MSMT Presents DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS 7/15-8/1 At The Pickard Theater

Maine State Music Theatre's third show of the 2009 season is the delightfully deceptive "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." This Tony Award winning musical is based on the film of the same name and includes music and lyrics by David Yazbek, composer and lyricist of "The Full Monty", and a book by Jeffrey Lane. In addition to the familiar story line, the musical boasts witty lyrics with a side of harmless adult humor.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opened on Broadway in 2005 at the Imperial Theatre and upon closing had a very successful North American Tour. MSMT is proudly producing "Dirty" in its Maine premiere. The production runs from July 15th until August 1st at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College. Tickets range from $29 to $52 and are available by calling (207) 725-8769, in person at the box office located in the theater lobby, or online at www.msmt.org.

Just like the movie, the musical transports us to the opulent French Riviera where con artist Lawrence Jameson has been swindling unsuspecting women out of money for years. His tricky ways, kept in check by friend and confidant Inspector Andre, are indeed lucrative and allow him to live the life of which many only dream. Everything is going splendidly for Jameson until American hustler Freddy Benson arrives on the scene to make bank in the Riviera.

Upon further inspection, Jameson begins to think there may not be enough room in the small town for two con artists. In order to weed out one or the other trickster, they strike a deal so that the first man to con $50,000 out of a woman will get to stay in town. The arrival of Christine Colgate, "The American Soap Queen," puts the plan into action and the two men are off on their quest for the dough. Throw in some hilarious antics, witty dialogue, and first-rate deception and everyone is sure to get what they deserve in the end. No one is above scheming in this laugh-out-loud musical. 

The movie starred Michael Caine, Broadway had John Lithgow, and now MSMT's production will include Broadway and MSMT veteran Mark Jacoby as the calculating con artist Lawrence Jameson. Jacoby has appeared in numerous shows at MSMT throughout the years and was seen most recently on Broadway as Judge Turpin in the revival of "Sweeney Todd." Chuck Ragsdale succeeds Steve Martin from the film, and Broadway's Norbert Leo Butz as Freddy Benson on the journey for money. Ragsdale joined MSMT last summer as bumbling accountant Leo Bloom in "The Producers." Leading lady Erin Maguire will round out this trio as Christine Colgate. She was last seen at MSMT in 2006 starring as Nellie Forbush, in "South Pacific."

Karen K. Edissi is no stranger to MSMT's stage and is set to play Muriel Eubanks, a wealthy woman vacationing on the Riveria. David Hess, just seen in MSMT's "Crazy for You", will portray Andre Thibault, local police chief and Jameson's close friend. In yet another side-splitting role, Charis Leos will delight audiences as Oklahoma native Jolene Oakes. Leos joins MSMT again this summer after her hilarious performances as Mayor Matilda in "All Shook Up" and Madame Thénardier in "Les Misérables."

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is the third show of MSMT's fifty-first season. The summer season will close with a new musical comedy "The Drowsy Chaperone." In addition, MSMT will present "Schoolhouse Rock, Live!" as a part of its Theatre for Young Audiences season and a special concert event: the a cappella sensation, Toxic Audio. Individual tickets and season tickets are still available. Detailed show information is available on MSMT's website.

PhotoKaren K. Edissi, Mark Jacoby, Erin Maguire and Chuck Ragsdale

Photo: Annie Rose