The musical "Something Rotten!" is a production directed by Yuichi Fukuda, perfect for all musical fans!

The musical "Something Rotten!" opened at Tokyo International Forum Hall C on December 19, 2025.
ブロードウェイで2015年に初演され、トニー賞9部門ノミネート・1部門受賞した大ヒット・コメディミュージカル「サムシング・ロッテン！」が、7年ぶりに日本で再演！2018年に東京・大阪で上演され、観客を笑いの渦に巻き込んだ話題作が、12月19日（金）より東京国際フォーラム ホールCにて、2026年1月8日(木)よりオリックス劇場(大阪)にて上演されます。
This work boldly parodies popular musicals and classic plays, including Shakespeare's works, but is packed with love and passion for theater, captivating theater fans around the world.
In addition to Akinori Nakagawa, who will be continuing to play Nick from the previous film, and Jun Sena, who will be playing Bea, new cast members include Kazuki Kato as Shakespeare, Zen Ishikawa as Nostradamus, Tatsuki Otomo (CLASS SEVEN) as Nigel, and Nako Yabuki as Portia.

The last laugh of the night, the first laugh of the night! "Something Rotten!" directed by Yuichi Fukuda ~Interview before the opening~

Nakagawa Akinori: I will be playing the role of Nick Bottom. My name is Nakagawa Akinori. This is my first work in seven years, so I definitely wanted to be the top in this one again. But my name is Bottom... and that's a pun! Haha. It's a really fun work. I'll give it my all. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Kato Kazuki: I'm Kato Kazuki, who plays William Shakespeare. Thank you for coming today. This is my first time working with Fukuda, so I was a little nervous, but we all worked together and practiced hard. I'm sure this will be a wonderful production that will bring laughs over the New Year period, so I hope you'll enjoy it.

Ishikawa Zen: I'm Ishikawa Zen, who plays Nostradamus. This is my first time appearing in a production directed by Fukuda-san, and my fellow cast members and I have been practicing hard and working together to bring laughter to the audience. I don't often say this, but I would like to ask everyone to purchase their tickets early before they sell out!

Otomo Tatsuki: I'm Otomo Tatsuki, who plays Nigel Bottom. I never thought the day would come when I'd get to play Akki (Nakagawa)'s brother, so I'm really happy.

Fukuda Yuichi: Your mother is a fan of Sena Jun.

Daito Tatsuki: That's right. I feel truly blessed to be playing a family member with such great people as Sena-san and Akki (Nakagawa). I'll do my best. Thank you very much.

Yabuki Nako: I'll be playing the role of Portia. My name is Yabuki Nako. Like Ishikawa, this was my first time working with Fukuda's direction, and it was really fun watching everyone act freely from the rehearsal room. I think it's a play that will make you laugh, so I hope you'll end the year with a laugh, and since there will be a performance at the beginning of the year, I hope it will also be a good start to 2026. Thank you.

Sena Jun: I'm Sena Jun, who plays Bee. I've worked with Fukuda-san many times, and as always, we're doing a lot of different things together. As (Yabuki) Nako-chan said, I think this is a funny piece, so I'd like to end the show with "Something Rotten!" and open the show with "Something Rotten!" I look forward to your continued support until the final performance.

Yuichi Fukuda: I'm Fukuda, the director. I think it's because once the show starts I'm on the same level as the audience, so I don't give any criticism, and my job basically ends today haha. I'll be sitting in the back row with paper and pen every day until the final performance in Osaka, watching the show, and I want to laugh and cry with the audience.
Everyone please be careful and do your best!

Q. Please tell us how things have progressed so far and your enthusiasm for the opening day.

Nakagawa: I think you can see it if you look, but compared to Kato Kazuki's costumes, which are all dazzling, my costumes are denim and have a more subdued feel. There's a wonderful contrast within this story.
This time, we did a full rehearsal right from the first day of rehearsals. It had been a while since I last appeared in a production directed by Fukuda, so I asked Sena, who often works with Fukuda, "Do they do a full rehearsal on the first day these days?" and she replied, "It's been pretty much like this lately," which told me that they've updated the production haha.
However, I think that this meant that we were able to do full rehearsals many times, and I feel like I was able to naturally absorb the important points of the role and the work into my body.
I'm sure there are many different styles of rehearsals, but Fukuda's company is one of a kind and is filled with passion every time, so I think we can have a great opening day.

Kato: This is my first time to take part in a production directed by Fukuda-san, and I was a little surprised at how quickly they had a full rehearsal just one week before the reading.
At the beginning, Fukuda-san told us, including the principal ensemble, that he wanted everyone to "perform freely." The actors act by thinking about how to make this piece more interesting and how to deepen this scene. At the root of this is that we all love this piece and trust Fukuda-san. All that's left is for the audience to enjoy what we enjoyed.
I've discovered a new side of myself, and we've all worked together to create a production that will make even the discerning audience, who have seen many musicals before, say, "Wow! What is this?", as if something has popped out of a treasure chest, so I'm confident that they will enjoy it.

Q. Please tell us about your particular concerns about playing Shakespeare.

Kato: I saw the musical "Something Rotten!" on video when it was performed in 2018. Of course, I was familiar with the work itself, and Nishikawa Takanori's performance of William Shakespeare had such an impact that I struggled a lot during rehearsals about how to create my own version of Shakespeare. Akki (Nakagawa) and I co-starred in another production this year, so I feel like we're buddies. I hope to convey the relationship between Nick and Shakespeare that only Akki (Nakagawa) and I can create.

Nakagawa: It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but thanks to Fukuda's magic, a new side of Kazuki Kato is about to blossom.

Fukuda: I thought, "Wow, Kazuki (Kato) can make a voice like that!?" lol

Kato: I'll give it all! I'll give it all!

Q. What are the highlights of this event that are different from last time?

Fukuda: I think both Akki (Nakagawa) and Asako (Sena) will be completely different in this re-run.
I felt an overwhelming maternal love from Asako (Sena). Nigel is her younger brother, but the core of Asako (Sena)'s Bea is definitely tolerance.

Sena: I know I have to be careful and try to be a good wife and a good sister, but I also feel like somewhere deep down I feel like I have to protect the two of them even more than in the previous film.

Fukuda: After seven years, Akki (Nakagawa) has really become more of a bad guy as Nick, in a good way! Musical actors live in a dream world, so it's very difficult to strip away all that and be told to "play a bad guy," so I don't think there are many musical actors who can pull off a "bad guy" feel. When the show was performed in 2018, he still had a bit of the sparkle of a musical actor, but in this production, he's completely lacking in sparkle, in a good way! But he really shines in other performances, so I think he's a model actor.

Kato: This may sound harsh, but I don't think it's often that we see Akki (Nakagawa) playing a role that makes you think, "I love his flaws."

Sena: Nick, played by Akki (Nakagawa), has become even more of a failure, and I feel like I want to protect him twice as much and love him twice as much.

Fukuda: I make it a rule never to discuss character development with actors, but the day before the final rehearsal, I spent 30-40 minutes with Akki (Nakagawa) talking for the first time about how Nick should be. The next day, during the final rehearsal, Nick was so amazing that I wished he could stay like this forever. I praised him a lot before the performance started, but I think Akki (Nakagawa) is truly amazing this time, so I hope you will watch it.

Q. Mr. Ishikawa, it has been your dream to appear in a production directed by Mr. Fukuda. Please tell us about an impressive episode you had with Mr. Fukuda.

Ishikawa: I'll never forget what Fukuda said on the first day of rehearsals: "Tears are universal, but comedy, or laughter, is unique to each country, so Japan must pursue its own unique style of laughter." I truly agreed with him, and there was a moment when I thought, "This guy is amazing." That's why I've been so inspired by appearing in this production and being directed by Fukuda.

Q. What do you find rewarding about playing this role?

Ishikawa: It's really rewarding. It's rare to get to sing such a big number at this age. I want to cherish each and every performance.

Kato: The song is called Will Power, and I want to do a cool, rock song. I want to captivate everyone in the audience... I'm setting myself a high bar haha.

Q.Please tell us what we should pay attention to.

Daito: There is a scene where I have a dialogue with Yabuki-san, and Yabuki-san's Portia is leading the way, so I'm really looking forward to the actual performance.

Yabuki: I hope that the atmosphere of Nigel and Portia in everyday life comes through.

Kato: I'm worried that the audience will die of excitement when they see this scene between the two of them lol

Q. Finally, a message for the customers who will be coming to see the show.

Nakagawa: This play will be performed right at the end of the year, spanning into the new year. As everyone has said, I hope that you will use laughter to blow away the bad things that happened this year. And the new year is the year of the horse. I hope that you will look for the keyword "horse" in this story, and I will do my best to make it enjoyable for everyone. Thank you very much for your support.

(c) Musical "Something Rotten!" Production Committee/Eri Iwata

The creative passion behind laughter - Student theater reports

It was a festival-like production overflowing with excitement, brimming with laughter and love for musicals. Despite being at the mercy of the opinions and trends of those around them, the actors spoke of their desire to "create a work that will sell," and their determination to forge ahead was palpable. Their presence seemed to gently encourage the audience. While searching for the meaning of the words "Something Rotten," which is also the title, the struggles and humanity behind the laughter can be felt through the medium of expression, even while being enveloped in gorgeous song and dance.
Personally, I have loved Yuichi Fukuda's work since I was in junior high school, so I am truly happy to have come across such a wonderful piece that conveys Fukuda's personality.
Musashino University, 3rd year student, Akina Yoshimatsu

As a musical geek with 13 years of experience, this was a very enjoyable musical for me!
I felt that this production would not have been possible without the director and actors' understanding and love for the musical genre.
There was a good balance between respect for various musicals and funny moments, and as a fan, there were many moments when I found myself nodding along and saying, "I know what you mean!" As a big Takarazuka fan, there were some scenes that made me laugh out loud.
Not only was Kato Kazuki's costume gorgeous, but Kato himself had an overwhelming presence, and as a viewer, I too found myself becoming a fan of Kato Kazuki's performance of Shakespeare.
I think one of the great attractions of this production is that after watching it you'll think, "Musicals are great after all!"
Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University

<Performance Outline>

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on October 18, 2025 by Musashino University third-year student Yoshimatsu Akina and Josai International University second-year student Watanabe Yurie