Scoundrels to Hit B'way Earlier Than Expected

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will be on Broadway sooner than expected. The new musical, originally scheduled to open at the Imperial Theatre on March 17, will now begin performances on the Great White Way on January 31 in preparation for a March 3 opening. Norbert Leo Butz, Sara Gettelfinger, Joanna Gleason, Gregory Jbara, John Lithgow and Sherie Rene Scott are set to star.

The 1998 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. The plot centers on two swindlers, crass American Freddy Benson Butz and suave Brit Laurence Jameson Lithgow. After meeting on a train, the pair bet to see who can bilk $50,000 out of an heiress first.

The musical features music and lyrics by The Full Monty's David Yazbek and a book by TV scribe Jeffrey Lane. In addition to the stars mentioned above, the cast includes Timothy J. Alex, Andrew Asnes, Roxane Barlow, Joe Cassidy, Julie Connors, Rachel deBenedet, Laura Marie Duncan, Sally Mae Dunn, Rick Faugno, Tom Galantich, Jason Gillman, Greg Graham, Amy Heggins, Grasan Kingsberry, Rachelle Rak and Tony Yazbeck. The production team for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels includes set designer David Rockwell, costume designer Gregg Barnes, lighting designer Kenneth Posner and music director Ted Sperling.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, will try out at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from September 15 through October 24.