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'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Opens at Show Palace
Show Palace Dinner Theatre photo by ANDRES E. YEPES
Matthew McGee, front, and Michael Ursua flaunt it in the Show Palace Dinner Theatre production of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opening tomorrow, Feb. 26 and running through April 18.
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Published: February 26, 2010
Updated: 02/26/2010 03:00 pm
"This is theatre at its very best," says Artistic Director Matthew McGee as the hit Broadway musical, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opens tonight at Show Palace for a run through April 18.
"The music is wonderful, funny and poignant. If you loved "The Producers" you will absolutely love this show."
Based on the popular l998 film by the same title, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, this musical has it all.
The musical opened on Broadway in 2005 and was awarded 11 Tony Award nominations, including "Best Musical." With music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane, ("The Full Monty") this show keeps audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the very end.
McGee said that Show Palace was fortunate in that they were able to get the rights to this show. "It had just become available. We book our shows two years in advance, so we got it before other regional theaters."
McGee plays the debonair, polished con man Lawrence Jameson. His scheming pal is Freddy Benson, played by Michael Ursua, as the brash and vulgar swindler who Lawrence takes under his wing.
McGee (Roger DeBris in "The Producers," Dame Crickett in "Holiday Hotel," and recently at American Stage in St. Petersburg in "The Big Bang") and Ursua (Leo Bloom in "The Producers," Disney's "Twice Charmed," and the 50th anniversary tour of "Singin' in the Rain") are doing double duty in this show, as McGee is director and Ursua is music director.
"Michael has everything you really need for this character. He is a very funny comic actor and just a great singer. This character is the funny con man, but he also has to sing these great ballads and rock songs, and even Broadway pop songs. Michael can do it all."
The story is classic. Lawrence Jameson (McGee) is a suave sweet talker of the tallest order, who makes his living talking rich ladies out of their money.
His confidant and bodyguard, Andre Thibault (Thomas Mothershed, making his Show Palace debut) is charged with keeping him out of trouble.
Freddy Benson (Ursua) is a small time con man who swindles women out of their money by pulling on their heart strings with stories of his grandmother's failing health.
The setting is the French Rivera, and the two con men meet on a train. Lawrence invites Freddy to his lavish mansion, where they attempt to work together.
But they soon realize that this small French town just isn't big enough for both of them. They make a bet that the other can't swindle $50,000 from a young, beautiful heiress and "American Soap Queen", Christine Colgate (Missy Dowse, "Thoroughly Modern Millie").
Whoever loses must pull up stakes and leave town. The scheming, masquerades and double crosses keep the audience in stitches, and keep us guessing as to who will really win the bet. Of course, what they didn't count on is that each of them would fall for the lovely heiress, and that is where the real rub lies.
"This is kind of a wink-wink, nod-nod show," says McGee. "It is a caper, a comedy, a musical, with romance and intrigue, with both high comedy and low comedy and great Vegas style dancing."
Joining this dynamic duo is Missy Dowse. "We went through a lot of actresses searching for the right one. We needed someone beautiful, funny, but who also could belt a high D every night. Missy is perfect for this role." Erin Romero (Ulla in "The Producers" and Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific") plays Muriel Eubanks, a dotty pharmaceutical heiress from Omaha, Nebraska. Casey Shea (Ruth in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers") is Jolene Oakes, Jameson's girlfriend.
McGee says that Show Palace audiences love comedy and fast moving bawdy, funny shows. "This show has gorgeous glitzy energetic Las Vegas dance numbers, mixed in with great songs," said McGee.
Choreographers are Chris and Shanna Sells, who created the stunning choreography of the highly successful run of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
"We have a very strong cast. Some old faces and some brand new singer/dancers. A lot of them are playing different characters and that is part of the charm of this show."
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" plays through April 18 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U. S. Highway 19, Hudson, FL 34667.
Doors open two hours before each show for dinner and cocktails. On Sundays, the doors open at 1 p.m. and show starts at 3 p.m.
Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 8 p.m., and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 6 p.m. Matinees are available on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Doors open for dinner and cocktails at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $48 plus tax, for dinner and show. Show only is $36.95 plus tax.
For more information, call 727-863-7949 or 888-655-7469.
Marsha Reiniers writes regularly for the Hernando Today Out & About section. She lives in Spring Hill and can be contacted at Marsha@LTC-FLA.com.
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