The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Company.
Photo by Chris Bennion
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (The Fox Theater)

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" has arrived at the Fox Theater in Atlanta and it is a rollicking, raucous, fun-filled show with enough good tunes to keep you singing all the way home. This musical is based on the 1988 movie comedy that starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. Who knew songs and dance numbers could be incorporated into that story with such ease and excellence.

The story concerns a con man named Lawrence Jameson (Tom Hewitt) living on the Riviera. He has had much success and is at the top of his game. Then he meets Freddie (Timothy Gulan), an aspiring con man who wants to learn at the master's feet. Jameson agrees to take him on but eventually decides there is not room in his town for the both of them. So they make a bet on what they consider to be the ultimate con, and the loser must leave town.

All of this plays out with a lot of fun involved and also some romance. Three women figure prominently in the play. Hollis Resnik plays Muriel, a woman with some cash who is hoping maybe to find love. Then there is Jolene (Jennifer Foote) who is an Oklahoman and proud of it. She intends to rope herself a man and take him home. Finally there is Christine (Laura Marie Duncan). She is a little naïve and a lot blonde, with a heart bigger than her brain.

The show starts off a little slowly but by the time Jolene ambles on stage the pace picks up, and it stays at high speed right up till the end. Hewitt is urbane and articulate as Jameson while Gulan is Nathan Lane-ish as Freddie. Resnik plays Madeline Kahn playing Muriel and it is total fun to watch. 

The songs are all singable, and the dances delightful. The staging is even better. This is a play that moves its cast around and about and the sets keep up with them. You actually feel you are visiting the Riviera.

If you want a fall pick me up then don't miss this wonderfully comedic musical. It's a little crude in spots with some profanity thrown around so you might want to leave the kids at home. Call it PG-13 rated.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" plays through November 5 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. It continues the tradition of solid entertainment that has been offered in the series of musical plays we have seen during the past few months at the Fox. So hurry and get your ticket and sing and dance along with some real scoundrels in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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