“Previously, I had only seen Derek Kwan previously in serious roles, as in the operas Mr. Shi and His Lover (2017) or The Lesson of Da Ji (2013). What a pleasure then to find that Kwan has a fine sense of comedy and can calibrate his tenor to sing music theatre.” – Christopher Hoile, Stage Door
“Derek Kwan is also a standout as Lawrence’s sidekick, along with Sara-Jeanne Hosie as Muriel Eubanks, a woman more than willing to pull out her chequebook for Lawrence. ” – Joshua Chong, Toronto Star
“Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Derek Kwan, and Michelle Shuster also have fun stand-out moments in the show. Kwan has great chemistry with both Goad and later Hosie as Lawrence’s accomplice Andre Thibault, who is tasked with distracting Hosie’s Muriel Eubanks who is a hilariously willing and repeated victim of one of Lawrence’s ongoing scams.” Lauren Gienow – Broadway World
“Playing André Thibault was a dream come true. It was my first principal role at the Stratford Festival, and I had so much fun with the outrageously hilarious script, amazing colleagues, and some amazing, choice moments of superb silliness. I’m grateful I got to spend so much time with it, listening to the audience and refining the comedy to GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!” — Derek
Lawrence Jameson is no stranger to the high life—he’s lived it for years by separating lonely rich ladies from their fortunes in a swanky Riviera town. When he and his chief competitor in the con business, Freddy Benson, make a bet to swindle an heiress out of $50,000, the professional scoundrels soon discover they may not always be the smartest people in the room. Based on the hit 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the musical comedy earned 10 Tony Awards for its hilarious hijinks and frivolity—beautifully reminiscent of an earlier age.
Stratford Festival presents:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by david yazbek
based on the film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning
original Broadway production directed by Jack O’Brien
May 3 – October 25 EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 23, 2025
Avon Theatre, Stratford Festival
Featuring:
Eric Abel, Carla Bennett, Devon Michael Brown, Jarret Cody, Christine Desjardins, Shakura Dickson, Henry Firmston, Jonathan Goad, Sarah-Jeanne Hosie, Aisha Jarvis, Derek Kwan, Kelsey Lacombe, Amanda Lundgren, Jordan Mah, Jamie Murray, Stephen Patterson, Ali Powell, Jason Sermonia, Michele Shuster, Liam Tobim, Jordan Goodridge, Bonnie Jordan, Alex Kelly, Heather Kosik, Gracie Mack
Director: Tracey Flye
Assistant Director: Stephen Conde
Music Director: Franklin Brasz
Stage Manager: Maxwell T. Wilson
Choreography by: Stephanie Graham
Costume Designer: Sue LePage
Set Designer: Lorenzo Savoini
Lighting Designer: Michael Walton
Sound Designer: Ranil Sonnadara
Fight and Intimacy Director: Anita Nittoly
