Humor & Intrigue Merge in Glendale's 'Scarlet Pimpernel'
Jackie Houchin
February 17, 2009
Imagine the setting for ´The Tale of Two Cities,´ the blood and glory of ´Les Miserables,´ the costumes and court of ´Les Liaisons Dangereuse,´ then add the comic lightheartedness of ´My Fair Lady´ and you will have an inkling of what Glendale Centre Theatre´s new swashbuckling and romantic musical is all about.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is an impressive achievement for GCT, reprising two of its most talented and popular actors, Heather Lundstedt as Marguerite and Kelby Thwaits as Chauvelin (both from Phantom), introducing the tall-blond-and-handsome Brent Schindele in the title role… and featuring the infamous Madam Guillotine herself.
Yes, audiences will see the "blade of the law" in action in the second scene when the Marquis de St. Cyr is (gasp!) executed. Kudos to lighting and set designer, Tim Dietlein for pulling off this masterpiece of stagecraft.
Set in the final days of the French Revolution, the story revolves around three players: Citizen Chauvelin, whose burning passion is to rid France of its aristocracy, Sir Percival Blakeney, an Englishman who wants to rescue the innocents, and Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful actress, affianced to Percy, but having a former liaison with the Frenchman.
The wedding is hardly done, when news arrives that casts suspicion on Percy´s new bride. Can she be a French spy?
Disheartened, Percy throws himself into the role of The Scarlet Pimpernel (named for a red flower featured in his family crest), and convinces his friends to join him in his crusade against French atrocities.
To fool their countrymen, who want no part of the French war, these daring noblemen dress as simpering dandies with hankies and powder puffs, flaunting outrageous, lace-trimmed costumes of satin and silk. Their strutting and posturing add hilarity to several scenes and songs in the play. ("The Creation of Man")
But in France, their courageous escapades frustrate and infuriate Chauvelin, who vows to capture them, using whatever means he can, including blackmailing Marguerite.
On a visit to England, this delicious villain attempts to lure away his former lover in the seductive "Where´s the Girl?" song. Thwaits´ mesmeric voice and movements have more than Marguerite ready to join the French Revolution, but alas, Percy arrives and the two step apart.
Later, in "The Riddle," a slow dance of suspicion and intrigue between Chauvelin, Marguerite and Percy, the trio wonders whom they dare trust.
As the hunt escalates in act two, Marguerite´s brother, Armand St. Just (played by David O´Neill), a member of the Pimpernel´s League, is captured. Both Percy and his sister rush separately to France in a disastrous attempt to snatch him from Chauvelin´s Guillotine.
The final intense scenes are tempered (thankfully) by well-placed humor and in the end (of course) the Pimpernel saves the day
Schindele carries the lead well, both as the cavalier and the ´nincompoop.´ Lundstedt´s lovely soprano voice (highlighted in Phantom) is lowered for this gutsy role, but it works well for Marguerite, as does the flaming red hair.
Thwaits seems to excel in these quasi-bad boy roles, his voice and presence ever the romantic draw.
Other fine performances were delivered by "rookie" and ever so serious David O´Neill, and by veteran character actor, Don Woodruff, in the dual role of Robespierre/Prince of Wales.
And as always at GCT, the talented members of the ensemble deserve the highest praise for their performance.
The flamboyant "dandy" costumes, gorgeous ball gowns and French soldier attire are a credit to costumer Angela Wood´s skill, and, along with Mark Knowles dance choreography and Andrew Villaverde´s swordfight instruction, give the show its glorious eye-appeal.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is based on the original tale by Baroness Orczy, but Nan Knighton´s book and lyrics, Frank Wildhorn´s music and Tom Robinson´s direction have transformed it into a thrilling, must-see musical.
Running: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm through April 4, 2009
Tickets: $23.00-$26.00, with group-rate discounts.
Reservations: Call (818) 244-8481 or visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com
Glendale Centre Theatre is located at 324 N. Orange St, Glendale, CA 91203