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Overview

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.

Show Information

Music
David Yazbek
Lyrics
David Yazbek
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988 film)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
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, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Lawrence Jameson

Lead

Male

Tenor

Freddy Benson

Lead

Male

Tenor

Jolene Oaks

Supporting

Female

Alto

Andre Thibault

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Muriel Eubanks

Supporting

Female

Alto

Christine Colgate

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

  • *Give Them What They Want - Lawrence, Andre, Ensemble
  • What Was a Woman to Do - Muriel, Female Ensemble
  • Great Big Stuff - Freddy, Ensemble
  • Chimp in a Suit - Andre
  • *Oklahoma? - Jolene, Lawrence, Ensemble
  • All About Ruprecht - Lawrence, Freddy, Jolene
  • What Was a Woman to Do (Reprise) - Muriel
  • *Here I Am - Christine, Ensemble
  • Nothing is Too Wonderful to Be True - Christine, Freddy
  • The Miracle (Act I Finale) - Company

Act Two

  • Ruffhousin' Mit Shüffhausen - Lawrence, Freddy, Christine
  • Like Zis/Like Zat - Andre, Muriel
  • *The More We Dance - Lawrence, Christine, Ensemble
  • Love is My Legs - Freddy, Christine, Ensemble
  • Love Sneaks In - Lawrence
  • Like Zis/Like Zat (Reprise) - Muriel
  • Son of Great Big Stuff - Freddy, Christine
  • The Reckoning - Lawrence, Freddy, Andre
  • Dirty Rotten Number - Lawrence, Freddy, Christine
  • Finale - Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher