Brandywiners Bring Shakespearean Shenanigans to Longwood Gardens with ‘Something Rotten!’
CHADDS FORD, PA — The Brandywiners Ltd. are trading tragedy for tap shoes and sonnets for slapstick in their 2025 summer production of Something Rotten!, the Broadway hit musical set to run July 23–26 at Longwood Gardens’ iconic Open Air Theatre.
A satirical love letter to musical theater, Something Rotten! catapults audiences back to 1595, where struggling playwright brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom embark on an ambitious quest to outshine William Shakespeare. With a little help from a misguided soothsayer named Thomas Nostradamus, the duo sets out to write the world’s first musical — resulting in a hilariously absurd production titled Omelette: The Musical.
The show, a 10-time Tony nominee, was created by Grammy winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. It is praised for its clever wit, catchy numbers, and over-the-top Broadway homages. Audiences can expect Elizabethan antics, egg-themed tap-dancing numbers, and plenty of fourth-wall-breaking fun.
Tickets are $38 for general admission and $33 for Longwood Gardens members and students. Each ticket includes full-day access to the gardens, turning the evening into an immersive arts-and-nature experience. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m., with rain dates set for July 27 and 28.
This year’s production is helmed by director S. Lee Lewis, with musical direction by Betsy Conner, choreography by Tracy Friswell-Jacobs, and scenic design by Jeff Reim.
Now in its 93rd season, The Brandywiners Ltd. have become a staple of summer arts in the Brandywine Valley. Founded during the Great Depression by Frances Tatnall and William Winder “Chick” Laird, the troupe staged their first production — The Pirates of Penzance — in 1932 with the encouragement and support of Laird’s uncle, Longwood Gardens founder Pierre S. du Pont.
Since then, The Brandywiners have presented a Broadway-style musical each July, known for large singing-and-dancing casts, full orchestras, and elaborate multi-level sets. Their shows have included classics like Crazy for You, Oklahoma!, and Mame. Beyond the stage, the organization is deeply rooted in community service, donating proceeds to local arts and civic organizations across the Delaware Valley.
The group also maintains a robust year-round presence through the Brandywiners Chorale, a 70-member vocal ensemble performing at churches, retirement communities, and cultural venues such as Winterthur and the Grand Opera House.
Their continued success is made possible by a dedicated board of directors and a volunteer force managing everything from costumes and set design to hospitality and community outreach.
With Something Rotten!, the Brandywiners once again deliver their signature blend of theatrical excellence and community spirit — all against the lush, blooming backdrop of Longwood Gardens.
If You Go:
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Dates: July 23–26, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
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Rain Dates: July 27 & 28 at 8:00 p.m.
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Venue: Open Air Theatre, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
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Tickets: $38 general admission; $33 for Longwood Gardens members and students
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Includes: All-day access to Longwood Gardens
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Tickets Available At: www.brandywiners.org
For a night of Elizabethan mischief, musical hilarity, and community tradition, Something Rotten! promises to be anything but.
