March 28, 2024

The Scoundrels of Interlochen

Nov. 14, 2010
The Scoundrels of Interlochen
By Kristi Kates
When asked what the most appealing element of Interlochen’s up-coming
production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: The Musical will be,
Interlochen Director of Theater David Montee’s answer is as speedy as
the con-artist characters in the play itself.
“It’s flat-out hilarious.”
Based on the 1988 movie starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine –
which, incidentally, ranks 85th on Bravo’s list of the 100 Funniest
Movies – Interlochen’s spin on the tale adds in the musical element.
Also of note is a storyline that would be equally at home in the ’50s
as it is today:  two con men, Freddy and Lawrence, make their living
talking rich ladies out of their money. When the two aim to snag
$50,000 from an heiress on the French Riviera, the competition begins,
as does the hilarity.
“The film was wonderfully funny, and the play retains all of that,
plus some great music, as well,” Montee says, “it won the Tony Award
for Best Broadway Musical a few years back. I think audiences will
have a great time with it, but they should also know that it contains
some adult material and language - it’s definitely a PG-13.”

TRIPLE THREAT
Starring in the production are a trio of Interlochen’s brightest
talents, a couple of which Montee says he worked with last year in the
school’s production of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost.
“Michael Liebhauser (Lawrence) is from Rhode Island - a third-year
junior here in the theater department - and Evan Adams (Freddy) is a
post-graduate, who was here as a senior last year, and decided to stay
on another year - we were thrilled to have him back.” Montee explains.
“Rachel Eskanazi-Gold, our female lead, is from Los Angeles. Both
Rachel and Michael are former participants in our camp program in the
summers, and I’ve had the fun of working with Evan and Michael
before.”
Interlochen, well-known for placing art on an equal level with smarts,
is also known for exceptional production values in their plays and
concerts, and are often helped along by assistance from other
community talents.
“Melinda Rohn, our music director, and Kristina Nichols, our
choreographer, are well known for their work in the Grand Traverse
community, both with Old Town Playhouse and Swing Shift’s Dancing with
the Stars,” Montee says, “they’re both doing a fabulous job.”

GOLDEN STAGE
And who knows where this production might lead for Liebhauser, Adams,
and Eskanazi-Gold; according to Montee, Interlochen’s theater program
has helped craft plenty of well-known performers who’ve seen great
success in the entertainment industry, well beyond Michigan.
“The Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre program is dedicated to
providing the best pre-professional training for talented young actors
and actresses in the country,” Montee explains. “Our theatre alumni
have won Academy Awards, Tony Awards, Golden Globes, Obies, and every
other major recognition that the industry bestows on its performers.
The students that our audiences have watched in our shows over the
past two decades, they now have a chance to see in films, on Broadway,
and on television almost every night.”
Set to be staged in the Harvey Theater, one of the smaller of
Interlochen’s venues, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is sure to be a fun
evening, and one that Montee is already quite proud of.
“It will be a more intimate production, which actually helps us to be
a bit more subtle, less broad in the humor,” Montee explains, “which,
for me, makes it even funnier than it would be on a big stage.Costumes
and scenery, however, will be up to level of our usual quality at
Interlochen - which is to say, very impressive,” he smiles, “just on a
smaller stage, so you can appreciate the detail more.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will run November 19 & 20 and December 3-5 at
Interlochen’s Harvey Theater. All times are 7:30 p.m. with the
exception of Sunday, December 5 which is a matinee performance at 2:00
p.m. Tickets $22 adult/$18 senior/$9 student, available via
https://tickets.interlochen.org/.

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