HCT Presents "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"


HCT To Present Theatrical version of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”

Musical Comedy, Based on Popular 1988 Film, to Feature Ultra-glamorous Costumes, Comedic Choreography and Transforming Sets

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (May 25, 2011) — Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s premiere family theatre, will present “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” June 7 through July 23. The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical will feature decadent costumes, comedic choreography and a cosmopolitan HCT set that transforms as the plotline progresses.

HCT master set designer Kacey Udy collaborated with director David Tinney to create a set that appears sparkly and extravagant. Though opulent, the set at the beginning of the show has a sparse feel to mirror both the polished façade and the empty heart of main character Lawrence Jameson. As Jameson builds relationships and the story progresses, the HCT set takes on more dimension and color.

The cast is at home amidst the elegant sets with modern costumes showcasing the glamorous life of privilege on the French Riviera. With multiple costume changes throughout the musical, the characters parade a myriad of vibrant, yacht-worthy styles.

Tinney, who also choreographed the show, worked to ensure the dancing highlights the show’s comedy. During one western-style musical number, the pace of dancing triples when the ensemble cast joins the lead characters. The result is a high-energy, boot-stomping dance spectacle.

Set in a small town in southern France, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” follows the story of two scammers. One con man is a cultivated, suave gentleman who scams rich ladies out of their money. The other is a small-time American thief who cons women by conjuring up stories of his sick grandmother. When their competing scams become too much for the small town, the duo agrees to a winner-takes-all challenge — the first person to successfully steal $50,000 from a young heiress can remain in the town and continue his thievery. The loser must leave.

Based on the 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the musical comedy version of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” made its Broadway debut in 2005. John Lithgow and Norbert Leo Butz, who earned a Tony Award for his role, headlined the show on Broadway. With music and lyrics by David Yazbek, the show earned 11 Tony nominations and 10 Drama Desk nominations.

HCT’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is directed and choreographed by Tinney with musical direction by Kelly DeHaan. The show stars Mark Knowles and David Tinney as Lawrence Jameson; Angela Jeffries and Delaney Westfall as Christine Colgate; Kyle Olsen and Darick Pead as Sergeant Freddy “Buzz” Benson; Emily Bell and Debra Weed as Jolene Oaks; Sharon Kenison and Elizabeth Summerhays as Muriel Eubanks; and Bruce Bredeson and Jeffrey Whitlock as Inspector Andre Thiabault. The musical features costume design by Tamara Clayton assisted by Kristy Draper; hair and makeup design by Cynthia Johnson; technical direction and scenic design by Udy; lighting design by Spencer Brown; and assistant technical direction and sound design by Dan Morgan

Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinées each Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and occasional weekdays at 4 p.m. (no performances July 4). Ticket prices for Monday through Thursday evenings and matinees are $24 per adult and $15 per child (5-11 years); for Friday and Saturday evening shows tickets are $26 per adult and $16 per child (5-11 years). Tickets may be purchased online at www.halecentretheatre.org, via telephone at 801-984-9000 or at the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah.

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Media Contact:
Becky Wickstrom
(801) 481-9482
bwickstrom@intrepidagency.com

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