Tony Young and Matt Pennaz went old school to get ready for their roles in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," the Diamond Head Theatre production opening its two-week run tonight.

Really old school.

Sure, they checked out the 1988 movie with the same title and plot that featured Steve Martin and Michael Caine as con artists on the French Riviera who lay a loser-leave-town bet based on who can get a rich socialite to give one of them $50,000.

But the old, old, old school research came when both independently checked out "Bedtime Story," the 1964 classic featuring Marlon Brando, David Niven and Shirley Jones that "Scoundrels," the movie is based on.

"If you watch how Marlon played Freddy Benson, the Steve Martin and my character, he was much more serious," Pennaz said. "I think there's a lot of ways to play Freddy. Steve Martin is more physical comedy than I will be. I want to own it my own way. I'm so fired up for this. In 2007 my wife and I flew to San Diego to see the Broadway tour. It's one my all-time favorite productions."

Pennaz was nearly a spectator for this production, too, but a last-minute withdrawal by an original cast member opened the door for his audition. He's been having fun on set ever since.

"We try to keep the pranks to a minimum on set," he said, "but this is such a great crew to work with. I really think this musical is better and funnier than the movie."

So does Young, who studied both Caine and Nevin's interpretation of "Lawrence Jameson," the high-brow con man to Pennaz's anything-for-a-buck Freddy.

"Lawrence is actually from Detroit, but he pretends to be British first, then he's an Austrian psychologist with more of a German accent," Young said. "Keep in mind none of the accents are ever quite right, and he has one more accent at the end of the play that will be a surprise.

"But the thing about this guy is he'll take from women what he can, but he'll give back to the community. It's him first, of course, but at least then he'll think about others after. Freddy is only about Freddy. He'll do anything for a quick 20 bucks. My character will take some time and try get $20,000."

The French Riviera isn't big enough for two con artists with two vastly different games, so they make the loser-leave-town bet based on who can woo Christine Colgate (Tricia Marciel). The plot twists and turns, and unlike the movie, this is a musical, so all three main characters sing.

"I've spent a lot of time getting into this role and sometimes it spills over," Young said. "I'd go to bed with my headphones on, listening to the lines and the music. There have been a few times where my wife has said, 'You don't have to talk to me in an accent right now.' You just get into it."

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is directed by Rob Duval, choreographed by Christine Yasunaga and musically directed by Melina Lilios.

Young and Pennaz last worked together on the 2004 Diamond Head Theatre production "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Since then Pennaz's theater credits include "The Full Monty," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Ragtime," "Cinderella," "Damn Yankees," "Urinetown" and "Camelot."

Young has also performed in numerous local community theater productions. Recent credits include Frank-n-Furter in "The Rocky Horror Show" and Doug in "Gutenberg! The Musical!," as well as roles in "Sweet Charity," "La Cage Aux Folles" and "The Pajama Game."