Rating: 4
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The Barn Players, Inc.
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek) gives a musical twist to the 1988 film which starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. A charming, suave, experienced con man, Lawrence, is approached by a brash upstart to the trade, Freddie, wanting to learn from the master. The action that keeps them turning from allies to adversaries provides a wealth of comedy.
The Barn Players' production, directed by Barb Nichols with musical direction by Martha Risser, is fast-paced and energetic, aided by Rob Reeder's choreography and an accomplished orchestra. The set design by Alex Coppaken gives a seeming added depth to the Barn's stage, and changes are fast and fluid.
The principal roles of Lawrence (Mark Murphy) and Freddie (Kevin Bogan) are not perfectly cast. Lawrence should be older (think Michael Caine!) and Freddie younger, giving more contrast between the wise, experienced conman and his eager pupil. Murphy and Bogan are too close in age to pull this off completely. That being said, each does very well with his respective role. Murphy oozes debonair charm and is clearly a master at the craft of bamboozling. Bogan shows a broad range with a talent for comedy, making Freddie as crass and uncouth as he needs to be, yet still very easy to like. There is a similar casting hiccup with Kipp Simmons in the role of Andre, a French policeman and cohort of Lawrence. Andre should be the experienced, seen-it-all, done-it-all, took-the-graft gendarme, much like Claude Rains' Captain Louis Renault in the film "Casablanca"; Renault is a worldly, mental match for Humphrey Bogart's Rick, going bad at times by choice, not because he is led astray. Here, Andre is too young, too easily led by Lawrence in his schemes. Despite this, Simmons executes the role well, particularly in his clumsy, yet successful seduction scene with the song, "Like Zis, Like Zat."
The tutor-pupil relationship takes on a new change with the entrance of Christine (Aurelie Rogue), the American "Soap Queen," newly arrived to the French Riviera. Rogue is perfect in the role, bringing the seeming innocence of the all-American girl, and causing the conmen's worlds to be shaken and stirred!
There are some wonderful supporting performances as well, with particular note deserved by Andrea Krasnow as Jolene, one of Lawrence's too-successful conquests, who delivers a rootin' tootin' song of the joys of "Oklahoma" she expects Lawrence will soon experience. Kay Noonan as Muriel, another of Lawrence's ladies, shows off some nice vocal talent in "What Was a Woman to Do" and is great fun to watch with Andre in their scenes following "Like Zis, Like Zat."
Sound designer Sean Leistico also deserves mention for keeping everyone clearly heard and presenting one particular effect that is too funny to give away.
The show continues March 12-14 and 19-21. You won't want to miss this! I con you not!
read the review at KC Stage
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