling life.
“It’s got everything: romance, rivalry, ridiculous dance numbers, and yes, a musical about musicals,” says Managing Artistic Director Tim Nelson. “We’re having the time of our lives bringing this one to the stage.”
Also in the cast are Tawni Bridenball as Bea Bottom, Olivia Aniceto as Portia, Chris Caputo as Thomas Nostradamus, Vincent Aniceto as Brother Jeremiah, Tom Orr as Shylock, Randall Goddard as Lord Clapham, Catherine Dosier, Jillian Matthews, and Colette Peters as the Minstrels, and Scott Juhl as Sir Walter Raleigh, rounding out a company that blends seasoned performers with rising local talent.
But perhaps what sets Something Rotten! apart is its self-aware, pun-laden, and fourth-wall-breaking humor- a love letter to musical theater fans that pokes fun at the very genre it celebrates.
And don’t miss the Gala Performance on Saturday, June 28 at 6:30 PM, a festive evening featuring a performance preceded by a Renaissance-inspired reception. It’s the perfect way to celebrate opening weekend in style.
🎬 Watch the Q&A Reels
Jacob Phelen and Jeremy Kie Vance’s video spotlights are now live on the Rose Center Theater’s Instagram and Facebook pages. Follow along for more cast reveals, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and blooper reels guaranteed to make you laugh.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now at www.rosecentertheater.com/something-rotten, including special group discounts for parties of 16 or more.
Whether you're a Shakespeare buff, a musical lover, or just looking for a hilarious night out — Something Rotten! has something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to see what all the ruckus is about.
Keywords: Something Rotten Rose Center Theater, Orange County summer musicals 2025, Jeremy Kie Vance Nigel Bottom, Jacob Phelen Nick Bottom, Broadway musical Orange County, Shakespeare musical comedy, Local theater casting announcement, Something Rotten cast 2025, Rose Center Theater events, Musical theater Orange County
