Hickory – In Something Rotten, the opening show of the Hickory Community Theatre’s 73rd season, two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in a hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway. These two brothers are played by Scott Hudson and Branden Nuhfer in the HCT production.

Hudson, who plays Nick Bottom, is an attorney for Lincoln County DSS. Originally from Beaufort, SC, he relocated to North Carolina to attend law school and moved to the Hickory area two years ago.

When asked about his role, Hudson replied, “Something Rotten is my second favorite show of all time and Nick Bottom is a bucket list role for me. My favorite thing about Hickory Community Theatre is the diversity of shows they choose for their season.”

Nuhfer, who plays Nigel, is taking his second outing on the HCT stage. His first role was in Hair in 2019 and he received a Kay Award for Outstanding Character Actor for his performance as Margaret Mead. He has also been in several productions at The Green Room. His hometown is Denver, where he’s lived for 21 years. Nuhfer is currently a student at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Performances of Something Rotten are: Fridays and Saturdays, August 27, 28, September 3, 4, 10 & 11 at 7:30pm; Sunday, September 5 at 2:30pm; and Thursday, September 9 at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the opening night performance on August 27 are $12 for adults and $10 for youth 18 & under. Tickets for all other performances are $16 for adults and $10 for youth. For tickets visit hickorytheatre.org or call the box office at 828-328-2283.

PHOTO: Branden Nuhfer (left) is Nigel Bottom and Scott Hudson is Nick Bottom in Hickory Community Theatre’s upcoming production of the Broadway musical Something Rotten. For show times and tickets call 828-328-2283 or visit hickorytheatre.org. (Photo by Eric Seale)