It has been yet another successful year for the high school drama club, who after having its fair share of laughs in last year’s performance of Once Upon A Mattress, is looking forward to participating in the new and upcoming play, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. In case you are wondering, the play is exactly how it sounds.

    Based on a popular 1998 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a famous Broadway musical about two fraudsters who travel to the French Riviera in hopes of conning rich women out of their money, through methods of deceit and pure trickery. According to drama members, not only is this production full of twists and surprises, but the play itself follows a very humorous plotline and contains many entertaining characters.

    The two dirty rotten scoundrels in this musical are Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson, played by Roger Dawley and Jack Duff respectively. Roger Dawley, a junior at SHS, hopes to bring his character Benson to life by transforming himself into a loud and cocky American thief. As a thief who swindles money from rich women by telling them fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health, Dawley plays a very entertaining and hysterical character. On the other hand, Jack Duff, a senior at SHS, plays a suave and classy gentleman named Jameson, who uses charm and charisma to con unsuspecting ladies out of their money. After meeting on a train, these two conmen attempt to work together to get rich, yet soon find it impossible to do so, due to their significant differences. As a result, they agree on a deal: the first one to get fifty thousand dollars from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town.

    Female heiress Christine Colgate is played by Leah Block, a junior at SHS, who is eager to rehearse and “ready to dive in this year”. Expressing her excitement for playing a lead role in this year’s play, Block said, “I have a pretty big part in the musical this year so I’m excited to figure out how my character works and to put myself completely in her shoes.” Although she realizes that there will be a lot challenges in preparing for this play, including memorizing lines and figuring out her character, Block is prepared to work hard during rehearsals and put on an amazing show, with her fellow peers. She also looks forward to spending time with her drama club friends, who after years of dancing and singing together, are like her second family.

    “There’s something for everyone in this show and if you don’t go home laughing, then you must not have been watching,” said junior Emma Hoffman with a smile. Not only she has been involved with high school plays since her freshman year, but she is currently an esteemed member of the Thespian Society and looks forward to fulfilling her role as costume manager, this year. In addition to the script being absolutely hilarious, Hoffman complimented the show on its wonderful music and talented chorus ensemble. While a show needs actors and actresses to entertain its audience, it also needs people that are willing to work behind the scenes to make the show as engaging as possible.

    Dirty Rotten Scoundrels features many interesting characters, including Inspector Andre played by PJ Cignarella, Jolene played by Casey McCormack, and Muriel played by Ani Koziel. Accompanied by amazing music, lighting, and special effects, there is no way that the audience will leave the theatre without feeling thoroughly entertained.

    For those who are interested, the dates of the play are November 21, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m. in the SHS Auditorium.