The actors and production crew of the Evergreen Playhouse in Centralia began performances this weekend of the musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” based on the classic 1988 comedy film of the same name starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine and Glenne Headly, and directed by Frank Oz.
“Welcome to the glamorous, decadent world of the French Riviera circa 1988,” Kathy Dorgan said in the play program’s director’s note. “Get ready to be seduced, swindled and swept off your feet by a couple of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!”
The film found its way to Broadway in 2005, with the script written by Jeffery Lane and music and lyrics composed by David Yazbek.
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels pairs two completely opposite con men who become locked in a battle of egos featuring absurd disguises, farce, and relentless twists. And yet, for all its joy and hilarity, it strikes a chord with modern times. Because in a world built on lies and manipulation, nothing — and no one — is quite what they seem,” Dorgan said in the director’s note. “We live in an era consumed by curated personas, social media filters and questions of digital trustworthiness. In a world where we constantly ask ourselves, ‘what is real and what is fake?’ Dirty Rotten Scoundrels invites us to step back and laugh at the absurdity of deception, using comedy to show how easily we can be blinded by charm.”
The musical’s cast includes:
• Seth MacNeely as Lawrence
• Matthew Michael as Andre
• Karen Longo as Muriel
• Kameron Bustetter as Freddy
• Emma Sorensen as Christine
• Sophie Bustetter as Jolene and an ensemble member
• Amanda Bronkema as an ensemble member
• Kaiah Costa as an ensemble member
• Jeff Eisel as an ensemble member
• Tanner Huntting as an ensemble member
• Michelle Koenen as an ensemble member
• Dave Marsh as an ensemble member
Joining Dorgan on the production crew are Stephanie Layton, Amanda Bronkema, Danielle Kays, Lucy Wilcox, Alene Stewart, Carolyn Skye, Jennifer Wallace, Emilie Brown, Mark Pendleton, Brian Hollander, Magdalena Burgman, Cora Dailey and Eliza Conner.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, June 12, 19 and 26, and Saturdays, June 13, 20 and 27. Sunday matinee performances on June 14, 21 and 28 begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors.
A special “pay what you can” performance will also be held on Thursday, June 18, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Evergreen Playhouse is located at 226 W. Center St. in Centralia.
To purchase tickets or reserve a seat at the “pay what you can” performance, visit Evergreen Playhouse’s website at https://tinyurl.com/fdrbnyj4.
Sponsors of the Evergreen Playhouse include Rectangle Gallery & Creative Space, Hubbub, Book ’n’ Brush, Bob Holland Insurance, Thunder Autosound, Access Security Inc., Affordable Lawn Care, D Best Adventures, Designs by Danielle, Dick’s Brewing Company, O’Blarney’s at the Gibson House, Olympia Little Theater and PostNet Centralia.
For more information, visit Evergreen Playhouse’s website at https://evergreenplayhouse.com/.
