Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Musical

Writers: Jeffrey Lane David Yazbek

Overview

Show Information

Music
Lyrics
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988 film)
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2004
Genres
Comedy, Farce
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
The French Riviera, Present Day
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal for
College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes

Includes adult, mature adult, late teen, young adult characters

Synopsis

The modern musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, is based on the 1988 MGM film of the same name, starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. In the exotic French Riviera, Lawrence Jameson makes his living by smooth talking rich, single women out of their money. He has been in the trade for many years and has got his technique down to a tee. But then he bumps into Freddy Benson… Freddy takes a humbler, more laid back approach, swindling women with emotional lies about his grandmother's failing health and his own economic struggles. The two men initially decide to form a double act but their egos soon clash and the French coast isn't big enough for the two of them. To settle their rivalry, they agree on a bet: the first to swindle $50,000 from the latest young heiress in town, Christine Colgate, can stay and the other must leave town. However, is Christine really all she seems? Hilarity and confusion ensue as the two men pull out all the steps to prove they are the best con man in town.

Lead Characters


Dirty Rotten Scoundrels guide sections