Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - quick 1st night review included- Page 2
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - quick 1st night review included
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#25re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:40am
I wouldn't say it's full of obscentities, nor is it particularly crude, but it's definitely not for young kids. There's a whole scene in particular that completely alienated the older couple sitting next to me (though they didn't appear to find anything all that funny). The audience basically laughed the ENTIRE TIME. And rightfully so, given how hilarious it is. Even the lyrics to the songs are funny. My main issue with it was the lack of balance in terms of the characters. Yeah, there are stars, but according to billing there are five. By watching the show, there are three, but particularly, there is one, and that is Norbert Leo Butz. The stage is most alive when he is on it, and his character is by far the most entertaining (and as far as amusing goes, Joanna Gleason's is next). I found John Lithgow to be boring (as I did in Sweet Smell of Success), Sara Gettlefinger to be very underutilized (she's onstage for about twenty minutes, maybe a little longer) and both Gregory Jbara and Joanna Gleason's characters to be exactly what they are. Secondary and hardly necessary to the main plot, making them seem almost pointless. Norbert definitely shines, and Sherie Rene Scott is a nice presence and fits the role very well. It was great to hear them sing together again!
I did like it a LOT though, and like someone else said, I don't see much changing, as it seems practically done (as is what you get with an out of town try out). It didn't impress me as much as I thought it would, but I enjoyed it very much, and hope to see it again in the near future.
Updated On: 2/1/05 at 09:40 AM
#26re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 10:54am
The people all around me were laughing a LOT, especially the college age looking students in the front row. There was no hesitation for the standing O at the end, starting when Johanna Gleason and the guy who played the French policeman (forgot his name) took her bows just before Mr Butz and Mr Lithgow came out.
I agree that it livened up quite a bit with Mr. Butz's first big number, but John Lithgow played the smooth sophisticated conman perfectly, in complete opposite to Mr. Butz, who was hilarious. Actually the whole cast was great, and the nice FULL orchestra was great too. Lots of sets moving around, great lighting, looked flawless. The lines in the songs were very funny, may have missed a tiny bit when the laughing in the audience drowned out a few words. There were lots of appropriate pauses for laughs though. I think it ended at almost 11:00 pm. The usher indicated the first act is 1 hour, I looked at my watch and it was almost 1 1/2 hrs. It did not drag at all though. I enjoyed this MUCH more than "Sweet Smell of Success" or "Retreat from Moscow" (both with John Lithgow)....
#27re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 11:15amSeeing it on Thursday! SO excited!!!!!!!!!
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#30re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 12:43pm
The other understudies are:
For Andre (Greg Jbara)-Joe Cassidy, Michael Paternostro
For Lawrence (John Lithgow)-Tom Galantich
For Muriel (Joanna Gleason)-Rachel DeBenedet, Laura Marie Duncan
For Freddy (Norbert Leo Butz)-Joe Cassidy, Jason Gillman, Michael Paternostro
For Jolene (Sara Gettelfinger)-Julie Connors, Rachelle Rak
For Christine (Sherie Scott)-Laura Marie Duncan, Gina Lamparella
#31re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 1:36pm
For Lawrence (John Lithgow)-Tom Galantich
actually,
Nick Wyman is Standby for John Lithgow - I guess that's higher up than understudy?
#32re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 1:39pm
Yes, a standby is higher than an understudy.
I didn't mention Nick Wyman because he was already mentioned as JL's understudy in previous posts.
I saw "DRS" last night as well, and gave it a 4 star review on my own thread.
La Vie Boheme
Leading Actor Joined: 1/7/05
#33re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 2:59pm
To anyone who saw it...
Who was your favorite actor/character in the show?
#34re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:03pmFor me, it was Sherie Rene Scott as Christine Colgate.
#36re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:10pmI almost wet myself during "Love Is My Legs".
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#38re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:25pm
GREAT LINE:
ANDRE(GJ): What's your name?
MURIEL(JG): I'm Muriel...of Omaha.
ANDRE: I think that I like you.
MURIEL: The feeling is mutual.
This whole show was a scream.
#39re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:32pmwell, and the brilliant way Gleason trusts the material. She's so subtle--she never forces a joke. She never has to. She delivers those lines without any tongue in cheek--and it's even more of a scream.
#40re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:32pm
For those who saw it.
was Sherie's part big enough for a Best Actress nod?
I'm glad to hear the show is great!
#41re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:36pm
I think that she should be considered Best Actress, and she should win. She really was spectacular.
jrb, I couldn't have said it better myself. She has always been so subtle. I love that about her.
Leave your bags behind.
I can't, they're Louis Vuitton.
#42re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:38pmI'm going to bet they put her in Best Actress--which I agree with. They should put Ms. Gleason in Featured.
#43re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:41pm
John and Norbert are definitely Best Actor.
Sherie should be Best Actress.
Gregory, Joanna, and Sara are all Featured, in my opinion.
GirlfriendFromCanada
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
#44re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:41pmWhat's going to be interesting is how Butz and Lithgow are handled, especially among Curry, possibly Esparza and who knows who else possibly up for Best Actor this season.
#45re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:44pmI'm almost certain that they will both be nominated, esp. if the show gets good reviews, which I expect it will.
#46re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:47pmI'm sorry, but this is Butz time to shine. I really think he will get the Best Actor award, the reviews for him are STELLAR.
#47re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:51pmNo offense to Mr. Lithgow, but Butz deserves the Tony.
#48re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:51pmHe was terrific, and the audience loved him. His entrance applause was just as enthusiastic as Lithgow's. Mr. Lithgow is in top form, also, though.
#49re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Posted: 2/1/05 at 3:53pmGoing to see it a bit lateron this month!! Just can't wait!
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