Photo Flash: Musical Theatre West's DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Begins Tonight

Broadway's scamming, scheming, double-crossing musical hit DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS cons its way onto the Carpenter Center Stage via Musical Theatre West (MTW) for 13 performances tonight, July 8, through July 24. The production stars Broadway veterans Davis Gaines (Phantom of the Opera,Camelot) and Benjamin Schrader (Book of Mormon, Avenue Q), and Ovation Award nominee (for MTW'sYoung Frankenstein) Rebecca Ann Johnson. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at them in character below!

The production co-stars Cynthia Ferrer (Happy Days The New Musical and TV's "Judging Amy" and "Crossing Jordan") as Muriel Eubanks; Kyle Nudo (Fringe production of Werewolves of Hollywood Boulevard and films "Leatherheads" and "Dude, Where's My Car?") as Andre Thibault, and Jennifer Kranz ("Doppleganger," "Solstice") as Jolene Oakes.

From the composer/lyricist David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and a book by Jeffrey Lane, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is based on the Steve Martin and Michael Caine film, written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning. Brilliantly crafted with wit, double-entendres , and show-stopping numbers, the Broadway show earned 11 Tony Award nominations, including "Best Musical," "Best Book," and "Best Score" and the Drama League Award for "Best Musical."

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS centers on two con men living on the French Riviera - the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson (Davis Gaines), who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money; and Freddy Benson, a small-time crook who, more humbly, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. So they make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a young heiress, triumphs and the other must leave town. What follows is a series of hilarious schemes, masquerades and double-crosses that will keep you laughing, humming and guessing to the end!

Musical Theatre West's production of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is directed and choreographed by Billy Sprague, Jr. with musical direction by John Glaudini. The production is made possible by 2015-2016 Season Honorary Producers Don & Marlene Temple, who also serve as Honorary Producers for this production; The Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation; and Ken & Dottie Reiner. Associate Producers for the show include Howard& Elaine Davis, Richard Neri & Kurt Schulzman and Show Sponsors are Jerry Bloeser, Dr. Myron Bloom, Larry & Shari Nemirow, and Ethel Severson. MTW Executive Director Paul Garman serves as Producer. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Tickets are now on sale for Musical Theatre West's production of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS at the Carpenter Center. For call (562) 856-1999 ext. 4 or go to www.musical.org.

Davis Gaines and Benjamin Schrader

Benjamin Schrader and Rebecca Johnson

Benjamin Schrader, Rebecca Johnson and Davis Gaines