DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Opens At Bowie Playhouse, 4/20

Prince George's Little Theatre will produce the musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at the Bowie Playhouse from April 20 to May 12. All Friday performances and the first three Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. The Sunday performances on April 22, 29 and May 5 and closing performance on Saturday May 12 are 2 p.m. matinees. The play is directed by Rebecca Koltraba-Bhargava and produced by Keith Brown. The choreographer is Richelle Howie-Lacewell, and the music director is Chris Pinder.

Two con men, a beautiful woman, and the elite of the French Riviera collide in this clever and amusing farce. Based on the popular MGM film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is sophisticated and suave with a good dash of mischief. This hysterical comedy features a delightfully jazzy score and was nominated for a staggering 11 Tony Awards after its 2005 Broadway opening. It has had many international productions, including a long-running revival on Britain's West End in 2014-15.

Lawrence Jameson (Brian Binney) makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. He is abetted by the local chief of police Andre (Jim Adams). Muriel Eubanks (Michelle Reed) is one of the heiresses who fall prey to Lawrence's charms, although she is also drawn to his "bodyguard" Andre. A bigger problem is the pistol-toting Jolene Oakes (Rowena Winker), who is determined to marry Lawrence and drag him home to Oklahoma.

Freddy Benson (Shane Conrad) more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. However, Lawrence begins to see him as a significant competitor. After meeting on a train, the men attempt to work together only to find that the Riviera town that both have targeted isn't big enough for the two of them.

They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate (Jamie Erin), wins, and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that keeps the audience guessing to the end as to who will win the contest through the plot's many twists and surprises.

Included in the ensemble cast and playing many of the musical's smaller roles are Alan Barnett, Penni Barnett, Victoria Rose Brown, Ken Kienas, Heather Mattern and Derek Winkler.

Adding to the show's colorful visual impact are Doreen Roberts (Properties and Set Dressing), Ryan Ronan (Set Design and Set Painting), and Linda Swann (Costumes).

All performances take place at the Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive, Bowie, Maryland. Regular-priced tickets ($25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors) can be purchased at www.pglt.org, by calling (301) 937-7458, or at the box office prior to each performance if tickets are remaining. Groups of ten or more can purchase tickets in advance for $15 a ticket. There are directions to the Playhouse and more details on ticket purchases at PGLT's website: www.pglt.org.

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