The musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek, is not the movie of the same name, so don't expect to root for the older, more suave con man, played by John Lithgow, as we did for Michael Caine. This show tilts the other way - we root for the intruder Freddy, performed brilliantly by Norbert Leo Butz. Lithgow's Jameson is a smarmy wise-ass of a roue; Butz is the comic everyman, and his absurd portrayal of Lithgow's demented brother is so hilarious, it will probably win him the Tony. He's a strong melodic singer with great comic timing and star presence. He lets it all hang out, and the audience loves him. Lithgow is not really a singer, but he neatly pulls off his role and certainly fills the stage with his presence. Even though he is performing rather than acting, he's lots of fun.
Leading lady Sherie Rene Scott is a real singer - her voice is wide open, her acting is fine, and the rest of the cast, Joanna Gleason, Gregory Ybara and Sara Gettelfinger are top-level Broadway performers, and they beautifully complete this well-directed (by Jack O'Brien), choreographed (by Jerry Mitchell) and designed (very active set by David Rockwell, costumes by Gregg Barnes) show, which, with a chorus dancing at every excuse and some very funny jokes, is a lively, very enjoyable Broadway entertainment.
