Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Review (March 12, 2005 - 2:00 pm)

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 10:48pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

March 12, 2005
2:00 pm Matinée
Review

Once in a while a show comes to Broadway that leaves you saying, "I want a third act!" Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is one such show!

David Yazbek and Jack O'Brien have done it again! The score is amazing, very fun and very uplifting. Even the "slower" songs were fun! The lyrics were all very clever and the book was great. It is nice to see a show with an actual BOOK, instead of whatever other Broadway shows use.

When you first walk in, the curtain sets the mood. It is a beautifully peaceful blue curtain with the trademark sun-palm tree. The lighting on the curtain (and throughout the show) was great. The sets, as well, were awesome. I don't think I have one complaint about the show - other than being depressed being in the Imperial - I haven't been there since I saw Les Mis...

The staging and book of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, I thought, was better than The Full Monty. The score, however, was as enjoyable. When I left the theatre, I said that The Full Monty had the better score. Thinking about it now, it is hard to compare. DRS has more chorus numbers than TFM. In all, both scores are great!

"Give Them What They Want" - For those who said the opening scene was a mess....I don't see it. It was great - especially if you saw the movie. "Give Them What They Want" starts off the show perfectly. Of course, the show got better from there. In that respect, I suppose the opening number wasn't the best.

"What Was a Woman To Do?" and the Reprise is a great song. Joanna Gleason (Muriel Eubanks)is GREAT. She has a very beautiful voice. The reprise of the song is also great - and funny.

"Great Big Stuff" - by now, the audience has already been warmed up to John Lithgow (Lawrence Jameson), Grefory Jbara (Andre), and Joanna Gleason. When Lithgow and Gleason first appeared on stage (as did Sherie René Scott to a lesser extent), the audience cheered happily. When Norbert Leo Butz (Freddy Benson) first entered, there was not even a single clap. However, when Norbert finished the uplifting "Great Big Stiff" the audience was clapping and cheering loudly (I was half expecting a standing 'O'). The song itself isn't only clever, but Norbert is great!

"Chimp in a Suit" is a cute little song given to Andre (Jbara). How clever to rhyme "castle" with "Asshole!"

"Oklahoma?" - Sarah Gettelfinger (Jolene) was great! Sad it's her only song. The song was a lot of fun (especially the staging)!

"All About Ruprecht" - clearly the showstopper in Act I. Lithgow may have been singing, but all the attention was on Norbert. If it wasn't apparent after "Great Big Stuff," it was now - Norbert stole the show right out from under Lithgow's feet. Norbert definitely deserves a Tony.

"Here I Am" - Sherie's big moment to shine - and she does! From her first line, it is apparent she is having fun with the show. It is great to see her on the Broadway stage again! This number is fun and upbeat. It doesn't quite match "Great Big Stuff" or even "Give Them What They Want," but it was still fun.

"Nothing Is To Wonderful To Be True" - A great duet between Norbert and Sherie. It is great to see them working together (yet) again!

"The Miracle (Act One Finale)" - What a fun song (and, if you saw the movie, a great place to end Act One). By the end of this song you are left saying - MORE, MORE, MORE, DON'T END!

The "Overture" and "Entr'acte" were both GREAT! So much fun and so exciting. I usually get bored quickly during these orchestral moments. Not this afternoon!

"Rüffhousin' mit Shüffhausen" - Again, it was a lot of fun! Like many of the songs, however, a lot gets lost when you just listen to it. When you see it live, it is SO much better!

"Like Zis/Like Zat" and the Reprise- I just have to say that ANY song performed by Jbara and Gleason is great! This one as well. I am happy that the roles of Andre and Muriel "they may need me in Act Two" Eubanks) were expanded from the movie version.

"The More We Dance" - A very French Riviera, grandesque, much more fun version of "Dancing Through Life."

"Love Is My Legs" - Another great song for Norbert. Again, very funny, very nice song.

"Love Sneaks In" - Well, this was, I felt, the weakest song in the show. I guess it's because Lithgow doesn't have that great of a voice. The song wasn't horrible, but wasn't anything special. (Note: Lithgow's acting FAR outways his singing and makes him great in the role!)

"Son of Great Big Stuff" - Basically, it's a reprise of the former "Great Big Stiff." Again, the song is fun but lacks the big staging of the original. Of course, this works fine.

"The Reckoning" - By now, I was getting very upset because I could tell the show was ending. DON'T END! DON'T END! This song was fun and nice for the three male leads.

"Dirty Rotten Number" - Probably the most popular from the show. This is a great conclusion to a great show! It could not have been better. And for anyone who knows Yazbek's The Full Monty, don't expect the finale number to be the finale (with a longe 'e')!


In all, I think the show sums itself up the best, "It was a ball, it was a blast..."

[This review can be found in my blog.] Updated On: 3/12/05 at 10:48 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 10:51pm

Ok, I hope it is seperated in paragraphs as I intended.

Lately, BWW has been clumping everything together.

I HTML'ed so it should be seperated.
Updated On: 3/12/05 at 10:51 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 10:55pm

Sounds like you had an awesome time! Great review! I loved it when I saw it this past Wednesday. I can't wait for the OBCR!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 10:56pm

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:02pm

I can't wait for the CD either!!! HOW LONG, man, HOW LONG? JK

[sipos]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:06pm

Thank you

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:11pm

Gah, every review I read makes me so jealous I can't get to NYC to see this. So I must join in the demand for the cast recording to be released POSTHASTE.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:12pm

I am worried that if you do not see the show, the Cast Recoriding won't be as funny. Anyway, the music is great and the lyrics are funny. The acting is what does it!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:40pm

I think the Norbert cheer in the beginning will become more prevalent as word spreads(or I sorely hope). When I went, I was all ready to scream but then no one else did so I kinda froze and then I think one fan started and probably about 10 or so of us joined in, and seeing that I heard he didn't get the same recognition in the beginning, I was happy he got it that night.

[Madame X]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 12:47am

I was at today's (yesterday's) matinee too. I love Joanna Gleason and the audience was with her from the first moment she stepped on stage (she got entrance and exit applause). I found Norbert a bit over the top, but enjoyable nontheless. Great to see Sherie on stage finally as I never saw her in Aida. Helluva voice (duh).

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 12:52am

I saw it the Saturday after opening night; Lithgow and Gleason got nice entrance applause (Gleason's was boosted by some kid sitting in Row K, Gov something?), Butz got a few scattered claps, and Scott got nothing. Standing O at the end for the three leads (although that same damn kid stood for Joanna Gleason)...
Updated On: 3/13/05 at 12:52 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 1:05am

Madame X -

Did you ever see the movie?

[Madame X]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 1:26am

I did not. It was on Fri night, but I wanted the show to stand on its own in my mind (and not be spoiled), so I didn't watch it. I am curious to see the movie now...

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 1:29am

Great review!

Yeah, the first time I saw it, I was the only one clapping at Norbert's first appearance. And I clapped loudly and proudly.

The second time I saw it, there were about 6 people in the whole theater clapping.

I intend to see the show again after Norbert wins his Tony, and see the whole theater applaud wildly for him.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 1:31am

I intend to see it again, too!

Well, for the movie, Steve MArtin was outrageous - Norbert moreso...

[wendy72]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 2:45am

BoSwb--I saw the show on Tuesday and it was exactly the same--entrance applause for Lithgow and Gleason, not for the rest. I think this will change as the production goes on, especially for Norbert--he was so smooth, polished and engaging in his performance. And what a voice--as Brantley said he is the "real deal."

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 7:27am

I'm shocked that Norbert didn't get any entrance applause. When I saw the show (first preview 1/31), he got a rousing welcome from the audience.

[QtKt]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 9:43am

BSoBW2~ I was at the same performance!
Loved your review... Norbert was just incredible, definately Tony material..
The movie is quite funny as well, it was a favorite of my fathers so i've seen it a bunch of times. They did a great job staying true to the story and I just absolutely adore DRS (saw it Wednesday night and then i had to go again Saturday matinee!)

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 10:08am

wendy-you were there this past tuesday? so was I. I thought Norbert got applause, I know I clapped but maybe I am not remembering things correctly.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 10:23am

I know I applauded when Norbert came out on stage!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 10:31am

I can't wait to see it! At first, when I found out they switched from seeing La Cage to DRS, I was like, "huh?". I didn't really think DRS would be a show that I would like to see...now I am definitely looking forward to it. Thanks for the reviews!

Oh, by the way, they are recording in a few days, so the cast recording may be out in May!

[wendy72]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 11:02am

Marin, I am almost positive he did not get entrance applause...when I saw him in "Wicked" he did!

Wished I had been sitting closer--to see his facial expressions when he was getting "whacked".

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 11:17am

Both times I've been to DRS, Norbert got entrance applause.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 12:18pm

wendy-where were you sitting?

[wendy72]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 12:38pm

Row R--Center Orch--aisle, 101 and 102. You?