There seems to be a pretty clear formula in play for San Jose Stage’s latest production, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” In the simplest terms, cast some of the Stage’s most seasoned performers, build around them some delightful complementary pieces and top it all off with fierce diva energy. And then, let the lot of them go buck wild.
The insanely wicked 2004 musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” based on the 1988 film of the same name starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, has plenty going for it, despite some rather thin material and characters that aren’t particularly developed. It is a production that fully leans into its irreverence and chaos, moving to its witty conclusion with plenty of giddiness and getup. The finely tuned Lawrence Jameson (Jonathan Rhys Williams) makes it clear he is not one to rummage around with the hoi polloi of French Riviera society, unless he is swindling them.
His con is of a much higher caliber, featuring a certain kind of flashy refinement. That is not the case for the base and vulgar American Freddy Benson (Keith Pinto), a fellow swindler who Lawrence enlists to help him get future bride Jolene Oakes (Hayley Lovgren) to two-step out of his life. This task isn’t easy due to the gun she’s pointing at Lawrence’s head, which complicates things a tad.
The alliance is short-lived, due to the competitive arrogance of each man. While the town may not be big enough for the both of ‘em, each agrees to attempt a $50,000 swindle on a b.
