David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane’s musical adaptation of the 1988 comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opened on this date, March 3, in 2005 at the Imperial Theatre. Directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the musical starred John Lithgow Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott, and Joanna Gleason. The original production ran 627 performances, and picked up 11 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Score, and acting noms for each of the four leads. Norbert Leo Butz won his first Tony Award in 2005 for his performance as con man Freddy Benson.
To celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary, we’re looking six standout renditions of “Here I Am”, the sparkling gem of Yazbek’s score and the musical introduction to the American Soap Queen/Con Queen Christine Colgate (Sherie Rene Scott).
You have to start with the singular Ms. SRS. Just listen to her do the whole thing full through. This is her moment.
Daniel Rosales
Sherie is a tough act to follow, but so is Daniel. He is serving major comedy and MAJOR vocals—he even works in an Alyssa Edwards tongue pop.
Marla Mindelle
The Broadway alum adds her own lyrics in but those notes don’t lie. Marla is currently slaying on Netflix’s Special, but please bring that voice back to Broadway soon!
Rachel Eskenazi-Gold
Listen, this is part of a 54 show so there’s personal story injected between the verses, but it’s worth it because these vocals are truly fire. Rachel is a former Christine in Broadway’s Phantom, but there’s no trace of opera here. It’s all big Broadway belting.
Kate Fahrner
This former Glinda standby is a comedy queen. She is leaning into the comedy, and it’s hilarious! Also the vocals are 100% on point.
Unknown Actress from 2010 High School Production Who Just Had to Be Included
This is a high school student. Imagine? Good for her!
