Fair audience, I bid you welcome to Something Rotten! JR., where merriment and mischief await upon our humble stage. Fear not! I promise not to speak in Shakespearean verse the whole time. Let me step out of the Elizabethan for a moment and speak from the heart…
It’s hard to believe this is my third year directing at Hommocks Middle School. Each show brings new milestones, and I am deeply grateful for the people I get to work with every day. We are a community rooted in collaboration, creativity, and friendship. Our shared love of storytelling and theater brings us together. More than anything, I hope this is a place where everyone has a chance to feel they belong. Together, we’re creating a space where students can take risks, build confidence, and discover their voices, both on stage and off. Leading this incredible group of 78 cast members, 58 crew members, and 8 devoted adults, is an absolute privilege. I am amazed every year by what middle schoolers can accomplish when given the chance. Spoiler: they can do just about anything!
This production has offered our cast and crew a truly exciting challenge. Unlike our previous shows, which were based on beloved films and classic stories, Something Rotten! JR. invites our students into entirely new territory. Without the comfort of well-known characters or familiar plots, they have had to dig deep, make bold choices, and hatch this story from scratch. The music is complex, the choreography demanding, and the comedy relies on both timing and the courage to take risks. The energy and determination they bring have pushed our whole community to grow, learn, and achieve more. This production is a true testament to their collective spirit.
Something Rotten! JR. is a joyful, hilarious celebration of creativity. The story follows two brothers chasing success in Shakespeare’s shadow, only to discover that the courage to try something new leads to true growth. I see that same courage in our students, who have stepped outside their comfort zones, supported one another, and taken bold creative risks. During rehearsals, they have scrambled, cracked, and even poached a few moments, sometimes literally, showing that creativity can be messy, unpredictable, and full of discovery. This journey has been filled with laughter, learning, and pride. This performance is about honoring their hard work and sharing this vibrant world they have built together with you.
Thank you for supporting the arts in Mamaroneck. Spaces like this are essential, offering a place for connection, joy, and shared experience that strengthens our entire community.
…And lo, I return to thee! Good people, laugh your heads off (though I beg you, not quite literally), for our merry players prefer their audience whole.
With gratitude,
Rachel Heyman, Director
