It?s not a scheme.
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” playing at the Hippodrome this week, is funny, charming and sophisticated ? just like a good con man.
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” was first made famous in the 1988 movie with the same name, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine. The musical debuted on Broadway in March 2005.
Lawrence Jameson is a suave swindler. His con consists of convincing rich women that he is a royal prince in need of money to fund his imaginary country?s revolution. Freddy Benson is a small-time con man, stealing small amounts of money from women who think his grandmother is in need of surgery too expensive to afford.
At first, Lawrence and Freddy team up as teacher and student. But when their town gets a little too small for two swindlers, Lawrence and Freddy make a bet ? whoever can get $50,000 out of an American soap heiress gets to stay, while the other has to leave.
Tom Hewitt, most famous for his role as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the Broadway production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” portrays Lawrence, while Freddy is played by Timothy Gulan.
The musical itself is hilarious, complete with a beautiful score and upbeat songs. Hewitt is debonair and wonderfully charming in his role as the sophisticated swindler Lawrence. Although folks who are familiar with his role in “Rocky Horror” may find it hard to think of him any other way, Hewitt?s sparkling charisma and natural talent will convince viewers he?s been playing the con man his entire life.
Gulan?s physical comedy is by far the best part of his role as Freddy. Whether it?s gyrating his hips during a song, trying to break off a piece of chewy beef jerky or just making silly faces, Gulan garners multiple laughs from the audience.
Hollis Resnik and Drew McVety, in their respective roles as Murial Eubanks and Andre Thibault, nearly steal the show, making the audience roar with laughter as they fall in love over hilarious one-liners.
Although the musical runs a bit long ? three hours including a 15-minute intermission ? there are enough funny moments to keep you sustained for hours after leaving the theater.
If you go
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”
» Venue: The Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 3
» Cost: $27 to $72
» More info: www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
