02 God, I Hate Shakespeare (Brian d'Arcy James, John Cariani & Rotten Male Ensemble)
NICK: God, I hate Shakespeare! That’s right, I said it!
NIGEL: No!
NICK: I do! I hate Shakespeare!
NIGEL: Why?
NICK: I just don’t get it How a mediocre actor from a measly little town Is suddenly the brightest jewel in England’s royal crown Oh God I hate Shakespeare His plays are wordy but OH NO! The “great” Shakespeare! That little turd He has no sense about the audience he makes them feel so dumb The bastard doesn’t care that my poor ass is getting numb
ENSEMBLE: How can you say that? How can you say that?
NICK: It’s easy, I can say it cause it’s absolutely true!
ENSEMBLE: Don’t be a penis, the man is a genius!
NICK: His genius is he’s fooling all of you!
NIGEL: But he’s brilliant What majesty flows from his pen His poetry soars like a sweet violin God’s own inspiration like lightning doth strike him And he captures my soul!
NICK (speaking): Jeez, you sound just like him!
NIGEL (speaking): Really? Thanks…
NICK: You should hate Shakespeare!
NIGEL: Well no I don’t, I try to emulate Shakespeare!
NICK: Well there’s your problem! You’re so blinded by “The Bard” who’s such a pompous little man
NIGEL: Why is it a problem to admit that I’m a fan?
NICK: Cause he’s a hack With a knack For stealing anything he can
ENSEMBLE: How can you say that? How can you say that? The man really knows how to write a bitchin’ play! You wish you could pen one We wish we were in one
NICK: I just wish that he would go away!
NIGEL (speaking): Well that’s not gonna happen, because everybody I know says that he’s the greatest writer that England’s ever known!
NICK: And that’s ANOTHER thing I hate about Shakespeare! Is all the twits who bloviate about Shakespeare! And how they prattle on about his great accomplishments, well la-di-da-di-dah! And once they start their gushing there’s no stopping them And then it’s “blah blah blah blah blah Shakespeare!” And he walks in, it’s “dum da dum ta da Shakespeare!” He’s holding court and they say “Will you’re such a genius and your writing is divine, A rose by any other name is such a clever line!” And they’re all “ooh!” and he’s all “stop” and they’re all “yay” and I’m all “ugh” And I’m REALLY getting sick of it! And oh, oh, oh, oh, I HATE SHAKESPEARE!
ENSEMBLE: I think by now we sort of know you hate Shakespeare!
NICK: Shmakespeare! The way he feigns humility when all he does is gloat The way he wears that silly frilly collar ‘round his throat The poster child for why no one should ever procreate Let me make a shorter list so I can give it to you straight: Every little thing about Shakespeare Is what I hate!
ENSEMBLE (overlapping): He hates! He hates! He clearly surely really truly hates Shakespeare!