‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ offers an evening of really good fun, laughs

Ticket prices for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS range from $28 - $66 depending on performance date and seat location. Tickets are on sale now at the Fox Theatre box office and all MetroTix locations. To charge by phone, call MetroTix at 314/534-1111 or order online at www.metrotix.com. Groups of 20 or more can call 314/535-2900. For more information, visit www.dirtyrottentour.com. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is presented by the U.S. Bank Broadway Series and sponsored by American Airlines.

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ offers an evening of really good fun, laughs

By Dave Clooney
Special to America’s Seniors at www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

In a time of identity theft, scams, and bogus businessmen, it might seem to be not fitting to laugh at the work of two con artists—but that’s exactly what we did at the opening of ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ at the Fabulous Fox Theater.

But then, almost everyone enjoys the stories of lovable con men who use wit, charm and buffoonery with the rich, pampered and spoiled as their victims. Perhaps it’s a case of personality transfer and we all wish we could be the perpetrator pulling off the scam.

And therein lies the charm of ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’ It’s just an evening of good fun in which two really likeable con men, Lawrence, played by Tom Hewitt, meets up with Freddy, played by D.B. Bonds. The two are bizarre opposites in many ways, but really are very similar in that each is determined to make their fortune by scamming rich women.

After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. So they make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a young heiress, triumphs and the other must leave town. What follows is a series of schemes, masquerades and double-crosses in which nothing may ever be exactly what it seems.

It is Lawrence, however, who has been David Niven-like successful, offering just the right touch of suave and charm, while Freddy is not only younger, but far more bumbling and crude—and less successful.

Place these two unlikely characters together on the French Riviera in which both target the rich and enticing Laura Marie Duncan and the stage literally is set for some good old fashioned comedy.

Much of this is due in part undoubtedly to the fact that the production is based on the highly successful movie of the same name which starred Steve Martin (Bumbling Freddy) and Michael Caine (Sophisticated Lawrence).

Fortunately, the producers of the stage adaptation recognize that when you have a winning recipe, you don’t change it. This is a funny show, not some heavy musical with a heavy story, and while it is a musical, the producers have not attempted to override the fun with heavy songs, choosing instead to let the humor carry the evening.

And it does it wonderfully.

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ offers a chance to leave your troubles at the door, engage in a bit of comic fantasy and have a good laugh.