John Lithgow starred in 3rd Rock From the Sun

The show will open in San Diego, California, in September, and is expected to move to Broadway in 2005, reports industry paper Variety.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels started life as a 1964 film starring David Niven and Marlon Brando and was remade in 1988 with Steve Martin and Michael Caine.

Lithgow has previously starred in 3rd Rock From the Sun and Shrek.

He won a Tony Award in 2002 for the Sweet Smell of Success.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels sees two con men fleecing rich women on the French Rivera, before realising the town is not big enough for the two of them to work in.

The musical, at the Old Globe Theatre, will be directed by Jack O'Brien, who was hailed for successfully transporting The Full Monty from the big screen to stage.

Lithgow will take the part played Caine in the movie, while the other lead will be played by Norbet Leo Butz, who is starring on Broadway in Wicked.