Butz and John Lithgow respectively play the rough and refined title characters in the new musical based on the film. Butz took home a Best Actor (Musical) Tony for his work as crude Freddy, who glories in attainable "Great Big Stuff" by any means possible. In one memorable scene in which the disguised grifters try to turn off a clinging sucker, Butz plays Ruprecht, the foul, scatalogy-loving brother of a nobleman played by Lithgow.

Lithgow (Sweet Smell of Success) is exiting the show in January, likely to be replaced by Jonathan Pryce.

Upon re-signing his contract, Butz said, "To do this show is nothing less than a dream. And I just don't want to wake up yet."

The musical by Jeffrey Lane and David Yazbek opened on Broadway March 3, 2005. Butz won the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award (Best Performance - Actor in a Musical); the Astaire Award (Male Dancer of the Year); and the Drama League Award (Outstanding Performance of the Year).

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels also stars Sherie Rene Scott, Joanna Gleason, Gregory Jbara and Sara Gettelfinger. The production is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.