The Critics Agree: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Should Not Be Missed!

June 15, 2010 - PRLog -- John Farrell of The Daily Breeze/Long Beach Press Telegram starts his review saying "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, at San Pedro's Warner Grand Theatre through this weekend, is a light and airy confection, a mixture of pleasant tunes, plenty of winning dance numbers and just enough tongue-in-cheek villainy to make the confection a delicious delight.”

“It's a production of The Relevant Stage, perhaps their most audacious to date, using a cleverly built set (by Phil Buono) that fills the stage and is quickly changed, and a large cast that includes a good number of young dancers and enough talent to carry any musical comedy.”

“You are warned: Miss this delightful musical at your peril. Three performances remain, and there's not likely to be as much fun again anywhere this summer.”  “It stars Ray Buffer as the sophisticated con man Lawrence Jameson and Kenny Taylor as Freddy Benson, the very-rough-edged newcomer.” “Soon, though, they decide to make a bet: winner take all, loser leavestown. And they both set their sights on the beautiful heiress Christine Colgate (played with an effortless elegance by Michelle Zelina).”

Steven Stanley of Stage Scene LA.com states, “The Relevant Stage founder and producing artistic director Ray Buffer has cast himself as Lawrence, a part that fits him to a T.  The burly six-footer has a great look for the role, a fine singing voice, and excellent comic timing.”  While John Farrell for The Daily Breeze says “Buffer, in an elegant white suit and purple shirt, his hair cut short and dyed blond for the performance, is every bit the elegant
thief as Lawrence.”

Stanley adds, “A mostly excellent Kenny Taylor is at his best when Freddy is playing one of the pair of outrageous characters the book writers have him impersonate, doing scene-stealing work as the oh-so bizarre Ruprecht and as a wheelchair-bound soldier paralyzed from the waist down.”

Stanley extorts “Young triple-threat (John Paul Batista) gives the part his all in a charming performance that shows real promise. Kristin Towers-Rowles is a sexy, sensational Muriel. “  Farrell concurs, “Batista, as Andre, is more than a French-speaking cad. He's also a first-rate dancer and he and Kristin Towers-Rowles (as the love-lorn Muriel) have a romance that begins with an elegant dance that Ginger and Fred wouldn't be ashamed of.”

Stanley reports “Scene stealer Leigh Golden holds nothing back as Jolene,
her squeals alone making the part a winner, and that’s before she launches
into Jolene’s signature number, “Oklahoma?”, and brings down the house.
While Farrell agrees “Leigh Golden is a hoot as Jolene, another heiress who
has nothing but Oklahoma crude to spend.”

Stanley also acknowledges the hard working and talented ensemble by pointing out “Beth Benedict, Romel Desilva, Melissa Fong, Jeremy Hitch, Valerie Ruel, and Minerva Schott, do commendable work here.”

Steven Stanley says, “Director Lindsey Lee Taylor shares credit for the production’s many fine performances, and her choreography is bright and bouncy.”  John Farrell states “(Lindsey Taylor) brings to the work a clear idea of purpose and direct comedy, and a fine idea of how to use dancers, too. It's a great debut.”

Stanley continues to give credit to the crew, “Dr. Jeannette-Louise Yaryan deserves high marks for her musical direction.  Costumes by Kara McLeod are the show’s best design element, though Phil Buono deserves credit for an ingenious set design that fills the Warner Grand stage and transforms itself into several different locations with the simple rotation of a number of triangular panels.”  “

Steven Stanley concludes, “The Relevant Stage is heading in the right direction, and with the huge pool of Southern California talent, there is reason to expect more improvement in the future from San Pedro’s Musical Theatre Company.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

When: 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday | 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Where: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro.

Tickets: $5-$30. | 800-838-3006

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The Relevant Stage Theatre Company performs in residence at The Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, CA. TRS' mission is to challenge hearts, engage minds and expose truths. TRS tells relevant stories about the contemporary world we share.