re: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Tour Review 12/3/06

[James885]

Posted: 12/3/06 at 10:58pm

After months of anticipation and last minute re-scheduling, I finally saw the touring production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Hippodrome theatre in Baltimore this evening. I've been looking forward to seeing this ever since I found out it was coming to Baltimore a while back. Tonight's performance was the last show that the tour played in Baltimore. Since I have the OBCR, I was already familiar with the story and the music.

We arrived at the theatre and took our seats in the upper balcony. I didn't have a problem with sighlines or anything, except for the fact that there's a railing that divides the lower and upper balconies that was partially blocking my lower view of the stage. Once the show started it wasn't much of a problem.

The first thing I noticed once the show started was the addition of the new opening number "The Only Game In Town". I read some of the other reviews on the board about this song, and it seems like a lot of people don't like it. Its different than Give Them What They Want, but I thought the jazzy melody was very catchy. This song does more to support the fact that Lawrence has no competition in Beaumont Sur Mer.

I have to say that this show is absolutly hilarious. Needless to say that David Yazbek's score is superb and Jeffery Lane's book is crammed full of witty jokes. The Ruprecht scene was probably my favorite scene in the whole show. Tom Hewitt and Timothy Gulan have such great chemisty together and they looked like they were having the time of their lives. The "Bushes of Tex" line got roaring approval from the audience. However "Dirty Rotten Number" got tremendous applause, so much that Tom and Timothy just sat there for a minute or so. While the applause was still going on, Timothy raised his glass like he was giving a toast and then winked at the audience.

The cast is extremely strong and everyone had tons of engery, especially the ensemble. Tom Hewitt and Timothy Gulan were great as Lawrence and Freddy. Laura Marie Duncan was outstanding as Christine Colgate. Her renditions of "Here I Am" and "Nothing Is Too Wonderful to Be True" were good, although not quite as good as Sherie Rene Scott on the OBCR.

I love the fact that the show doesn't take itself too seriously. The moments where the actors broke the fourth wall and addressed the audience were hilarious (Lawrence: "Did I miss a scene?") and the part where Christine popped up from the orchestra pit and started conducting was outrageous.

The sets for the tour were good. Since I haven't seen the Broadway production I can't compare the sets, but they were very nice for a touring production, especially the hotel drop with all the gems in it. It's a shame that the physical production is going to be scaled down in a few weeks. I wonder if they'll get rid of the turntable and just have all the set pieces come in from the wings. I would love to see it after it's been downsized to compare.

Overall, this show is not one to be missed. It's a shame that it didn't sell very well in Baltimore because it really is brilliant. I certainly recommend it for anyone looking for good laughs at the theatre.

[sanda]

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

I saw the matinee show today as well.

After watching the show twice on Broadway with Nobert Leo Butz and Jonathan Pryce, I did not hold a very high expectation for the tour cast.

Tom Hewitt is very good. Unfortunately, he lacked the nature charm, the star quality that Pryce had in his own personality. Timothy Gulan is good as well, but Norbert Leo Butz is extraordinary. Freddy Benson will always belong to Norbert Leo Butz just like his name imbeded into this show.

This doesn't mean the tour is not good. Overall, I enjoyed it. The dancing essemble is not as solid as the broadway cast, but all the leading roles are very solid. I especially enjoyed Joan Oakes.
Updated On: 12/3/06 at 11:12 PM

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 12:04am

I saw the tour Saturday night in the front row(and previously saw the show twice on Broadway, with Norbert/John and Norbert/Jonathan). I really think it is fantastic.

The staging is identical to the Broadway production. I noticed no difference between the two. Although I miss Giving Them What They Want, I agree that The Only Game in Town does fit the plot much better.

Tom Hewitt is my favorite Jameson yet. He has an amazing voice, great wit, and I feel he is the perfect age for the part (John and Jonathan seemed too old for Jameson to me).

I think of Timothy Gulan as NLB-Lite. He is virtually identical in the acting and voice to Norbert, but not as over the top in the role.

Hollis Resnik is a delight as Muriel. She is the right mix of the qualities of the two previous actresses I have seen in the role (I loved Johanna Gleason's acting but not her singing, and the opposite about Lucie Arnaz).

Gregory Jbara will always be Andre to me. Drew McVety did nothing to change that with his performance.He is just not believeable as a fremchman, and only his chemistry with Hollis saves his performance.

Other than the shreik in Oklahoma (Sara Gettelfinger had one that I swear could break glass!), Jenifer Foote is a wonderful Jolene Oakes.

Many people are not going to like my opinion about Laura Marie Duncan, but I think she is a better Christine than Sherie Rene Scott. I never thought I would say that, but it is her imperfection that makes her better. Sherie is stunningly beautiful as Christine, and I don't think that character is supposed to be that perfect. Laura has a more down to earth look, and her singing is beautiful. She also works very well with Tom and Timothy.


I really had a great time, and I am glad to have seen this show before it's downsizing. I don't see how they are going to do that to this show and not ruin the magic it has.

Updated On: 12/4/06 at 12:04 AM

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 12:07am

I'm seeing it here in Miami on Saturday

Updated On: 12/8/06 at 12:07 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 1:48am

I saw the original cast on Broadway. I was not aware that Give Them What They Want has been replaced with a new song. While not my favorite musical, the show will be coming through Denver in our next season. I will not see it now if that song has been replaced. In my opinion, if I am seeing a show that has been on Broadway, I want to see the show that played in New York. Meaning the same song selections in the same order. Give Them What They Want is a fun song. Ashame they replaced it. Also, it is on the OBCR. The Only Game In Town is not on the OBCR, which I am sure they are selling at the shows. Give me what I want.....what I heard in New York! JMHO

Updated On: 12/4/06 at 01:48 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 3:26am

I was trying to see the tour in Baltimore, but it didn't work out. Ah well.

I'm so glad people are still enjoying this show.

[azeller]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:59am

I saw the matinee yesterday. A friend saw it earlier in the week and didnt like it at all. I saw the NY production 8x and thought this one was very good....not fantastic...but very good. Not a huge fan of "Andre." I really missed seeing Greg in that role. I thought Christine and Muriel were very good.

A few set changes were evident and apparently they will be much greater once the downsizing has occurred. I did not like the new opening song at all. I'm not sure why but I just didn't care for it.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 12:32pm

I love DRS. It's a part of my soul now. That sounds weird, but it's true. *lol* I hope to get to see the tour sometime after having seen the OBC twice. I'm sorry to hear such mixed things about it...

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:19pm

I'm seeing it in Miami tomorrow at 2pm

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 6:59pm

I have to leave so I don't have time for a review, just wanted to say the show was great!

3 people who really stood out:

Christine Colgate- played by Laura Duncan
Freddy Benson- played by Timothy Gulan

The theatre is HUGE and their voices projected so well! And, so much energy!

The whole cast really was great though!