The original superhero story, "The Scarlet Pimpernel," is being staged at Town and Country Players April 4 to 19, 2014.
Director, Mariel Rosati, directs a cast of 24 through this compelling musical.
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is set in Revolutionary France during the Reign of Terror. Foppish nobleman, Sir Percy Blakeney, played by Kevin Palardy, has a secret identity he cannot reveal: He is the Scarlet Pimpernel, responsible for saving the lives of many aristocrats from the dreaded guillotine.
His own wife, Marguerite St Just, played by Roseann Enwright, does not know his identity.
Sir Percy does not trust her, for he believes she has betrayed others to the guillotine.
He believes she would betray him as well.
What he does not know is that Marguerite is being blackmailed by their common enemy, Chauvelin, played by Micheal Schuimo.
Chauvelin is aid to citizen Robespierre, and instrumental in sending endless aristocrats to their untimely death at the hands of the guillotine.
Sir Percys distrust of Marguerite causes a heart breaking rift in their marriage.
Audiences will be on the edges of their seats watching as these two characters fight each other and the evil Chauvelin.
They will want to know, will Chauvelin catch the Scarlet Pimpernel or will Percys love for Marguerite save the day'
Rosati loves this show because "it offers everything “ romance, adventure, and comedy."
The music, with direction from Stephanie Overton-Hall, is beautiful.
The period costumes, assembled by Nancy Rideway, are beautiful.
The dance choreography, by Kathryn Skelly, gives the flavor of the 18th century.
And the swordplay, choreographed by Rick Deacon, is exciting.
The 24 person cast is local to Doylestown and its surrounding area. It includes John Neuman as Armand St. Just; Stuart Wyss-Leclair as Ozzy; Jonathan Knapp as Dewhurst; John Wishnie as Elton; Bob Harris as playing Farleigh; Robert Risch as Ben; James Palmer as St. Cyr/Ensemble; Bruce Perlman as Prince of Wales/Ensemble; Juan Caceres as Robespierre/Ensemble; Jillian Thaker Ambs as Marie Grosholtz/Ensemble; Gene Petrucci as Jessup/Tussaud/Ensemble; David Sharper as Sentry/Ensemble; Becca Carlyon Wahoff as Cupid/Ensemble; Carly Price as Cupid/Ensemble; Cali Weinstein as Cupid/Ensemble; Amanda Weikel as Cupid/Ensemble; Natalie Chernicoff in the Ensemble; Victoria Schultheis in the Ensemble; Michael Palardy as Mercier/Ensemble; and Christopher Palardy as Coupeau/Ensemble.
See "the Scarlet Pimpernel" at Town and Country Players April 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8:00 pm with matinee performances April 6 and 13 at 3:00 pm.
Tickets are available through www.townandcountryplayers.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006.