Review: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Will Keep You Laughing and Guessing at St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook!

St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook kicked off their 2016-2017 season with the musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels about two con men trying swindle a beautiful heiress in the French Rivera. From beginning to end, the company has the audience laughing and entertained with fun dance numbers, hilarious songs, and crazy antics that the two con men will go to any length in order to get what they want, which may not end up going exactly as planned.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is about Lawrence, who makes his living by talking rich women out their money unlike Freddy, who swindles women by making up stories about his grandmother's failing health. At first they try to work together, but soon realize the French Rivera is not big enough for two con men. They agree on a bet: the first one to get $50,000 from a young heiress, Christine Colgate, wins, while the other must leave town. Throughout the show is a battle of wits, cons, hilarity, and an ending the audience never will expect!

Dan Hartley plays the role of Freddy and is absolutely outstanding. From the moment Hartley walks on stage to the end of the show, he is the one to watch. He is charismatic and reminds you that there are people who truly love what they are doing on stage. You can sincerely tell he has fun with his role. Hartley has a great singing voice that fills the theatre and his comedic timing is spot on. He really is the perfect Freddy for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in every way.

Gary Jones plays the role of Andre and he was truly committed throughout the entire performance. His accent never faulted, not when he spoke nor when he sang, and it was very impressive. When he sang, it was beautiful and only left the audience wishing he had more songs in the show because he has such a wonderful voice. Jones had a commanding stage presence as well, but just because he knew when to command the stage, he also knew when to let other take the spotlight as to not take over the show. He was very entertaining to watch and very funny as well.

Carson Delaney plays the role of Jolene and she is just fantastic. First of all, Delaney can sing and is excellent at making the audience joyful and exuberant as she does it. Secondly, she can dance. Delaney is an amazing dancer especially with her high kicks that seem reach the ceiling. Adding the first and second examples together, she sings and dances a lot at the same time without showing the audience any fatigue. Finally, she is just hilarious on stage and does an amazing job playing a stereotypical rich Southern daddy's girl. She's truly a joy to watch.

The rest of cast is rounded out by: Chris Steinmayer (Lawrence), Deb Dworkin (Christine Colgate), Janie Minchella (Muriel), Amel Berg (ensemble), Alison Boggs (ensemble), Laurie Dooley (ensemble), Molly Dorset (ensemble), Sylvester Nadar (ensemble), Erica Poster (ensemble), Pat Rodgers (ensemble), and Jake Zinke (ensemble).

Marcus Laban did a great job directing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and really making the audience feel like they were being transported to the French Rivera. His use of incorporating the whole theatre, not just the stage, really made the performance feel like it was happening all around and not just in a tiny space. Laban was smart with his choices and reveals for cons, which made them even more surprising and entertaining to the audience. The choreographers, Stephanie Peltier and Sarah Kwas, did an excellent job with the space provided. The dance numbers were entertaining and fun, especially "Great Big Stuff."

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a hilarious way for St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook to kick off their season. They made a wonderful choice with deciding to open with the musical comedy. It is a piece of Michigan theatre that will keep the audience laughing and guessing to the very end!

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is currently playing through October 29th at St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills. For more information or tickets, visit www.stdunstanstheatre.com.

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