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“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” swindles its way to the heart in Denton
By Penny Rathbun
prathbun@acnpapers.com
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” appeals to that streak of larceny that most human beings secretly harbor. Like shoulders, it's broader in some than in others.
The Music Theatre of Denton's production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” takes full advantage of that side of human nature with a pair of con men that ooze with charm and dishonorable intentions.
It's easy to see how Donahue's Lawrence Jameson is so successful at seducing rich, lonely women on the French Riviera. His height and patrician demeanor make him look like he stepped out of a Rolex watch ad. It also helps that his singing, dancing and acting fit him as well as his dinner jacket.
Justin Harmon as Freddy Benson provides an excellent Mutt to Donahue's Jeff. Harmon wrings all the comic possibilities out of his character and then adds bushels of his own inspired clowning.
Kenny Fudge as Andre Thibault acts as a native guide for scamming to Lawrence and Freddy. He successfully portrays European sensibilities, no small feat here in North Texas.
The opening night performance began slowly and didn't pick up momentum until Freddy's number with the chorus singers “Great Big Stuff.” From that point everyone seemed to pick up their game for the rest of the show.
Mandy Rausch as Muriel Eubanks, another rich, lonely woman looking for adventure in a recreation spot for the upper classes, finds more than she bargains for as she falls in love with Andre. So does he. The two characters seem to find true love. Watching the two actors play this out adds much fun to the show.
Jolene Oaks, played by Stephanie Felton, takes the role of the loud cowgirl Texans are more familiar with, and puts her name on it. She knows how to handle her sidearms too, especially when she uses them to make Lawrence “dance.”
Kelsey Macke, as Christine Colgate, brings the whole show together as the young woman who has won a prize which she is willing to use to help Freddy who she thinks is a veteran suffering from psychosomatic paralysis.
Freddy, Lawrence and Andre spend most of their time thinking up ways to bilk money from lonely women and or avoiding arrest.
Voices and music blend well in this show. The orchestra sits in a corner of the set, barely visible to the audience. The conductor, John Norine, Jr. becomes a presence on his own. The set reminded me a bit of “South Pacific.” I kept expecting him to turn around and sing “This Nearly Was Mine.”
This show is worth seeing, but there are some things to ignore. Tyler Donahue has a large, white spot of hair coloring on his forehead that doesn't seem like it belongs there. The chorus members are excellent singers, but nobody defies gravity when it comes to the dancing. One large staircase gets moved around for various reasons. When actors stand at the top of it when it is not connected to anything else it just seems dangerous.
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” plays at the Campus Theatre in Denton through May 23. Visit www.musictheatreofdenton.com for ticket information.
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