Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Interact Theatre Company at the NoHo Arts Center

Reviewed by Les Spindle

February 19, 2010

Photo by Dana Wayne

It started in 1963 as the film comedy "Bedtime Story," starring David Niven, Marlon Brando, and Shirley Jones—a featherweight farce about two con men attempting to swindle vulnerable women out of their fortunes on the French Riviera. Flash forward to 1988, when that screenplay was reworked as "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," starring Michael Caine, Steve Martin, and Glenne Headly. Then in 2005, MGM On Stage launched the Broadway tuner "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." In this intimate-theater staging of that piece, the well-worn material remains amusing. The show boasts a jaunty score by David Yazbek ("The Full Monty"), but director Richard Israel's rendition is more satisfying comedically than musically, due to the company's uneven singing efforts. Nonetheless, the deftly played low-comedy shenanigans make for an entertaining couple of hours.

Jeffrey Lane's broadly etched book is similar in tone and style to Mel Brooks' zany "The Producers." Yazbek's clever songs (inexplicably not listed in the playbill) provide insight into the characters and allow for terrific comic business, as in "All About Ruprecht." When mock-suave Lawrence (Chip Phillips), who pretends to be a prince, meets seedy and goofy Freddie Benson (Matt Wolpe), they decide they might make a good team of grifters. Yet when they realize how different their styles are, they decide to compete. Who will be the first to dupe soap heiress Christine Colgate (Kelly Lohman) out of $50,000? Phillips is a resourceful comic actor, mastering hilarious dialects and choice bits of physical shtick. In the more ostentatious role, Wolpe has a field day as the smarmy misfit with lots or sass but little class. Lohman is a delight as the hapless victim of the men's schemes. Michael Manuel elicits fun as hulking bodyguard Andre, who has a secret soft spot in his heart. Susan Hull and Tracy Powell excel in funny supporting roles.

Powell's choreography is appealing, and the set by Dove Huntley and Rob Corn adds a touch of class to the proceedings.

Presented by Interact Theatre Company at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Feb. 12–March 21. Fri.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (818) 765-8732. www.interactla.org.