Classic tale of conniving con-men plays The Fox next week

The National Tour of the scamming, scheming, double-crossing hit Broadway musical, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," is coming to Atlanta for a special engagement at The Fox Theatre from October 31 to November 5 presented by Broadway Across America – Atlanta.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" reunites David Yazbek (music and lyrics) with Tony Award winners Jack O’Brien (direction) and Jerry Mitchell (choreography), the Tony-nominated team behind “The Full Monty.” The raucous new musical comedy show features a book by Jeffrey Lane that keeps audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the very end.

Based on the popular 1988 MGM film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" centers on two con men living on the French Riviera – the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money; and a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, who, more humbly, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health. After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. So they make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a young heiress, triumphs and the other must leave town. What follows are a series of schemes, masquerades and double-crosses in which nothing may ever be exactly what it seems.

Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt will play the suave and sophisticated con man, Lawrence Jameson, in the Atlanta production of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Hewitt has appeared on Broadway as the title role in “Dracula, The Musical,” as Frank N. Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” (for which he was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk awards), and as Scar in “The Lion King.” He has toured as Officer Lockstock in the National tour of “Urinetown.” His television and film credits include roles on “Law and Order,” “Third Watch,” “Frasier,” “The George Carlin Show,” narration for The Discovery Channel and Julie Taymor’s “Fool’s Fire.”

Timothy Gulan will co-star in the Atlanta engagement as Bensen. Gulan has appeared on Broadway in “The Lion King” and “Blood Brothers.” He originated the Jerry/Daphne role in the touring production of “Some Like It Hot” and also toured with “Les Misérables,” “Carousel,” “Picasso at the Lapine Agile” and “Falsettos.” Gulan’s film experience includes “Vaillante” and “Ice Age.”

Other casting includes Laura Marie Duncan as Christine Colgate; Hollis Resnik as Muriel; Drew McVety as Andre; and Jenifer Foote as Jolene. The ensemble includes Todd Anderson, Tim Craskey, Beth Curry, Christopher DeAngelis, Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, Christopher Freeman, Rod Harrelson, Ken Krugman, Juliana Laufer, Emily Loftiss, Natalie Nucci, Jim Osorno, Martin Samuel, Kim Shriver, Sarrah Strimel, Francis Toumbakaris, and Nicole Van Giesen.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" opened on Broadway in March 2005 to rave reviews. "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" was awarded 11 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. The musical had its world premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in September 2004.

Tickets for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" range in price from $20 to $61 and are currently available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 404-817-8700 or in person at The Fox Theatre box office. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster outlets. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.

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