Well, this year proves no different when it comes to our beloved Old Globe Theatre. On the heels of his Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Hairspray, Old Globe Artistic Director Jack O'Brien will debut another film-turned-musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
The world premiere musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as the first production in its 2004/2005 Season, playing in the Old Globe Theatre September 15 through October 31, 2004. Based on the film of the same name starring Michael Cain and Steve Martin, this production is directed by O’Brien, who won the 2003 Tony Award for his direction of Hairspray.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels features music and lyrics by The Full Monty composer/lyricist David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane. Broadway’s leading choreographer Jerry Mitchell also joins the creative team as choreographer, having teamed up with O’Brien on their previous productions of The Full Monty, Imaginary Friends and Hairspray.
Following its run at The Old Globe, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has plans to move to New York for a Broadway opening on March 3, 2005 (previews begin January 31). The cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is highlighted by multiple Tony and Emmy Award-winner John Lithgow in the role of “Lawrence Jameson” as well as Norbert Leo Butz as “Freddy Benson,” Sherie Rene Scott as “Christine Colgate,” Tony Award-winner Joanna Gleason as “Muriel Eubanks,” Gregory Jbara as “Andre Thibault” and Sara Gettelfinger as “Jolene Oakes.”
Based on the popular 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on two con men living in the French Riviera. The first, a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health. The other is suave, sophisticated con artist Lawrence Jameson, who also makes his living by talking rich ladies out of their money, but on a much grander scale.
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. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target wins, and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues, bringing out the best and worst in each man, along with a fun, unexpected twist that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!
The production team for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels includes David Rockwell, Scenic Designer (Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Show), Gregg Barnes, Costume Designer (Sideshow), Kenneth Posner, Lighting Design (Hairspray, Imaginary Friends), Ted Sperling, Music Director (The Full Monty, Floyd Collins, Striking 12), Zane Mark, Dance Music Arranger (The Full Monty), and Michael Brunner, Stage Manager.
Patrons can purchase tickets immediately and guarantee their seats to this thrilling world premiere musical by purchasing a subscription to the Globe’s 2004/5 season. Single tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels can be purchased by calling Globe Ticket Services at (619) 23-GLOBE, by visiting the Globe Box Office in Balboa Park, or online at www.TheOldGlobe.org.
