DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Begins Tomorrow at Hackmatack

The hilarious story of two con men, a beautiful woman and the elite of the French Riviera collide in a sexy and irreverent farce opening this week at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based on a 1988 movie starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, is being directed by David Kaye, chairman of the Department of Theater and Dance at University of New Hampshire.

The Hackmatack show brings back several of the stage's most beloved actors. Dan Clay , last seen in Music Man as Harold Hill, returns from Pennsylvania and Steven Michaels, last seen as Inspector Javert in Les Miserable, has come up from Hawaii to star in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Michael Stailey of Rochester, who recently won local acclaim as one of the area's best actors, will take the stage in Dirty Rotten Scoundrelsjust days after leaving his role as Doc in West Side Story. Tanya West, another long-time Hackmatack favorite who heads the Marshwood High School theater program, is also starring in this show, while Tess Jonas, who plays Christine, has come up from the Boston area to make her Hackmatack debut.

The movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, was based on the 1964 comedy Bedtime Story starring David Niven, Marlon Brando, and Shirley Jones. The 1988 remake was done by director Frank Oz. This sophisticated and suave farce, featuring a jazzy score by David Yazbek, was nominated for 11 Tony Awards.

Hackmatack Artistic Director Cyrstal Lisbon said she chose Kaye, who lives in South Berwick, to direct this show because she knew he would be able to get the most out of its humor while adeptly developing its story line.

"David is not only brilliant, smart, lovely, and engaging, he is also absolutely hysterical," Lisbon said. "He has a great knack for comedy, and for bringing out the best in actors. I knew he would find the nuances in the show, add bits to make it even funnier, and bring together an all-star cast."

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick runs 8 p.m. July 29 to Aug. 1, Aug 5 to 8 and Aug. 12 to 15, with matinees Thursdays at 2 pm July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. Shows are $25 Wednesdays and Thursdays and $30 weekends, with discounts for seniors and $10 tickets for students. For more information go to hackmatack.org or call 207-698-1807

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