‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ con Auditorium

Beware of the dirty and the rotten tonight and Wednesday as audiences laugh and roar at the comedy musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the IU Auditorium.

The two main characters, Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson, are con artists who set sail to the French Riviera. Their only goal in this paradise is to find some rich and beautiful women with whom they can share the wealth.

Soon enough, however, the two men realize they got a lot more than they bargained for, packing the musical full of comedy and wit.

The musical is based on the 1988 movie starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. It premiered on Broadway in 2005 and ran for a year.

Songs such as “Like Zis/ Like Zat” and “The Only Game in Town” are some of the many musical numbers.

The musical was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and 11 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical.

“The entire show, from start to finish, is a huge laugh,” said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium.

This is the first time the musical has come to IU, Booher said. The musical is hot off Broadway where the cast performed about 700 shows before taking it on the road, he said.

“It caught a lot attention that a lot of people have fallen in love with,” Booher said.
With the weather turning gray, Booher said, it would be good to take some time and watch a hilarious musical.

People who enjoy the movie should definitely come out and see the stage version, said Maria Talbert, events manager at the Auditorium.

Residential Programs and Services and B97 have both had ticket give-away contests for the show, Talbert said, and Classic Touch Limousine Service Inc., one of the show’s sponsors, will be providing limo rides to the show.

It gives an extra special treat for some of the guests, Talbert said.

The show begins at 8 p.m., and ticket prices start at $19 for students and $37 for the general public.