Olivier Award-nominated star Marisha Wallace has been announced as the latest cast member to join the UK premiere of Something Rotten!, opening in Manchester this summer.
The award-winning comedy musical will open at the Manchester Opera House from 16 June to 19 July 2026, ahead of a planned West End run.
Wallace will star as Bea, the show’s leading lady, joining the previously announced Jason Manford as Nick Bottom and Richard Fleeshman as William Shakespeare.
The performer is well known for her stage work in Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Waitress and Dreamgirls, and previously appeared in Something Rotten! during its Broadway run.
She said: “I’m beyond thrilled to have been cast in the UK premiere of Something Rotten! It was pure joy to be a part of this hilarious musical on Broadway a decade ago – so now, to be joining this incredible company for the first time that UK audiences will get to see it, is a full-circle moment in the best way. I can’t wait to dive back in!”
Set in the 1590s, Something Rotten! follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they attempt to write the world’s first musical while living in the shadow of Renaissance rockstar William Shakespeare.
The show is created by the award-winning team of Wayne Kirkpatrick, Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, and was a major hit on Broadway where it received 10 Tony Award nominations.
This new UK production is directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson and follows the WhatsOnStage Award-winning concert version presented in 2023.
The production is presented by Kevin McCollum of Alchemation and Joshua Andrews of JAS Theatricals, with Manchester ABID supporting the Manchester Gets it First programme.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
