‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’- A Musical Play by Leila Alvares-Bengaluru at Town Hall, Mangaluru on Sunday, 10 September
Mangaluru: The CAUSE Foundation-Bengaluru is a non-profit organization, which has for the past 20 years been bringing quality Broadway musicals to the Bengaluru stage, and has also staged many shows in Mangaluru. Its primary objective is to promote local talent with profits donated to local charities. It’s been 20 years since Leila Alvares, a Mangaluru original, now a well-known name in Bengaluru’s theatre circles staged her first annual musical. Now,19 different musicals later, Leila is back in the city with an adaptation of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, based on the 1988 film of the same name. “While looking for something to stage, I always search for works that are light hearted, funny and have a good musical score,” says Leila.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Leila Alvares, the director of CAUSE Foundation, which works to promote local talent, and whose musicals over the years have included ‘The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Hello Dolly’ and Fiddler On The Roof’, among others, said, ” Rotten Scoundrels was just what I was looking for. The script is a lot funnier than the movie and the music has a distinct jazz vibe to it, which I just loved. The cast and crew of about 30 people have been rehearsing for the past two months, but it has been slightly less hectic this year, since last year, we did our rehearsals until 11 pm or 12 midnight, but now we wrap up by 10 pm. I think it’s because the cast is much smaller and so easier to handle. The group is a mix of students, doctors and corporate professionals and the lead roles are played by Arvind Kasthuri, Rahael Thomas and Nithya Samuel. Accompanied by a live band, the choreography for the musical is done by Rhea Thomas, Alisha D’Souza and Lionel De Nazareth. I would like Mangaloreans to come watch the show, which will take you into a world of laughter”.
About the play in brief- “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, based on the popular 1988 MGM film, will take you to the French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity. Sophisticated, suave with a good dash of mischief, this hysterical comedy features a delightfully jazzy score by David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and was nominated for a staggering eleven Tony Awards. Lawrence Jamieson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health. After a brief meeting, they attempt to work together. When the town becomes too small for both of them to operate side by side, they devise a way to decide who stays and who must leave.
A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end! “It’s really a story of two lovable con men and how they live their lives. At the end of the day, it’s about how love triumphs over all else,” explains Leila, The production explores the themes of deception, love, friendship and competition. While the original script is over two hours long, Leila’s version has been cut short to one hour and 40 minutes.
So be there at Town Hall-Mangaluru, 6 pm, Sunday, September 10, 2017. Tickets available at Jimmy’s Super Market or book it on bookmyshow.com