Theatre Aspen School Winter Conservatory Presents DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS This Weekend

Theatre Aspen School's Winter Conservatory production of the eleven-time Tony Award-nominated musical comedy DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS begins tonight, December 17, at the Aspen District Theatre, and runs through December 19th.

Based on the hit 1988 movie, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS follows two con-men on the French Riviera. At first, they team up to swindle rich socialites out of their fortunes, but end up trying to out-con each other to hilarious results. The show features music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and a book by Jeffrey Lane. The jazzy, big band score combined with irreverent, side-splitting humor, intrigue and plot twists make for a fun holiday outing.

The production features several returning students, including Emery Major, who also plays Gaston in ACT's Beauty and the Beast, and Lyon Hamill, who appeared in Junie B. Jones, the Musical as part of the 2015 Theatre Aspen Apprentice Program. Luke Ryan and Beth Fawley, also Theatre Aspen School veterans, were most recently seen in SoL Theatre Company's production of Into the Woods. Newcomers include Jessica Garrett, a recent transplant from Mississippi, and Courtney Aitken, a senior at Basalt High School who appeared as Adelaide in last year's school production of Guys and Dolls. The large 18-member cast includes talented students from Aspen to Carbondale.

Northrup said, "We wanted a show that would deliver a natural progression in skill-building for some of our more experienced students, as well as provide talented newcomers and younger teens with fun training in dancing, singing and acting. And of course, it has to be highly entertaining for the community. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is that kind of show."

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS marks the 12th production of the Winter Conservatory, in addition to over 15 Summer Conservatory productions. Graham Northrup, Theatre Aspen's Director of Education, helms the production, which is choreographed by Marisa Post, with Music Direction by Terry Lee.

Tickets are available through the theatreaspen.org or by calling 844-706-7387. Prices are $20 for adults, and $12 for students.

Registration for other after-school classes and theatre workshops is underway. Theatre Aspen School offers theatre education for students in Pre-K through age 19, as well as college-age students and adults. The school's approach emphasizes employing highly-qualified teaching artists to provide excellent, age-appropriate training based on national standards -- including performance, design and stagecraft -- in order to build skills, character and confidence in its students. For further information contact Graham Northrup, Theatre Aspen Director of Education, at 970-300-4299 or visit www.theatreaspen.org. Need-based scholarships and a portion of production expenses are generously underwritten by Juliet Shield-Taylor and the Robins Foundation and Jackie and Jerry Kehle.

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