By Larisa Hicken
The Scarlet Pimpernel based on the work by Baroness Orczy, with music by Frank Wildhorn and book and lyrics by Nan Knighton, is Director Jerry Elison’s 28th show at the SCERA theater in Orem, Utah. It is also one of my all-time favorite shows, so I was eagerly anticipating seeing this production.
The Scarlet Pimpernel takes place during the French Revolution and is full of romance, intrigue, and humor. On his wedding night, Sir Percy Blakeney discovers that his bride, actress Marguerite St. Just, provided information that led to the capture and execution of St. Cyr so he turns away from her and together with his friends decides to save as many aristocrats from the guillotine as he can through disguise and trickery. Percy becomes the Scarlet Pimpernel and he and his bounders rescue many nobles from the guillotine and Chauvelin, a leader in the French Republican guard. Eventually Chauvelin captures the brother of Marguerite and threatens to kill him if Marguerite doesn’t help him capture the Scarlet Pimpernel, but she has no idea that the famous hero is her own husband.
I was worried that I would miss the performance due to storms that lasted most of the day. Just in time the sky cleared up and the show went on. Thank goodness it did because the set designed by Teri Griffin is truly something amazing that made the whole night truly unforgettable. I was in awe of the genius and planning that must have gone into such a brilliant design. If you get a chance to see the show, it’s worth every penny of the ticket price just to see the set.
Of course, the show would be nothing without the actors, particularly the three lead roles of Percy, Marguerite, and Chauvelin. Sir Percy, played by Stephen Gashler, has excellent comedic timing and I really enjoyed the scenes with his bounders and the interaction between him and Chauvelin, played by Bryan Thacker.
Thacker has an incredible voice and his singing was by far the best of the night. Chauvelin’s song, “Falcon in the Dive,” is not traditionally one of my favorites, but it was one of the highlights of this particular show.
The role of Marguerite was played by the lovely Kelsey Mariner Thacker. Her spunky portrayal of Marguerite was delightful and I really liked her character choices. Her French accent was a little distracting at times – mostly because nobody else in the show had one, but her French during the reprise of the song “Storybook” was “incroyable.”
The music was very well done throughout the show, particularly by the very talented ensemble. Martha Glissmeyer, the Music Director, did a nice job and the harmonies were spot-on in the chorus numbers. The solos in “Madame Guillotine” were all very nicely done.
The most fun characters in this show are, of course, the Scarlet Pimpernel’s bounders and the actors Kristian Huff, Eric Glissmeyer, Justin Stockett, Duncan Johnson, Brodee Ripple, and Sawyer Griffin were highly entertaining. They each had well developed character relationships and interactions. My favorite bounder was Elton played by Stockett. He had me laughing out loud several times throughout the night.
The most entertaining moment of the night was when Choreographer Penny Colvin and Costumer Kelsey Seaver showed off their style in the song “Creation of Man.” The bounders truly looked hilarious in fringe-covered pastels and their dance was perfect! Seaver also impressed me again with the costumes for the King’s Ball in Act II. When Percy and Marguerite entered in their matching outfits, I was wishing for my camera.
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I’m glad the weather cooperated and allowed me to see this well-done production of my favorite show. If you get a chance to see it, bring a blanket or jacket and enjoy an evening of quality entertainment with stunning visual elements that make this show a true visual and vocal masterpiece.
Photos by Mark A. Philbrick
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre
699 South State Street, Orem, UT 84058
In the middle of SCERA Park
General Admission: $10 Adult, $8 Child/Senior/Student
Reserved Section B: $12 Adult, $10 Child/Senior/Student
Reserved Section A: $14 Adult, $12 Child/Senior/Student
August 2-17 @ 8:00pm
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Gates open @ 7:00pm
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