Musical References in "A Musical" from SOMETHING ROTTEN!

How many Broadway references do you know? Take the "A Musical" challenge!
SOMETHING ROTTEN! is "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years!" For tickets and information visit www.RottenBroadway.com.

[@elenarodriguez2402]

0:06 : exists Me, an intellectual: - show stoppin number

[@anneewazhere7578]

YES, THANK YOU, I THOUGHT I WAS BEING STUPID

[@northmelody1783]

The Starkid cult needs to gather!!

[@elenarodriguez2402]

@@northmelody1783 hell yeah!

[@pointlessproductions2582]

Northmelody YES SIR, GENREAL MAMANERIA REPORTING FOR DUTY

[@rachelrodriguez573]

It’s good to see that the boys are working

[@signalred540]

There were two references not mentioned. The most obvious was "I believe it's pronounced 'miserable'" and that's Les Mis. The other was when he says "some are quite big," and they make a reference to Avenue Q by using puppets.

[@mordecai7755]

sophieloafy89 I screamed when I saw those

[@angie-noh8]

And Jesus Christ Superstar

[@allisonbeland572]

I came looking for this comment. The Les Mis one is one of my favorite moments

[@breelovejoy6612]

buckybarnes.mp4 also rent and annie

[@AltBadin]

@@breelovejoy6612 Rent and Annie were mentioned

[@Draztikus]

One might say a kickline is inevitable

[@thephandmphamilywithalvefo3307]

Draztikus yessss! Starkid!

[@radxianixe]

i've spotted so many starkid fans here it makes me happy

[@grace5033]

what's up Dikrats?

[@haileykramer8017]

I was not expecting to find starkid people here

[@Draztikus]

@@haileykramer8017 you did not consider the implications

[@sloaneellipsis6452]

You forgot "I believe it's pronounced 'misérables'!"!!

[@jalynroberson3459]

Khryshyrls Arnold I know that's my favorite reference and probably the most obvious one so I don't get how they missed it😂

[@greengears8560]

Where is it

[@NoNo-ee6zr]

@@jalynroberson3459 they probably didn't miss it. This video showed the less obvious ones and since that one is so obvious i think they did that on purpose

[@grantjessop3773]

But they put Annie in so ye

[@chelseaoware281]

“why are you so obsessed with musicals?” me:

[@jessdecaire6034]

“5, 6, 7, ,8!” followed by a dance break is a reference to A Chorus Line

[@miguelcolumna4892]

Jessica D also to chicago

[@annabaumann2008]

that's literally any musical rehearsal

[@Ehawee98]

i thought billy elliot

[@Zen-ft5fj]

Honestly at this point it could be a reference to Mean Girls the Musical- ahead of it's time.

[@SnappyPenguin566]

"Now these Nazis, are they good guys or bad guys?" "I'm not sure, but I think it's important that we get it right." *about one hour later* "Your highness, the Nazis have arrived." "HUZZAH!"

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

this musical is so fucking underrated

[@spongeycraftstudios4371]

Puppet Player agreed I watched it last night and loved it

[@gammaray3044]

@@spongeycraftstudios4371 What musical is it?

[@Jay-gw9op]

@@gammaray3044 it's called "something rotten"

[@yodelgoats790]

"say it with me-- nazis are not to bad. nazis are not so bad! ohh! this is a nazi party! nazis are not so bad-- nazis are not so bad!" "what the fuck is wrong with you people?"

[@sikfox]

Man I wish there was just a whole video of this kind of footage for the entire musical so I could watch it in this great quality

[@stepawayful]

This was filmed so well, I have a hard time believing the whole thing wasn't filmed PRO.

[@theEWDSDS]

​@@stepawayfulas far as I know the only full recording of the Broadway version on YT is a home video, which credit where it's due is great quality but is far from perfect

[@delcodave]

so.... everytime they say the word "musical" you do a shot?

[@sloaneellipsis6452]

delcodave that's called alcohol poisoning

[@goodjobeli]

why do you want to kill us?

[@rachel5302]

I would say yes but A I’m under 21 and B that would probably kill you

[@jesm5698]

Or make a reference

[@WateverWatever04]

Of water? Hell yeah stay hydrated homies

[@TheItsmemaya]

A Chorus Line gets referenced like 3 times how iconic

[@abrannan]

and The Music Man, which also gets referenced repeatedly, doesn't get repeat mentions.

[@maddieb200]

And wicked, there were a bunch of parts that sounded like "wonderful try called me wonderful"

[@theboxofdoom]

Ikr, to me i kept hearing it and i was like why haven't they marked that that one down yet? Lol

[@rubyclaws]

They were actually singinmg in the Wonderful melody! I cant get the link to app i use because my phones a little bitch, but if you check the app

[@rubyclaws]

called Genius and look this song up they explain all the references.

[@SnappyPenguin566]

"A Musical", but every time someone says "musical", the entire "Godfather" series plays.

[@DylanCoteActor]

SnappyPenguin566 12 days long.

[@user-ih4ey9xh6o]

Him: It’s a Me: gets exited Me: Show st- oh

[@elenarodriguez2402]

-oppin' number?

[@grace5033]

@@elenarodriguez2402 a real show stopper

[@sprankymedia9959]

Grace Wilbourn A show stopping number, come on

[@grace5033]

@@sprankymedia9959 something to shock 'em, to bring them a-crawlin'

[@sprankymedia9959]

Grace Wilbourn A big time box office draw

[@lfamily7551]

0:54 is a reference to Gypsy too, Rose's Turn ("I had a dream" melody heard in horns) - love this song so much!

[@angie-noh8]

L Family hey I noticed that too ❤️❤️

[@isabella_cani1762]

I knew I heard it

[@floraleaf6741]

I knew that melody was familiar lol

[@jesm5698]

I noticed

[@davidsigalow7349]

There are lots of gems buried in the song cues in the long version, including phrases from "La Cage" and "J.C. Superstar." Just wonderful.

[@semisadist8072]

Skipped Jesus Christ Superstar. How dare you.

[@starcxtcher]

They also skipped ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, AKA a pure Broadway _tradition._

[@camilaencarnacion9573]

And Les Miserables

[@hadiyaharnold7582]

Ashleigh Vickery you betta say that😂👌💯

[@MrHades-vm2hm]

@@starcxtcher i think they make a fiddler on the roof refference in "Make an omelette" with a fiddler dancing on the stage

[@wriggleby]

Wait hol up I missed that one I only found this the other day where is the superstar reference?

[@kennapalmer1486]

I could have sworn there was a Wicked reference somewhere in there. And how could you miss the Les Miserables reference? That one felt so obvious.

[@DinoandGalaxy]

There are a couple parts that sounded kinda like wonderful

[@partyrick2786]

most obviously les mis its even named :D

[@fkornre]

This piece is one of the best single songs in Broadway history. There are many wonderful musicals but this was so worth it live!

[@amym.8222]

3:10 i guess you could say ‘A kick line is inevitable’

[@harrietcanteven]

HELL YES

[@maddisynwholikesmusicals5444]

I know that this is overshadowed but the costumes are AMAZING

[@jennielion4229]

Wonderful!! (At 1:13 is a reference to West Side Story (Tonight), and if the video weren't cut, it's immediately followed with a reference to Oklahoma, with the run up two octaves launching into the title song.)

[@CamCamCamCamCamCamCamCamCammmm]

I feel there is a reference to Wicked in there too though.

[@gi8093]

ShWhoCa i think the main melody sound a bit like Wonderful from Wicked idk if its intentional tho

[@lonesomechild5213]

Jenni Elion Yep

[@nedmatich2922]

Where the music man reference is I also think it’s a Elf reference because of the background instrumental

[@Udontkno7]

Idk if I'm imagining it but I hear a little Newsies

[@MJTRadio]

This whole show is a damn modern masterpiece of stage comedy, and I really hope many others can see and appreciate it for years to come.

[@No-el4gt]

3:18 Me: A KICKLINE IS *_INEVITABLLLLLLLEEEEEE_*

[@grace5033]

them: it's...a... my brain: do it me: why? my brain: you gotta me: *_ShOW sToPpiNg nUMbEr_*

[@amym.8222]

what if i told you a story. how the world became peaceful and just? It was inevitable

[@oliviakhouw8412]

Why do I get "to dance again" vibes from starkid

[@lc2341]

oh my god I knew it sounded familiar-

[@whatevs00]

OH MY GOD

[@whatevs00]

guess i’m rewatching AVPM today

[@heath6802]

“With song and dance, and sweet romance” is where I can see where you’re coming from

[@1hanschenrilowfan625]

thought the tap dance sequence was from Book of Mormon, Turn It Off! I might be wrong :/

[@claire4everyang]

Its definitely not turn it off or mormon, more like Millie to me

[@kimm7611]

Someone said it's from 42nd street, they could be wrong though

[@threesugarssevensugars2113]

It’s definitely not all BoM but there are little sections that are in Turn It Off. This coming from a big BoM fan who learnt the choreography.

[@yodelgoats790]

the tap looks a lot like "king of new york"s tap break in newsies

[@deaanchora]

the lightings tho are giving me turn it off vibes

[@sayuri3575]

2:17 is a reference to Wonderful from Wicked

[@jillianmcgovern9346]

"What is a fiddler and why is he on a roof?" "Nonono, the roof is where the chimchimineys go!"

[@mistamemewide]

Meta: The Musical.

[@CakeNO]

At 2:10 Brian says "Yes, I get it now!" in the same fashion Pinocchio says "Yes, it all makes sense now!" in Freak Flag in Shrek. Which is particularly funny because Brian played Shrek.

[@lookitsglinda]

Hahaha!

[@starcxtcher]

I was beyond shook that y’all referenced ‘The Music Man’. It’s one of the lesser appreciated musicals nowadays.

[@heisenfu]

i had this exact thought!

[@vigglewiggle5396]

There’s like 5 music man references in this show.

[@feijra]

musical references i caught West Side Story Avenue Q Music Man Seussical Chicago Rent Les Mis Annie Guys and Dolls Chorus Line Wicked Great Comet Hello Dolly

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

Same except Seussical and Music man and Guys and dolls

[@isabellalen652]

What’s the great comet one?

[@thatoneemokid9030]

great comet wasn’t even a thing on broadway when this came out when the hell-

[@lennonrichison2827]

What great comet reference?

[@rebollocastellanosfrancisc1299]

Even Gypsy 0:55

[@emilyann2098]

Did no one get the beauty and the beast at the very beginning? "It's...our....musical!!" "Be....our...guest!!!" ??

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

Really?

[@dexlegon2942]

i could only think of show stoppin number from tgwdlm

[@alyssaharlan7182]

Dexter Legon same

[@jadesketch1726]

@@dexlegon2942 same here (also when they did the kickline my head went "kickline is inevitaaaableeee")

[@paulsorchy1330]

I think of "Wonderful" from Wicked

[@jamesosullivan6055]

It's weird to me that they didn't mention the two biggest score allusions in the video. When he counts off "5 6 7 8" there's a clear reference to the "I had a dream" line from Gypsy and towards the end of the tap section there's an allusion to "Tonight" from West Side Story

[@alisonlawrence6607]

5, 6, 7, 8 is more like Chorus Line but then it is clear in the accompaniment that it goes into Gypsy.

[@pn818]

2:18 Wicked... Wonderful

[@jzs217]

it's the same (or very similar) melody from "Wonderful"

[@peachstitchknits]

I know 1:39 is Evita but it also reminds me of the start of a day in falsettoland

[@goldthegreat788]

Beth G OMG I JUST REALIZED BOTH OF THEM ARE SIMILAR

[@DinoandGalaxy]

IIIIII DONT GET IT 😃 IIIII DONT UNDERSTAND (I never watched Evita)

[@casstheshifter2176]

You Got Trouble from The Music Man, I Have A Dream from Gypsy, Tonight from West Side Story, Seussical itself, South Pacific, Chicago, Evita, Rent, Putting It Together, It's A Hard Knock Life from Annie, Luck Be A Lady from Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line (again), Cats, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line

[@alexabarrett124]

Cassidy Rose also rock island from The Music Man

[@a_grape_in_space1016]

And Phantom of the Opera

[@tyleriguana2450]

Fascinating Rhythm from Nice Work, If You Can Get It

[@starcxtcher]

“Rock Island” from ‘Music Man’. (The line “Look, whatdya talk? Whatdya talk? Whatdya talk?” is from the opening number, “Rock Island”.)

[@ahollgerb]

Sunday in the Park with George is the show “Putting it Together” is from

[@Casutama]

I think the brass melody at 0:55 is a reference to Gypsy's "Rose's Turn"

[@catherinepark3154]

2:30 gave me serious ‘dance again’ vibes from AVPM

[@waffelton]

Yesss

[@Mooseboy08]

We saw this last night and had no idea what we were in for. I was crying from laughing so hard during this piece that I know I missed a lot of the references. An absolute must see show!

[@mossy.frogs.]

I love how confused Nick looks in this, but they did forget a few musicals. Also! I really like how this song was made, it’s really great how they added multiple musicals into one song.

[@cacawsthelaw]

Theres also a Pippin reference in the reprise, just as nostradamus exits. You can hear the bassline from magic to do in the background.

[@spiritshadow8084]

Where's the reference to Working Boys?

[@roroschach]

I think they made a Book of Mormon reference with the choreography, but is that just me?

[@maemae1531]

Dotavi and the back up boys are kinda gay part

[@ashleydilorenzo4084]

It’s the same choreographer, he has a very distinct style

[@indigosealf7873]

Plus! “Musical, we’ll do a musical” that melody is very similar to wicked! : “Wonderful, they call me wonderful”

[@eljordinio7647]

The kick line part was defs the best bit in the song imo. That's one of the most classic and recognizable dance moves in showbiz

[@higsopus576]

As someone rhat pick up on the musical styles in broadway shows this gives me a seizure, there are so many different things to pick up on and it's like I'm being dragged through each style

[@RealCindyAparicio]

Don't forget Anything Goes.

[@eljordinio7647]

Was that during the tap section

[@lolkayleen2757]

That's South Pacific

[@carolinevictoria252]

lolkayleen it probably could be either

[@lucymoore7676]

There's also a lot of nods in the actual music during the tap break, including Gypsy and West Side Story!

[@coll912]

2:11 The Producers

[@michaelv4871]

coll912 Nope. I wish they did though. I love the Producers.

[@AlyssaML2023]

coll912 I totally thought Producers when that came up haha

[@RGWProductions]

If you've seen the show, during "Omelette: The Musical", they reference Nazis. And I kind of see that as a Producers reference.

[@drkillee3236]

The whole idea of a musical about making a musical is a reference to The Producers (and why not Singing in the Rain too?)

[@maiaweinstein5784]

RGW Productions I know that I’m replying to this late but I’m pretty sure it’s a sound of music reference

[@lucytag8612]

This song is basically a Tony awards opening

[@thephandmphamilywithalvefo3307]

lucy tag omg tru!

[@sallyalbright7021]

I discovered tgwdlm before I found out about something rotten so everytime this song starts my brain automatically goes to "show stopping number"

[@girlonabookshelf4922]

My favourite is the feathers, cause that's a clear reference to The Producers.

[@MariaThePotterNut]

Nah, Chicago had it notably long before Producers did. But they are a very frequent thing used in older musicals, which is why producers and Chicago both use them.

[@katieamrine4102]

1:14 Melody from "Tonight" from West Side Story

[@hesitantuser2867]

“Happy endings” hahahAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA I WISH

[@ltm3368]

#POTO

[@johnhorzen973]

at 0:55 that was Gypsy's "I have a dream" motif

[@tiactus]

something tells me the writers like a chorus line

[@user-ob2pe3ri1j]

standing ovation in the middle of act one- never ...until the audience saw this- was amazing.

[@rambutoons9075]

Don't be shy. Release the full proshot 👉👈

[@sydneyjackman2578]

Missed another one...” you’re starlet won’t quit” phantom reference

[@ltm3368]

Right, hadn't even picked up on that!! Wow

[@lexschultz822]

At Georgia Thespian Conference, this number was performed in the Opening Number and it was so great.

[@AngeLexa11]

At 1:00 the music also is to the tune of "i had a dream" from Everything's Coming Up Roses in Gypsy

[@emmabook5316]

I could be wrong but in the song where he sings “and sometimes they’ll stay on the same note for a really long time so that when you change to a different note, you notice” was a The Pirates of Penzance reference

[@axelkyster2642]

Well...no. If you're thinking of Modern Major General....he oscillates between notes constantly. So...no. That whole section is setting up the Les Miz joke...brilliantly!!

[@llamaparty8441]

LOVED THE SWEENY TOD ONE

[@EsquirePrime]

The tunes of this show have lived rent free in my head for years!

[@heg203]

I LOVED THIS SHOW SO MUCH!!!

[@Apanella]

They cut off West Side story and at the very end of this song for whatevveerrr reason they don't play until the last reference which is Pippin.

[@thataintfalco7106]

It’s obvious how much fun they have in their roles

[@krpbdp]

Loved, loved this show!

[@peanutsthesquirrel5225]

What about “I believe it’s pronounced misérables” Also technically it was written after Something Rotten but the “its...a....” at the beginning is impossible to listen to without thinking “...show stopping number”

[@alexonmymind4925]

WHEN WILL THIS BE COMING TO WEST END!!!! odd to see a show about London that's ironically not in London

[@opheliaismyname9180]

I wish it would, but there's the whole thing that it's kinda mean about Shakespeare, and that's not always appreciated here

[@k.hizzle5376]

The tap choreography is a reference to Newsies because it’s the same choreography as King of New York

[@megelizabeth9492]

Also “cross my heart, hope to die, if it isn’t a doozy”?

[@tjsgreenteamints]

@@megelizabeth9492 And not in this song, but in the song "Something Rotten" they have two dancers clearly doing choreo/have costumes from newsies :)

[@jencoleman0504]

This is so underappreciated

[@lillianward2810]

A big one you guys missed is at the top of the tap break- 0:55 the Everything’s Coming Up Roses from Gypsy in the orchestrations.

[@Morning60]

i get to play Nostradamus for my school's production of something rotten, and i honestly don't think i have ever had more fun with a role

[@theyluvtwoset.13]

Also what about: 0:47 Bend And Snap, Legally blonde?!

[@tlunder6882]

I thought the lyric was “Ooz, Oz~ Big applause” Then I looked it up and apparently it was “Oohs, Aaa’s~ Big applause.”

[@brynnjohnson2316]

My musical theatre class is performing this number and honestly doing all the references is the best part of the entire thing

[@cranberryjuice960]

This is why we all love this song, it has references to all our favs

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Still epic in 2021 ♥️

[@VictorKolbe]

This is a very nice recording of it - is there more? I would love to be able to watch the whole thing at this level of quality

[@edlovecoaching]

Pure genius! Can't wait to see it live down under.

[@amyefothergill3942]

Girl that was awesome- some voice, congrats!!! Xx

[@ethanwalsh2445]

is it only me who hears “wonderful” from wicked in the first verse?

[@muriloamorim2731]

2:13 "Wonderful" from Wicked

[@rcpurple]

I wish it would return!

[@Ryne749]

I got to be nick this year in my hs production of it,now its one of my favorite shows

[@bryennabird4658]

What about Les Mis? Lol

[@rileyliebertz2041]

Brye World there’s a verse in the song that they didn’t show where they say sometimes there’s no talking in musicals. And the skeptical guy says “sounds miserable” and the other guy replies “I believe it’s pronounced Miserables.” It makes me laugh every time

[@bryennabird4658]

Riley Liebertz I know, I was wondering why they didn’t show it. That’s the best one

[@janiceweaver6945]

They left off Technicolor Dreamcoat and Pippin.

[@evang.6771]

Janice Weaver I thought Joseph was only referenced in the omelette song?

[@madelynkorff]

Where is Technicolor Dreamcoat?

[@Phiwipuss]

Extremely happy to see so many Starkid fans in the comments.

[@morganirbs2523]

In the Chicago one, the background music was A Chorus Line "One", and the whole thing was practically Producers

[@Jgaldragon]

Just saw it on stage and lost track on how man references were made. it was incredible and hilarious!

[@evanvandyk1368]

This show was amazing when I saw it

[@anyaklum8757]

there are tons of references in the music and choreography that weren't mentioned, like Oklahoma right before rent

[@captainarrg]

There are a couple of shots in there from "Nine" and the song "My husband, makes movies..."

[@pacifistcowboy]

gosh i really wanna see this show

[@randirose3274]

A Civic theater in my hometown area Richmond Indiana is doing this show in May

[@rcpurple]

Thanks

[@anatomicalpuppet]

What about the Les Mis reference and the Avenue Q puppets..?

[@Jorr235]

The best show

[@Laura-co2yh]

And when the guy says “yes I get it” the instrumental is similar to the beginning of legally blonde the remix. 2:16