Battle with the Bard: Devon Frieder presents 'Something Rotten' at Albuquerque Little Theatre

Devon Frieder is always up for a challenge.

As a choreographer and dancer, Frieder enjoys what joy live theater not only brings to the performers, but to an audience.

Based in New York City, Frieder makes the trek back to Albuquerque to put on a production.

This year it’s the Tony-nominated musical, “Something Rotten.”

“It’s a really fun show,” Frieder says. “It’s a big Broadway musical and really fun for the whole family.”

“Something Rotten” kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and runs Friday-Sunday through Feb. 11, at Albuquerque Little Theatre.

“Something Rotten” is a musical comedy with a book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick.

It is set in 1595, where the Black Plague has ceded power to the Puritans, farthingales and codpieces are the latest fashion trend, and the biggest celebrity in England is a playwright named William Shakespeare.

In the midst of all this excitement, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are trying to keep their acting company afloat.

In a desperate attempt to out-Bard the Bard, Nick consults with a soothsayer, who informs him that the future of theater involves acting, singing and dancing – sometimes all at once.

As the Bottom brothers strive to write the world’s very first musical, they find themselves caught in a bitter battle with the Bard and the play’s the thing.

“The musical is a favorite of mine,” Frieder says. “I got to see it on Broadway four times. The music is awesome and there are so many roles.”

The Albuquerque production consists of 26 in the cast.

Rehearsals have been taking place since mid-December, with the schedule ramped up since the beginning of January.

“We usually have a pretty short, but intensive rehearsal process,” she says. “I always come back from New York to put on a production that is professional and has an intensive rehearsal process. It’s been exciting to have a lot of characters in the musical.”

Frieder says it’s always amazing to see the talent in Albuquerque.

“I have some new people with me this year,” she says. “We also have performers returning for another one of my productions. The level of talent is top-notch.”

Frieder says while “Something Rotten” is a comedy at its core, there is more to the musical.

“The heart of the show is that you go on this journey with the brothers,” she says. “They want to keep their integrity while making a difference. The two brothers will do anything for each other and they are learning to put their best foot forward.”