by Charlsie-Kern Kruger
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” was a very funny movie, and it makes for a very funny musical, thanks to very funny lyrics by David Yazbek. He offers lines like: “His teeth were straight and white just like a picket fence/I couldn’t look at them for they were that intense.” Or, “If music is the food of love, his was a smorgasbord.” Or (my favorite) when the sleazy young con man describes an occasion when he was “blotto in the grotto with the playmate and her sister.” I may not have the exact words, but that’s the gist of it. Maybe not all THAT clever but good for a laugh, and a big one, when delivered by a cast with fine singing chops and excellent comedic timing.
When Larry Williams suavely opens the proceedings as seasoned conman Lawrence Jameson, we know in a moment that we are in highly capable hands and the laughter commences.
The set up is simple: Lawrence has a sweet system going on the French Riviera, seducing wealthy women by passing himself off as Prince of an obscure country at war, and parting them from their jewels. He’s good at it. He has fun. He has the ideal accomplice: the chief of police, Andre Thibault, played with comic vigor by Tim Setzer.
But there’s a fly in the suntan oil, one Freddy Benson, performed by Drew Bolander, a younger con man on the make, reputed to be the notorious “Jackal” and serious competition. Freddy turns out to be more jackass than Jackal, but he’s on to the con, and he’s going to muck up the works if Lawrence doesn’t take him on and teach him the ropes. Lawrence agrees, describing him – in a hilarious reference to Henry Higgins as “so deliciously low, so horribly dirty.” Bolander is a lovable sleaze and an excellent dancer who can get laughs with a lifted finger and has mastered the art of the double take. His performance is great fun.
And then their are the victims. Beloved Sonoma C0unty musical comedy stalwart Julianne Bradbury as Muriel Eubanks sings angelically and mugs with enthusiasm. Emma Sutherland’s send up of country girl Jolene Oaks flashes big bucks, big, um, you know, and big attitude. She’s hilarious.
Joanna Lynn Bert is also fun as Christine Colgate, a girl with a heart of gold who is full of surprises.
Bottom Line: This show is a lot of smutty fun with great jokes, fine performances, outstanding costumes by Barbara McFadden, excellent pacing thanks to director Carl Jordan, and graceful choreography by Tara Roberts.
I should take a moment to compliment the ensemble who were uniformly excellent. Kevin Allen, however, an outstanding dancer and versatile performer, deserves a special call out. The program informs me that he has a day job directing the drama program at San Rafael High School (his alma mater). His students are very lucky indeed.
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Rating: *** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” Book by Jeffrey Lane. Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek. Based on the film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. Directed by Carl Jordan. Musical Director: Aja Gianola. Choreographer: Tara Roberts. Lighting Designer: April George. Costume Design: Barbara McFadden. Property Designer: Alison Sutherland.
Cast:
Kevin Allen: Ensemble. Joanna Lynn Bert: Christine Colgate. Drew Bolander: Freddy Benson. Julianne Bradbury: Muriel Eubanks. Andrew Herold: Ensemble. Eden James: Ensemble. Seana Nicol: Ensemble/Dance Captain. Hannah Passanisi: Ensemble. Maick Poroj: Ensemble. Tim Setzer: Andre Thibault. Nora Summers: Ensemble. Emma Sutherland: Jolene Oaks/Ensemble. Larry Williams; Lawrence Jameson.
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