Actor perfectly suited to his ‘Scoundrels’ role

Brian Scott is often seen on the local stage, but he may never have had a role that so well suits his talents as he does in Las Vegas Little Theatre's musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (based on the 1988 film).

Scott is the kind of actor who frequently seems over-rehearsed, manipulative. Here, he's working the rich ladies of a French Rivera casino as a master con man whose every word is a means to end. Scott plays the part with a broad wink, but you never doubt he's a master at his profession.

Curious, too, that under Walter Niejadlik's fast-paced direction, Scott turns off the studied phoniness when he, for a moment, doubts the value of his life style. "Vulnerable" is not a word I would normally use to describe Scott's acting, but in "Scoundrels," he surprises you with his ability to play both invincible and little-boy lost.

The musical itself is a hodgepodge of other popular hits, just pick one: "My Fair Lady," "The Producers," "Guys and Dolls." But though the writers (the score is by David "The Full Monty" Yazbeck) never find a unique style, they pile on enough funny second-hand jokes to keep the laughs consistent.

Niejadlik maintains a fine, light-hearted style that puts us in the mood for merriment. And he's cast extremely well. Mario Mendez, as a small-time crook who wants to team up with the master to learn the ropes, is nimble, impish and impossible to not like. OK, he swindles people out of their money, but everyone has their faults. And Penni Mendez is elegant and warm-hearted (sort of) as the heiress who is the object of both men's pursuits.

There's power in the chorus and minor roles, which is greatly helped by Sarah Sparker's ever-dazzling choreography. And Ginny Adams' lights give the locale an upper-scale glow. You believe this is the sort of place people would come to flaunt their dough.

A word of warning: Don't leave before the end. There's a plot twist that puts a whole different spin on the material.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at vegastheaterchat @aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.