Garland Civic Theatre will present the North Texas premiere of Something Rotten beginning this weekend, Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m.
The story, a hilarious musical, is set in 1595 and follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel. The brothers struggle to find theatrical success as they compete with the wild popularity of their contemporary William Shakespeare.
The role of Nick Bottom will be played by former Garland ISD teacher Aaron Gallagher.
He taught at Austin Academy for Excellence from 2014 to 2019 then moved to Wylie ISD where he is the theater arts director at McMillan Junior High School. He’s a Garland native and attended Good Shepherd Catholic Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade. Gallagher has had a lifelong interest in the theater.
“It began with short plays that my cousins and I would write and perform for our family. Then I started performing plays in junior high and high school. I knew then that I wanted to pursue theater in college and went on to get my bachelor’s degree in theater and vocal performance from Austin College,” he said. “I got my master’s in theater performance from Oklahoma State University.”
The actor knew early on that he loved performing for an audience and that grew into the passion he has for the theater. He saw his first live plays at the Garland Performing Arts Center (now the Granville Arts Center). In addition, this is Gallagher’s second time to be in a GCT production.
“Those two stages are like a second home. It is still thrilling to me that I now get to perform on the very stages where my love of theater began,” Gallagher said.
He has taught theater throughout his 10-year career in education and said that he knew in high school that he wanted to pursue education.
“Sharing my passion for the art of theater was a driving force in my decision,” he said. “I have been extremely fortunate to teach over 1,000 students in my career. My greatest joy is seeing them discover themselves through theater and to watch their self-confidence grow…Some of my best and brightest [students] are currently working in the field or are pursuing education degrees to teach theater. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Gallagher praised the cast and production team of Something Rotten. He said that it is an honor and pleasure to work with them.
“This production has been an absolute joy to work on and we cannot wait to share this story with audiences,” he said.
The production is directed by Patty Granville and choreographed by Kelly McCain. Mark Mullino is the music director.
Something Rotten will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 27..Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Location is the small theater at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street in downtown Garland. For more information and tickets, visit garlandcivic.org or call the box office at 972-205-2790.
About: Garland Civic Theatre is proud to be the oldest community theater in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For 54 years, Garland Civic Theatre has provided high-quality theatrical programs to educate, to entertain and to enrich the lives of its community.