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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Cons Its Way into North TexasEdited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelladyThe National Tour of the scamming, scheming, double-crossing hit Broadway musical, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, is coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park presented by Dallas Summer Musicals from October 3-22, 2006. NORBERT LEO BUTZ TO REPRISE
Based on the popular 1988 MGM film, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS centers on two con men living on the French Riviera – the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money; and a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, who, more humbly, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health. After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. So they make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a young heiress, triumphs and the other must leave town. What follows are a series of schemes, masquerades and double-crosses in which nothing may ever be exactly what it seems.
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS features the music and lyrics of David Yazbek (The Full Monty) with direction by Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Damn Yankees), choreography by Jerry Mitchell (La Cage aux Folles, Hairspray, The Full Monty, Gypsy), and a book by Jeffrey Lane. The design team includes David Rockwell (sets), Gregg Barnes (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound). Ted Sperling serves as musical director and the orchestrations are by Harold Wheeler. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is produced on Broadway and on National Tour by The Dirty Rotten Producers in association with MGM On Stage. The executive producers are Marty Bell and Aldo Scrofani. Single tickets, priced from $28.50-$75.50, are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any Ticketmaster outlet; or by calling 214-631-ARTS or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 20 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP. Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, and American Airlines. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, call 214-421-5678 or visit the Dallas Summer Musicals website at www.dallassummermusicals.org. Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who contributes to www.travellady.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.carladynews.com, www.teaatlas.com |
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Norbert Leo Butz, who won the 2005 Tony Award® for Best
Actor in a Musical for his role of Freddy Bensen in the Broadway production,
will reprise the role for the first six cities of the national tour, including
the Dallas engagement. Other casting will soon be announced. DIRTY ROTTEN
SCOUNDRELS reunites David Yazbek (music and lyrics) with Tony Award winners Jack
O’Brien (direction) and Jerry Mitchell (choreography), the Tony-nominated team
behind The Full Monty. The raucous new musical comedy show features a book by
Jeffrey Lane that keeps audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the very
end.
Norbert Leo Butz’s portrayal of Freddy Benson in the
original Broadway company was the most awarded performance in Broadway history,
garnering him the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award,
Astaire Award for Best Dancer on Broadway, and the Drama League Award for
Performance of the Year. He last appeared on Broadway in Wicked, where he
created the role of Fiyero. Other Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not (Tony,
Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations, Best Featured Actor in a Musical) and
Rent (original cast, Broadway debut). His Off-Broadway credits include Buicks
(Drama Desk nomination, Outstanding Actor in a Play); The Last Five Years (Drama
Desk, Lucille Lortel nominations, Outstanding Actor in a Musical; Drama League
Award, Outstanding Actor in a Musical); Juno and the Paycock (Roundabout) and
Saved (Theatre for a New Audience). Norbert's performance as the Emcee in the
first national tour of Cabaret garnered him Helen Hayes, Jefferson, Dora and
Ovation Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He spent four seasons at the
Alabama Shakespeare Festival, in addition to his numerous roles at the Repertory
Theatre of St. Louis. He has appeared in the films “Noon Blue Apples” (Sundance
Film Festival nominee) and “Went to Coney Island,” and on television on "The
Tonight Show" and "Law & Order."
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS opened on Broadway in March 2005 to
rave reviews, where it continues to delight audiences at The Imperial Theatre.
The New York Times’ Ben Brantley called it, “The most eagerly awaited new
musical of the season.” Clive Barnes (New York Post) raved, “A knockout punch
to Broadway’s funnybone! One of the liveliest, funniest, best-performed musicals
in years. Super-smart and superior in every way.” And Terry Teachout (The Wall
Street Journal) proclaimed, “I know funny when I see it, and this show is a
perfect hoot! A big hit.” DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS was awarded 11 Tony Award
nominations, including Best Musical. The musical had its world premiere at San
Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in September 2004.
