Getting Scammed the Old-Fashioned Way
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Women of a certain age are regularly being warned about online scams. I guess I’ve reached that certain age, because over the past months, I’ve been getting Facebook friend requests from men who love what I’m saying on my posts. His Facebook page features a photo of a handsome, tanned face, with a full head of silver, wavy hair. Often, his photos show he is a General in the US Army, now retired and living in Florida in a gorgeous waterfront mansion with a big yacht docked out front. Me, I go Block, Delete.
Sadly, many forlorn women answer these messages and then their dreamy guy asks them for a little money to get through a rough patch. Then they need a little more to buy a plane ticket to come for a visit. And soon, the lonely widow’s life savings are gone, and so is he.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels which opened Thursday at Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre is perhaps the prequel to today’s scam artists. But unlike today’s sad stories, this lively musical thrives on comedy, especially when the scam artists themselves get taken.
It’s the story of Lawrence Jameson, a con-artist who works the upscale resorts of the French Riviera. He is suave and debonair, attracting all the rich widows and young debutantes who turn over their jewellery and fortunes to him. But along comes a small-time grifter, Freddy Benson, who is swindling for meals. Freddy wants Lawrence to teach him the ropes, and the two become partners and then competitors in various scams. There is a special surprise ending that really pleases the audience, as the swindles unfold.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a hilarious romp. I know that’s a cliché, but it’s the best way to describe it. The laughs are created in three ways: There are big-picture funny situations unfolding constantly, there are word-play jokes tucked into the dialogue, and the cast members are all excellent comedic actors. Emphasis on ALL.
Director Tracy Flye has created a fast action show, which moves quickly from laugh to laugh, taking full advantage of her very talented cast. She also breaks down the 4th wall, acknowledging the audience with a few inside jokes: a Stratford Festival usher comes up to the front and entertains, or a character goes and sits in a box with surprised patrons.
Jonathan Goad is perfect as the sophisticated fraudster Lawrence, so charming that the ladies don’t even mind being swindled. As Goad explains in the song “Give Them What They Want”, he is just providing a service to the single women at the resorts.
Liam Tobin has personality galore as Freddy, the small-time grifter who wants to expand his skills and learn from Lawrence. Tobin singing about all the “Great Big Stuff” he covets, sets the tone early in the first act. Shakura Dickson shines in an excellent performance as Christine Colgate, the soap heiress.
Derek Kwan as the corrupt police inspector Andre Thibault offers lots of laughs, sometimes with just a look, while Sara-Jeanne Hosie is hilarious as the ditsy but wealthy Muriel. The younger audience members may not laugh when Muriel of Omaha says “It’s mutual,” but the more mature did. Michelle Schuster is outrageously funny as Jolene, the girl from Oklahoma looking for a good time.
The dancers are just as lively as they were in their performance in Annie, and appear to be having just as much fun. Kudos for their high energy.
This musical has great fun touching on other musicals. When Lawrence decides to mentor Freddy, he becomes Henry Higgins fixing up Eliza in My Fair Lady. Later, we relive Oklahoma! with a team of sparkling, dancing cowboys.
A word of warning – in certain parts, the Scoundrels can be a little vulgar. If you are easily offended, leave your prude’s hat at home and let your hair down. Also, get a babysitter for the kids, unless you want them telling their teacher that they want to keep their farts in a Mason jar, just like Ruprecht.
But if you are looking for a laugh-out-loud good time, spend an evening with these dirty, rotten scoundrels! Your face will hurt from smiling.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels continues in repertory until October 25 at the Avon Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival at 1-800-567-1600, or check www.stratfordfestival.ca
Photo: Jonathan Goad as Lawrence Jameson and Liam Tobin as Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Stratford Festival 2025. Photo by David Hou.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Book by Jeffrey Lane
Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek
Based on the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning
Directed by Tracy Flye
Choreography by Stephanie Graham
Musical Direction by Franklin Brasz
Performed by Shakura Dickson, Jonathan Goad, Liam Tobin, Sara-Jeanne Hoise, Derek Kwan, Michele Shuster, Stephen Patterson et al
Avon Theatre, Stratford
May 3 to October 25, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson