|
 ‘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.
|
Now,
keep up to date with daily feeds of newly posted stories about America's
Seniors...click on the box to the left