Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has changed its preview and opening dates at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, bowing two weeks earlier than previously announced. The new musical directed by Jack O'Brien will begin previews Jan. 31, 2005 and open March 3, a spokesman confirmed. The original preview and opening dates were Feb. 14 and March 17, 2005.
John Lithgow and Norbert Leo Butz are the title characters in the film-inspired new show that has a book by Jeffrey Lane (TV's "Mad About You") and music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Full Monty).
The fall tryout at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego plays Sept. 15-Oct. 24 (with an extension to Nov. 7 expected). Opening in California is Sept. 22.
Tickets for the San Diego run go on sale 10 AM (PT) Aug. 29. Tickets can be purchased by calling Globe Ticket Services at (619) 23-GLOBE, by visiting the Globe Box Office in Balboa Park, or online at www.TheOldGlobe.org.
Normal box office hours begin at noon, "but in anticipation of strong demand for this exciting production, the Globe is opening two hours early." An on-sale date for the Broadway run has not been announced.
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The production also stars Gregory Jbara, Joanna Gleason, Sara Gettelfinger and Sheri Rene Scott, with Timothy J. Alex, Andrew Asnes, Roxane Barlow, Joe Cassidy, Julie Conners, Rachel deBenedet, Laura Marie Duncan, Sally Mae Dunn, Rick Faugno, Tom Galantich, Jason Gillman, Greg Graham, Amy Heggins, Grason Kingsberry, Rachelle Rak and Tony Yazbeck.
Director O'Brien reunites with his Full Monty and Hairspray choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
Here's how producers are describing the show: "Based on the popular 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on two con men living in the French Riviera. The first is suave and sophisticated con artist Lawrence Jameson (Lithgow). The other, a small-time crook named Freddy Benson (Butz), more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate (Scott), wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues, bringing out the best and worst in each man, along with a fun, unexpected twist that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end."
Tony and Emmy Award winner John Lithgow plays the role of Lawrence Jameson (Michael Caine in the movie) and Norbert Leo Butz is Freddy Benson (played by Steve Martin in the picture).
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O'Brien (The Invention of Love) and Mitchell (Never Gonna Dance, Broadway Bares) also teamed on Broadway's Imaginary Friends.
Yazbek was Tony-nommed for the score to The Full Monty.
The creative team for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels includes David Rockwell (scenic designer), Gregg Barnes (costume designer), Kenneth Posner (lighting designer), Acme Sound Partners (sound), Ted Sperling (music director), Zane Mark (dance music), Harold Wheeler (orchestrations).
The Broadway producers are West Egg Entertainment, Producers 4, David Brown, Roy Furman, Amanda Lipitz, Jay Harris, Chase Mishkin, Ruth Hendel, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, Scott Prisand, Debra Black, Clear Channel Entertainment and Harvey Weinstein. The executive producers are Marty Bell and Aldo Scrofani. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is produced by arrangement with MGM On Stage.
