Something Rotten! is a musical comedy that parodies Shakespeare and the history of theater. It tells the story of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who are struggling playwrights in 1595 London. They seek the help of a soothsayer, who predicts that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time. They try to create the world's first musical, but face competition and challenges from Shakespeare and others.