Theater Reviews

Apr 4, 2009 - "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," the musical, cons its way to hit status at Reno's Pioneer Center

By Jack Neal

What is it about con artists that make them so attractive? “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” conned its way into Reno Friday night (4/3/09). Was it a heist? Or was it really Broadway comes to Reno in its full glory? To be honest, it’s a bit of both.

Near the end of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” the dapper Brian McKay, playing older scoundrel Lawrence Jameson, says to his less-than-couth co-star Stephen Patterson, playing younger scoundrel Freddy Benson, “What you lack in grace you certainly make up in vulgarity.” He might just as well have been writing a review of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”

The setting for the show’s naughty shenanigans is the French Riviera. The Riviera is loaded with rich ladies ripe to be ripped off. Despite its winning cast and occasional urbane wit, frat-boy crassness predominates. With McKay’s self-effacing nonchalance taking a back seat to Patterson’s mugging (and humping), the crude aspects of Freddy take center stage. Freddy’s lament, “A life of taste and class/With culture and sophistication pouring out my ass” does more than hint at the show’s baser instincts.

All that being a given, along with the no-more than serviceable tunes of David Yazbek’s score (he also provides the lyrics), the funny lines of Jeffrey Lane’s book pump enough hilarity into a longish running time (fifteen minutes short of three hours including an intermission) that makes the show appealing to those who don’t mind their entertainment on the bawdy side.

More English music hall than book musical, this road-show version of what opened on Broadway in March 2005 has a new opening number, “The Only Game In Town.” It’s the upbeat opening this glitzy musical needs. Once past the shock of the bland instrumental arrangements of the synthesized five-piece orchestra, the show’s look, laughs and splash win out.

With a rich, pliable voice and a marvelous command of physical comedy, Patterson is a triple-threat artist who should be in enormous demand on Broadway itself. Patterson is as much a great big talent as his opening number, “Great Big Stuff,” is a great big beginning for a great new star.

McKay’s sophistication counterbalances Patterson’s flash. He’s a continental smoothie who plays the assured conman with enough panache to rip rich ladies off in style. McKay has grit, heart, and the kind of smooth singing voice that makes his wistful “Love Sneaks In” a most appealing moment. Heather McGuigan makes a strong impression as the attractive soap-heiress presumptive, Christine Colgate. Her mix of demureness and brassy calculation is just the right recipe for delivering a knowing “Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True.”

As Andre, the French cop in cahoots with corruption, the suave Patrick Brown is first-rate as the schemer with a preference for women with money. And Muriel is the woman with the money that makes Andre dance. Muriel is brought off with comedic flair to spare by Karen K. Edissi. In the process of being dumped by Freddy (visions of Margaret Dumont opposite Groucho Marx), Christy Adamson - a voluptuous oil heiress from Oklahoma - has a ball. And it’s a madcap scene that’s a ball to watch.

The remainder of the cast is just as terrific as the principals and they deliver over and over again. The choreography by Jackie Mustakas is stylish and has lots of zip. Alex Mustakas has directed the show with the split-second timing that helps cover the awkwardness presented by a book created from a movie from another movie. The David Rockwell sets may be somewhat scaled down for this road-show company but are still elaborate, colorful and quite attractive. Gregg Barnes’s costumes are saucy, splashy creations that please. Jeff Johnston’s lighting gives the production a handsome glow. Craig Goddard’s sound design is well done and provides the comfort of natural sound that’s boosted just enough for easy hearing.

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” manages to steal an audience’s heart while its characters steal one another’s money. In the current economy getting money the easy way – by not earning it – is the ultimate escapist entertainment.

Happy days are here again.

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” part of the Broadway Comes to Reno series, can be seen at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Friday, April 3 (2009) at 8 p.m. (the performance reviewed), Saturday, April 4 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday April 5 at 2 and 7 p.m. For information call 775-686-6600 or go on line at pioneercenter.com.