STAGE TUBE: Creating Boston College's DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

The Boston College Theatre Department and Robsham Theater Arts Center will present the hit musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels April 27 - May 1, 2011 on the Robsham Main Stage. Adapted from the 1988 feature film comedy starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the musical, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and a book by Jeffrey Lane, tells the story of two con artists battling head-to-head in an effort to swindle an heiress out of her riches.

Set in the beautiful French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presents the battle of wits between Lawrence Jameson, a sophisticated veteran charlatan, and Freddy Benson, an aspiring huckster who wants to learn from the master (and give him a run for his money). Their challenge to see who can be the first to swindle Christine Colgate, a naive American soap heiress, out of $50,000 leads to a game of one?upmanship full of clever disguises and hilarious twists and turns. A supporting cast of vacationers, hotel workers, and wealthy socialites provide a series of song-and?dance numbers that add to merriment.

The BC production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is directed and choreographed by guest artist Kevin P. Hill, a veteran of Broadway, Off Broadway, and national touring companies, including tours of Hello Dolly! starring Carol Channing, Leslie Uggams, and Michele Lee. Musical direction is by José Delgado, who returns to BC after working on such past productions as Urinetown in 2008 and Sweet Charity in 2009. Joining Hill and Delgado on the production team are Theatre Department Associate Professor Crystal Tiala (scenic design), Assistant Professor Jacqueline Dalley (costume design), guest artist Frank Meissner (lighting design), and Technical Supervisor George Cooke (sound design). A sneak peek inside the design process is available via the "Creating the Process" video on the Theatre Department's website: www.bc.edu/theatre.

"This show is pure light-hearted fun," says Theatre Department Chair Scott T. Cummings. "It's clever one moment and a little bit naughty the next. There's lots of great dance numbers, a luscious sun?splashed setting, and a million costumes. It will be a feast for the eyes and ears."

Featured in the production are BC seniors Seth Byrum as Lawrence and Patrick Connolly as Freddy. Freshman Sarah Winglass plays the role of Christine Colgate. Senior Lisa Bocuzzi will play Jolene Oakes and junior Kasey Brown will play Muriel Eubanks, two victims of Lawrence's conning ways. Lawrence's bodyguard Andre will be portrayed by junior Cam Cronin.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels took Broadway by storm in 2005 and ran for more than 620 performances, 17 years after the debut of the film directed by Frank Oz. The roles in the Broadway show were played to great acclaim by actors John Lithgow and Norbert Leo Butz, with each receiving Tony award nominations. Reviewers ate up the piece, with New York Magazine calling it "funny...clever, with a nice sprinkle of the outrageous" and The New York Sun hailing it as both "clever and engaging."

The production opens Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Saturday, April 31, 2011, and Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage of the Robsham Theater Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors, and are available at the RTAC Box Office, or by calling 617?552?4002. For more information, please go to www.bc.edu/theatre

 

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