Luke Brahler, center, rehearsing with the cast of "Something Rotten!" at Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin. Brahler is a Slippery Rock University student who has a lead role in the show. Submitted Photo

Slippery Rock University sophomore Luke Brahler is starring in something groundbreaking in “Something Rotten!”

The musical has never before been performed in area community theaters.

The show is directed by Judy Millar and musically directed by Ryan Carter.

Brahler, a communication and integrated marketing major at SRU, hails from Grove City. He said this production at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin is the first time a community organization gets to put on the production.

“We’re one of the first places to do it in the area, since the rights just got released,” he said. “I think it’s one of the funniest musicals written in the last decade.”

The show follows Nick Bottom (played by Brahler) and his brother Nigel. Set in the 1590s, the two playwrights’ main goal is to outshine William Shakespeare.

“They’re living in the shadow of who some would say is the greatest playwright of all time,” Brahler said. “My character, Nick, goes to a soothsayer, who says the next big thing in theater is musicals.”

And so, the two brothers set off to write the world’s first musical production. Theater geeks will certainly be able to recognize some nods to the Broadway scene.

Brahler said he’s enjoyed working on such a hilarious show with members of the community.

“People are there because they want to be there,” he said. “It’s people who want to make it a memorable experience and enjoyable for everyone.”

With various nods to Broadway shows and “the Bard,” the show is unlike any other the region has experienced, Brahler said. “Even if you don’t know about the Renaissance and you don’t know about Shakespeare, there’s a lot of hidden references to musicals. It’s something that isn’t done very often.”