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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Book by: Jeffrey Lane
Directed by: Vonda K Bowling
Music Directed by: Cody Dry
Choreography by: Kelly McCain
Produced by: Theater Three
Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: N/A
Reviewed by Kyle Lester
When I was young and naive, I got a hard lesson in the art of the con. I won’t go into details but suffice it to say that personal credit card information is far more accessible than I gave it…well, credit for. Thankfully, I didn’t make for a particularly lucrative mark, so I can laugh about the minor financial loss now. As I’ve graduated from young and naive to old and stupid, I’m happy to report that my mistake has not been repeated (although I am still supporting a formerly deposed Nigerian Prince via email.) Sooner or later, we learn that some people treat life like a poker game, gunning for everyone else’s chips. If you do find yourself hungry for a bit of schadenfreude for the less-than-honest, Theater Three offers plenty to chew on in their production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the 11 time Tony-nominated musical based on Steve Martin’s timeless 1988 film.
This cautionary tale pits two accomplished swindlers against one another for control of a fictional town along the French Riviera. Amidst clever dialogue, infectious numbers, and masterful choreography, their diametrically opposed styles zero in on the perfect target: a young American socialite whose heart (and wallet) may be bigger than her brain. But in a game where you’re only as good as your least convincing lie, focus is everything. It’s like the old poker adage: you don’t play your cards; you play your opponent. If you lose sight of that, you may go from swindler to swindled in a hurry. After all, the fattest wolves are simply the ones with the best sheep costume.
I hesitate to call Dirty Rotten Scoundrels an ambitious production, as the script leaves plenty of room to scale the production. For the actors, however, this is a marathon. Everything hinges on their versatility, quick wit, and chemistry. As with any good con, if the actors aren’t buying it, neither are we. With that said, T3 did a flawless job of adapting the material to its stage. Director Vonda K. Bowling clearly understood the assignment and filled her cast with impressive performers. For a run-time of around 2 hours, the actors dance (and wheel) off the page and onto their set with seemingly limitless energy. Led by principals James Crawford (Lawrence), Parker Grey (Freddy), and Christina Austin Lopez (doing double duty as Christine and Jolene), the cast has a riotous time bringing Dirty Rotten’s biting and hilarious core to the surface.
Crawford takes a phenomenal turn as Lawrence as he fills the stage with dry humor, wit, and a terrifically wry sensibility. He plays the perfect foil to Grey’s Freddy, who’s boisterous personality expertly toes the line between obnoxious and endearing, even as his con-artist tactics plunge further into absurdity. Brash, arrogant, and endlessly silly, Freddy is the gasoline to Lawrence’s carefully curated fire.
The target of their turf-war is Christine, an American tourist whose apparent ties to an international laundry detergent brand has dubbed her, “The American Soap Queen.” Her wealth and innocence set our grifters off on a mad dash for who can extract $50,000 from her first, with the loser forced to leave town. Lopez turns in a top-notch performance here. She perfectly embodies the captivating woman Freddy and Lawrence are looking for, with a singing voice to match.
The trio is flanked by Ryan Michael Friedman (Andre) and Mary Gilbreath Grim (Muriel) in supporting roles, and a three-member ensemble/chorus (Sophie De Young, Mark Tom Quach, and Steven Rios). Through Kelly McCain’s choreography and Cody Dry’s musical direction, all performers joyfully turn this Dirty Rotten story into a decadent treat. They are clearly in their gifted element.
The actors aren’t the only ones who shine in this production, either. They are supported by a 5-piece live band who flow seamlessly through the score while doubling as a collective set-piece for the actors to play with throughout. For practical reasons, most community theaters resort to pre-recorded instrumentation over which the actors sing. Wisely, T3 recognizes the importance of filling the stage both physically and sonically, creating an immersive atmosphere that never seems to drag.
Theater Three’s set design ties the show’s whimsy and extravagance beautifully. Most of the action takes place in center stage, around a cleverly designed set piece depicting the wheel on a giant roulette table. Like the real deal, this set piece spins, often with people standing on top. Along with the costuming, the stage paints a splendid picture of laid-back coastal charm and unapologetic glamour. Hats off to T3 for showing the power of well-placed quality over quantity.
I’m no easy mark, but if Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a con-game, Theater Three would have my wallet, my car keys, and pretty much anything else I had on me as I left the theater. It’s a truly superb experience, and it will dazzle its audiences with humor and charm through July 12. A quick word of advice, though: don’t wait to grab your ticket. If you’re like me, you’ll want to sit down at this poker table more than once.
Cheers, and I’ll see you at the next curtain!
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