From the very first, the cast of “Something Rotten” invites the audience to step way back to Shakespeare’s time with the opening number “Welcome to the Renaissance,” when it comes alive with song and dance and plenty of laughs not typically seen on the Elizabethan stage.

Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, portrayed by Benjamin Smith and Graham Webb, are at the center of the action.

The two strive to find success in the theatrical world in the shadow of the wildly popular William Shakespeare.

Jackson DeJesus stars as Shakespeare. “I’m the most cocky you can be, thinking I’m so much better than [Nick] is,” he said, “so there’s definitely a rivalry between the two.”

“In this fictional world, Shakespeare used to be part of Nick’s entourage,” Smith added. “but Nick is a struggling writer while everyone knows Shakespeare.”

“Nick just needs to write a big hit so that he [along] with his wife and his brother, could survive, and escape poverty.”

The dire circumstances cause Nick to grasp at straws, turning to Nostradamus for advice.

“When Nick asks me to predict how he can become famous, I foresee that in the future musicals will be the next popular thing,” explains Alexandra Tentarelli, who stars as Nostradamus.

“Nick is overshadowed by Shakespeare so ‘Something Rotten’ is kind of an underdog story,” she said. “This is also a play about the making of a play set in 1595.”

The two brothers argue about what and how they should write in the first place.

As Nigel’s love interest, “Portia convinces Nigel to write what he wants to write rather than what Nick wants him to write,” said Anna Gornicz, who plays Portia.

“Portia is the daughter of a puritan who falls in love with Nigel, Nick’s brother after she meets him purely by chance,” she explained.

The play by no means follows a linear story line.

“I picked ‘Something Rotten’ because it is a high energy show with many challenges that I knew would be great for our students,” said director, Zane Bachert.

Reid Clymer is the music director, Lauren Cirami is the assistant director and Jaedon Muhl, is the play’s choreographer.

RC Storch built the sets with the help of other parents, and some students as well.

“‘Something Rotten’ is very ambitious, but it’s also just ridiculous fun,” Muhl said, “and there’s a lot of tap [dancing].”

Muhl is a Northwestern graduate.

“It’s an honor to be back home,” he said. “I feel really lucky to be working with awesome people.”

Muhl teaches at Arts Academy Charter Middle School.

He also served as director of choreography at Dieruff High School in the past where he said, “We were nominated for 17 Freddies and I was nominated for two Freddies for both “Hello Dolly” and “Cabaret,” but it feels really good to be back.”

“The kids here are eager to learn,” he continued. “They want to do well. They want to put on a great show for the audience.”

Bachert shares this sentiment.

“This show is so much fun,” he said. “[We’re looking forward] to an amazing production to entertain our supporters.”

Tickets for “Something Rotten” may be purchased online at https://events.hometownticketing.com/.

There will be four performances in all: 7 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28 and 2 p.m. March 1.