Dirty Rotten Fun

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a hoot. Of course I'm talking about the stage version visiting Spokane this week. Beyond the cute plot ("My Fair Scumbag"?) and the why-am-I-laughing-this-is-soooooo-gross moments, there is a lot to like about this production. Jeff Essex is completely charming as Andre. The ensemble is extremely strong, and each lead has at least one fabulous moment.

And now for something no other theater blogger or reviewer will touch on because it's such a theater geek thing. This production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a must-see for every director and would-be director in town for one simple element: the scene changes. I swear I wanted to applaud the ensemble for their well-timed, entertaining execution of an excellently-choreographed and interesting transition. In my big-mouthed opinion, THAT is what a scene change is about. It's a mini-show in itself, with singing (okay, they're do-do-do-ing, but it sounds GREAT) and characterizations (I loved the gossiping maids) while moving set pieces.

Not to say that it's a brand-new thing to area theaters. Specifically, Kathy Doyle-Lipe used the same idea in the Spokane Children's Theatre staging of Pinocchio several years ago that won a place at the national community theater awards (AACT). Which goes to show that a fabulously-thought out transition from one scene to another can do more than keep an audience totally engaged in the production. It can enhance the overall show to the point where it becomes one of the best things the audience has seen in a while. Kudos to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.