Bangalore’s well known director of broadway musicals, Leila Alvares is back with her annual offering; this year with the hilarious comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The comedy will take place at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on Saturday 26 and 27 August, 2017 and at MLR Convention Centre, Whitefield on Sunday 3 September, 2017.

About Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Sophisticated, suave with a good dash of mischief, this musical comedy 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, only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. A hilarious battle of cons ensues and will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end.

The Cast

The cast  includes some of Bangalore's finest old and new singing, acting and dancing talent including Arvind Kasthuri,  Rahael Thomas, Nitya Samuel,  Shyju Varkey, Jenny George, Joewin Shamilana and Prem Koshy.

Accompanied by a live band, directed by Vivek Menzel, and with dances choreographed and directed by Rhea Thomas, Alisha D'Souza and Lionel De Nazareth this stage version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is definitely a must see.

Some of their past musicals include Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, GREASE, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, Monty Python's Spamalot, CURTAINS, Fiddler On The Roof, GHOST The Musical, and most recently Young Frankenstein.

Alvares promises another entertaining show this time around. "The movie  Dirty Rotten Scoundrels which came out in 1988, featuring Michael Caine and Steve Martin was a smash at the time. But when I watched it recently I found it slightly dated. However, the musical script is hilarious and the music absolutely wonderful and with lively dances coupled with fantastic acting, I have to say that the musical is streets ahead of the movie."

And it's not just Bangalore that gets to enjoy this musical treat. The talented troupe of 35 members tours Mangalore, Chennai, Coorg and Goa to wow audiences there as well. Alvares in association with the Cause Foundation brings out a show a year. The Cause Foundation, which Alvares began 20 years ago, is a non profit organisation committed to promoting local talent, the profits of which go to worthy local charities.

"I have been very fortunate with my cast over the years" says Alvares, "because not only do they volunteer their time and talent to the Cause every year, but they put up with late night rehearsals after a hard day's work and also with their, (often times), cranky director, me."  

Being the 20th anniversary of the Cause Foundation, this year Leila has decided to expand the brief of the Foundation's objectives. As she put it, "Over the years, hundreds of aspiring, young and old, highly talented performers have passed through our portals. We have also had the privilege to donate, both financially and in kind, to a number of charities including orphanages, destitute homes and animal welfare organisations, not just in Bangalore but also in almost every place that we have performed."

Watch here to learn about Cause Foundation

https://vimeo.com/1688741

However, this year on, she intends to do a bit more about their secondary objective in and around Bangalore:

-Conduct exhibitions of the various arts as part of a welfare strategy for underprivileged artistes

- Conduct medical camps for underprivileged humans

- Conduct anti rabies vaccination camps for underprivileged and stray animals

- Conduct grow back & tree planting camps as part of an effort to sustain the environment

- Conduct disaster management and first aid camps to deal with the changing environment

Event Details:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Chowdiah Memorial Hall- Saturday 26 August, 2017

MLR Convention Centre- Sunday 27 August, 2017

Whitefield?- Sunday 3 September, 2017

Time: 5:30pm (one show per day)

Tickets: Rs. 700/-, 500/-, 300/-

Available from 12 August, 2017: Online at Bookmyshow or call Kavitha at +91 98441 69903. Tickets will also be available at the venue two hours prior each performance.

Image credits: Google