BWW Reviews: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - THE MUSICAL at the Old Log

Perhaps it was the fact that I had not seen this show before. Or maybe it was the good, old 1980s-era movie sensibility. But mostly it was the infectiously fun cast that made me fall for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - THE MUSICAL. Starring Peter Moore as Lawrence Jameson and Eric Morris as Freddy Benson, this cast was having a great time and they pulled each member of the audience in with them in this fast-moving farce that is a perfect spring break for those of us who need a holiday from the usual in the Twin Cities.

While neither Moore or Morris were the best singers ever, they held their own and really sold their characters wholeheartedly. Moore's charm, charisma and worldly air gave the scam artist Jameson just the right attitude that you could believe he was romancing women half his age successfully. Morris put everything he had into Freddy's screwball songs and antics. Especially in "Great Big Stuff," where he belted the song and danced with aplomb in the showstopper. One would imagine he's wiped out by the end of the show each evening. The energy was frenetic but he also had a certain charm and drew you in.

Based on the Steve Martin/Michael Caine film of 1988, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS -THE MUSICAL centers on two con men living on the French Riviera. Jameson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. When it becomes apparent that the Riviera isn't big enough for the both of them, they make a winner-take-all wager over the fortunes of a naïve American soap heiress: the first one to "clean her out" can make the other clear out and keep the Riviera and its unsuspecting tourists to himself. With a score by David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and book by Jeffrey Lane, the musical was nominated for 11 Tony Awards.

Kaylyn Forkey (Christine Colgate) played the soap heiress to whom the two con artists fought over for her money and ultimately for her heart. Not even a year out of college, Forkey played the part with a maturity beyond her years and a very strong soprano, and held her own with the con men in the charm department. James Michael Detmar (Andre Thibault) and Jen Burleigh-Bentz (Muriel) were a delightful duo who brought unexpected romance and heart to the secondary story when they paired up. Burleigh-Bentz's vocal talents stood out in "What Was a Woman to Do?" early in Act 1.

A talented dancing ensemble brought this cast of 18 together under the direction of R. Kent Knutson. Musical direction by Raymond Berg with a top notch five-member orchestra backstage kept the action moving and the balance just right with Jeff Geisler's sound design.

Some set moves couldn't keep up with the mad-cap pace of the production but no worries, the cast slyly acknowledge the situation and got laughs that put them past the moment. That and other breaks in the fourth wall kept the audience in on the jokes, which worked well in this intimate but large space.

The Old Log Theatre has been around for 75 years, which is amazing considering the drive from the Twin Cities to get there but shows like DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - THE MUSICAL are reason enough to make the trip. With a nice, long run, there are no excuses not to get out to the west side and see this flirtacious and fun farce while you can.

More information

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - Opens March 21 running through May 30, 2015, at the Old Log Theatre in Greenword, near Excelsior. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 for weekday matinees, $29 for Thursday evenings and Sunday matinees, $30 for Friday evenings and $35 for Saturdays. Student tickets and group rates are available.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.oldlog.com or by calling 952-474-5951 (toll free 1-866-653-5641). Reservations can also be made for dinner at the Old Log Theatre's new restaurant, CAST & CRU at www.castandcru.com or 952-767-9700

Photo: Eric Morris and Peter Moore in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, courtesy of Old Log Theatre.

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