Franklin Actress Featured in Walpole "Something Rotten!"

Photo credit: Dan Busler Photography.

It's a work familiar to Franklin thanks to a recent production here...

Renaissance playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom are having trouble drawing audiences to their shows because some other guy named William Shakespeare is suddenly the toast of the London theater community. Their friend Nostradamus tells them that the future of the theater is something called “a musical”. 

Despite thinking the idea is preposterous, the desperate brothers agree to try it.

The Walpole Footlighters close their 99th season with Something Rotten!, the musical that tells the story of the creation of the first musical comedy. 

Franklin actress Christine Cochrane is making her Footlighters debut in ensemble of the production. She plays a Londoner, Helena, and an egg, all while singing and dancing. Christine says she, “loves the music and dancing, not to mention the cheeky jokes. The audiences will love them, too.” 

Cochrane has lived in Franklin for 6 years and is a retired primary care physician who now teaches aqua Zumba at the the Franklin YMCA. "I also volunteer for the food pantry taking care of the beds at the community gardens," she said. When Cochrane first moved to Franklin she played Mrs Galahad in the FPAC production of "Spamalot."She has also done a number of shows in RI at The Stadium Theater, including "Mamma Mia" and "Freaky Friday."

"This is my first show with the Footlighters and it is such a fun show," she added!

Performances of Something Rotten! are at the Walpole Footlighters Playhouse at 2 Scout Road in East Walpole. Evening performances will be on May 5, 6, 12, 13, and 20 at 8:00 PM. There will also be matinee performances on May 7 and 21 at 2:00 PM. Patrons are not required to wear masks. Concessions will be available. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 508-668-8446 or purchase online at www.footlighters.com. 

This production is sponsored in part by the Walpole Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. # # # If you would like to send a reviewer to a performance of Something Rotten! during the first two weeks of the run, contact me via the information above to arrange for complimentary tickets. 

Photo credit: Dan Busler Photography