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
- Book
- Jeffrey Lane
- 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
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
The musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, is based on the 1988 film of the same name and premiered in San Diego, California in September 2004. It then moved to Broadway in January 2005, featuring John Lithgow as Lawrence and Norbert Leo Butz as Freddy. Jonathan Pryce took over as Lawrence in January 2006. The original production was nominated for ten Tony Awards but won just one--Leading Actor in a Musical (Norbert Leo Butz).
Butz reprised his role in the subsequent US tour (2006-7) and the
to read the context for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The scene is set in a lavish casino in the French Riviera. Several women are seeking a prince and, out of the well-dressed crowd, Lawrence Jameson appears with his French assistant, Andre. He is the supposed ‘prince’ as the two men have set up a new scam to alleviate the boredom of these wealthy women, while pilfering their cash (“Give Them What They Want”). One woman in particular--Muriel Eubanks--is completely taken in by Lawrence’s deception and willingly hands over her
to read the plot for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
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
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A production in which musical numbers and dances are fully integrated into a proper narrative with defined dramatic goals.
A type of comedy that uses exaggeration, often with clowning and ridiculous behaviors, in order to entertain.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher