DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS review by Munk

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:36am

I am very happy to say that I just returned home from seeing this show, and the future of musical theatre no longer looks as dim as it did when I returned from BROOKLYN last night. It doesn't look dim at all with DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS now on the boards.
You know when you're scanning down the list of producers and see the likes of Florenz Ziegfeld and The Entire Prussian Army listed above the title that his show doesn't take itself seriously and is all about making the audience laugh. This show is in no way my ideal Broadway musical - I tend to enjoy more serious, dramatic works - but DRS sucked me in right from the opening number. Instead of writing a formal review, I'm going to go down the list of different elements and performers.

John Lithgow - He floats around the stage with such an air or royalty and sopistication that you know you're in the presence of a real pro. He speaks with such dignity and assurance that no matter what words are coming out of his mouth, it makes you want to listen. He has perfect comic timing and amazing chemistry with everyone on stage, particularly Norbert Leo Butz. His singing isn't all that impressive, but ne never tries very hard to be a singer - he executes his songs with the perfect amount of dry humor and slyness that the actual quality of his voice is secondary. He evokes memories of, most notably, Rex Harrison - such a cool, composed sophistication that literally is like music to your ears. As far as his raw acting, there's no point in questioning or critiquing whether he can or cannot act - he's made it quite apparant to recent theatregoers that he is an absolutely brilliantly solid actor. Granted, it's not the most difficult part to play, and his material is so solid and true that it would truly take a horrendous actor to make it not work. I give him my highest marks and praise and cannot wait to see his name listed as one of the five nominees come May - because it will (there's still SPAMALOT, though) be there. He really is perfection.

Norbert Leo Butz - Wow, I never thought that this guy had it in him to be a powerful, successful leading Broadway man. I have always been a fan of his voice, but this is his best work yet. From the very second he steps onto that stage, he makes it quite clear to the audience that from there on in, he will command the stage. Again, he is given such remarkably, brilliantly funny material I would only expect the best from him. He steals every scene he's in and continued to shock me in his comic ability. He truly is the greatest, funniest performer I have seen on stage since Jackie Hoffman in HAIRSPRAY 2 seasons ago. Everything he does is solidly hysterical and perfect. Even when he's not in the spotlight, if you let your eyes drift upstage to him, you will not be able to take them away. I seriously could go on all night about how absolutely perfect he is in this role - truly, truly amazing. I definitely have a new found respect for him, and for musical comedy actors. I have seen so many flawed, bad, and terrible musical comedy "actors" fall flat on their face while trying to be funny that when comparing them all to Norbert Leo Butz, he is like royalty - a new musical theatre God. I may sound overly dramatic about him in this show, but I assure you that he is everything I've said he is and more. He will make you want to return to the show again and again, I promise you that. Norbert will absolutely score a nomination for this amazing performance, and I firmly believe that he will win the award as well.

Sherie Rene Scott - It is so great to see her onstage again, especially reunited with Norbert. She comes into the show very late in Act One, but catches up with the rest very quickly. I was very unsure about her when she first entered, but when she gets rolling she doesn't stop - and just gets better and better. Her initial material isn't as funny as the rest of the characters, but when it is - she soars. She's absolutely hysterical, and it's so nice to see her amazing chemistry with Norbert again - even if it is in a less "romantic" setting. She certainly is a first-rate performer, and never disappoints.

Joanna Gleason - Wow, does this woman look hot for her age! It is so reassuring to see her onstage again...this is the first time I've seen her perform since INTO THE WOODS. I was very pleased to see that her entrance was greeted with a nice round of applause, save for the guy beside me who subsequently read her bio in the Playbill. She is very under-used in Act One, but that's only because she has such a gleaming presence - the part isn't at all underwritten. It isn't really until Act Two that she has her greatest moments in the show - which are brilliantly hysterical. She is so talented and perfect in this show, but I can't help but wish she had more to do.

Gregory Jbara - Very funny, very enjoyable, obviously talented. I don't have much to say about him as he was a very supporting role - but he provided some great moments and again, it's great to see him back onstage.

The score - It's so energetic, bright, new and fresh. It evokes certain sounds similar to THE FULL MONTY, but it's a completely different genre. It is so refreshing to hear such a great new score on Broadway - something I thought wouldn't come along this season after the mind-boggling scores of DRACULA, BROOKLYN, and LITTLE WOMEN. David Yazbek has surely made a successful, triumphant comeback to Broadway, and from the Overture on, every single musical number is crisp and solid, and just soaring. I would say it's the best, most solid score to appear since HAIRSPRAY - and it's very comforting to know that there are still composers out there who can actually succeed brilliantly with completely new material. The lyrics are wonderfully witty and hysterical, and actually fully service the plot and characters in the most satisying manner - again, something Broadway hasn't seen in a long, long time.

The book - Just wonderful, I don't have one criticism about this book at all. Nothing is said that doesn't need to be said, and they never try to be funny without completely succeeding. I was not surprised to see that Jeffrey Lane hasn't written for the stage before - I don't think I have ever seen such successful comic writing on Broadway before. It's not as if the show is funny in spots - it's hysterical nearly the entire two hours and 45 minutes - and it never gets tired.

The direction - It's Jack O'Brien. I don't think I need to say anything else....he's the master of his craft.

The set is decent - very nice to look at. However, everything is very flat and "traditional" - and I'm sure looks much better from farther back. I was in the front row, so didn't have the advantage of seeing the set as it should be seen from a different perspective.

The choreography is decent as well. It's not Jerry Mitchell's best work, but it's surely not his worst. This show just doesn't require large dance numbers, although there are a couple, the choreography is rather pedestrian and cliched, but it works just fine.

It really is so comforting to see something this great back on Broadway, and to see a real comedy again. I have been so disappointed lately with what some consider "comedy" on Broadway, that I had basically lost hope in ever enjoying something lighthearted and fun again - but DRS has absolutely nixed my hesitations and has provided me with a new respect and admiration for the art form - yes, art form - that is musical comedy.

****line spoiler****

My favorite line in the show:

"The Bush's from Tex
were nervous wrecks
because their son was dim...
but look what happened to him!"

And that's only the beginning...

[zippyjen]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:38am

I am so happy that you enjoyed the show. I also was pleasently surprised. Oh and i love that quote as well!

[TGIF]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:42am

I am so glad you liked this show. I am very excited about it and will probably see it in the first week of March. I was depressed when I realized the only *new* shows (to Broadway- not to me) I have see this season were Brooklyn and Dracula. (I later remembered Pacific Overtures, then was depressed that I forgot about it ).

Anyway, wonderful review - such stellar cast and from the looks of it they have great material to work with.

[liotte]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:46am

Nice review, I was there tonight as well for my second viewing of the show. First time was with lottery, so that was front row, today was mid mezz, definitely the set looked better from farther away. I agree on the cast comments, great job all around!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:47am

WOW - munkustrap178 I think this may be one of the only things you and I have agreed on in quite sometime. I don't normally post everytime I agree or disagree w/somebody, but I just have to say - AGREED 100% - DRS is the Show the Could & HOPEFLLY will succed on BWAY this year. Now all we need is the cricts to weigh in and damn the first one of them who says an ill word, especially about Norberts performance. For if they do, they can eat their words all the way to Radio City on Tony night.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:48am

Nice review.

I think Joanna looks hot for ANY age, though

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:50am

La Cage - I don't think this show will have a problem with reviews. I'm usually pretty right as far as predicting what critics will say when I see a show in previews, and I think this show will get rave reviews. I'm also counting on Norbert to win the Tony...but again, I've yet to see Spamalot.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 12:57am

YAY!!!

I love this show too much for my own good. You hit everything I thought about Norbert on the head. He's brilliant.

Glad you could get Brooklyn out of your system with this one.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:09am

Can single songs be nominated for a Tony? (I'm well aware the answer is no). "All About Ruprect" deserves its own award.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:16am

It absolutely does. I still laugh about Ruprecht, and it's been almost two weeks.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:19am

Would it give away too much of the show for them to do that at the Tony Awards?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:22am

I don't think so; I think if anything, it would confuse people in the sense that they'd just have to idea what the point of it is. Even if they figured out that Freddy was only pretending to be the brother, that's not really too much of a spoiler, since the show is obviously about con artists.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 1:47am

I saw DRS about 12 days ago and thought it definitely is getting close, almost there. I don't know how much they've been changing during previews but I'm hoping it's the right stuff.

I was most impressed by Lithgow in the show, finding myself actually enjoying his singing. He's improved greatly in that department since SWEET SMELL and of course he is hilarious.

Norbert wowed me with just how funny he can be, and I thought that character was remarkably well written. Actually most of the main characters are very impressive in both book and execution. The music written for Norbert's character doesn't really let him use that wonderful instrument to much of its potential, but with a better-singing Lithgow in a better Lithgow vocal role, you don't need to offset him with a Brian d'Arcy James AND a Jack Noseworthy. hey, this may just be the birth of CHARACTER ACTOR NORBERT. he and Lithgow could very well be the next Broderick/Lane or Lewis/Martin.

my only real gripe, something that bugged me all the way home, is with Ms. Gleason. NOT with her performance, not entirely. don't get me wrong, I love me some Joanna Gleason and she is as gorgeous as ever! and dammit the gal still has "it". the problem is that there isn't all that much for her to do with "it", especially in ACT I. they made the character a bigger presence than in the film, but it makes you wonder if they did that because she's Joanna Gleason and Joanna Gleason must not be marginalized. far as I can tell, that's the only impact the character has on the show. every few scenes you go "hey, it's Joanna Gleason again! she seems bored."

Yazbeck writes good music, period. he wrote good music when he was with Rockapella (waaaaay back), he wrote a pretty fantastic score for THE FULL MONTY easily one of the best to come out of the '90s, and he wrote a good score here. I don't think DRS stands on its own as well as FULL MONTY, but it's still damn good. Best new overture I've heard in awhile, it's very Pink Panther. routinely strong music thoughout and a handful off really good songs, with the lyrics being the most consistently outstanding factor.

I really hope this show tidies up a nice amount by opening. it runs pretty long and might benefit from small cuts (or maybe it already has) not because I want to be critical, but because I hope it is a success. It certainly deserves to be.

And Norbert deserves a Tony nod. Then Lithgow should have his Tony for SWEET SMELL taken away so he can win for this role instead. then d'Arcy James would have the Tony he deserves and his website wouldn't down. But I suppose we're looking at a big SPAMALOT year. and what of Raul? so many people to pat on the back, they'd better get Jackman to host again!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 2:02am

I thought that Norbert soared LEAGUES above Lithgow - but both were perfect. I don't think Raul would be competition for any of them - the role isn't impressive and he just doesn't have good material to work with, however good he might be.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 2:55am

really need to see this show NOW! no mention of sara gettelfinger? i heard she had a show-stopping number but that the part is not big?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:22am

Her part is VERY small - smaller than I thought it was going to be. I wouldn't call her number showstopping, but it's very well done.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 6:59am

Broadway Matt, I totally agree with your comments on John Lithgow. Some of my friends who had seen DRS before gave me some mixed reviews about John but I absolutely loved him in the part. Stage presence coming out of ears, very funny, great actor... I was very impressed.

I personally don't think it can be said that one is better than the other as this clearly is a two men show. Norbert (who is amazing) has the funnier material to work with but the two of them complement each other perfectly.
It's a real joy to watch them (plus the wonderful Sherie Rene) on stage together, you can just feel 'the love' between the three of them.

When I saw the show a few things went wrong (as to be expected in previews) but the three of them just made a joke about it, laughed it off and carried on (with John and Norbert occasionally not being able to look at each other without bursting out laughing).

I absolutely LOVED this show and really, really hope they get the Tonys and the good reviews they deserve and not totally lose out to the very promising Spamalot which would be a real shame.

I, for one, would love to see both John and Norbert being nominated for their parts.

Can't wait to see it again!

QM

[complaintdept.]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 8:24am

These reviews are very exciting. We see the show on 3/22. Would you recommend seeing the movie beforehand? Or should I let the musical tell the story? (I saw the movie once, but it was more than 10 years ago, and I barely remember it.)

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 9:48am

I'd go in without seeing the movie again. I've never seen it, and REALLY enjoyed following the story through music. I have the movie on my Netflix list to watch this weekend, though.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 11:40am

Yea, I would say don't watch the movie beforeheand.

[miguelito]

Posted: 2/22/05 at 9:33am

We saw this on Saturday afternoon, and had a GREAT time! I have to agree with the statements about John Lithgow made by the other posters. I was somewhat disappointed when I heard he was in this, based on "Sweet Smell of Success". BUT, he was wonderful in this show! I could continue to gush about the rest of the cast, but let's just suffice it say that I enjoyed every minute of the time we spent.

I hope this one holds up against Spamalot (which we see next week)...

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/22/05 at 10:09am

I'm so glad to hear all these positive reviews!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 2/22/05 at 10:24am

I'll just chime in and say that I enjoyed it too. Norbert really stole the show. Loved him licking Lithgow's face.

My only concerns were that a) the show feels cold and distant at times (I think it's just inherent in the material, and the luxurious posh setting), and b) I found the ending predictable. I'm not familiar with the movie, but you could see the plot twist a mile away.

Still, I enjoyed it. I loved the metatheatrical references ("Oh my God, the thing turns!"). Not only were they hilarious, but these self-conscious digs were a nice way of emphasizing that the audience is being conned too, by the illusion of theatre.

Updated On: 2/22/05 at 10:24 AM

[timote316]

Posted: 2/22/05 at 12:53pm

Very nice review. Glad you liked it!

[onceadancer2]

Posted: 2/22/05 at 12:58pm

Wonderful review. I hope I'll see it when I'm in New York. Butz sounds like a throwback to all those wonderful performers who were such a staple of my performing days. Now if this was 50 years ago I would have wanted to see Butz and Shirley Booth together in a musical.

Miriam