By Holly Gould
Scera Center for the Arts welcomes audiences back to live theater with their lively and live production of The Scarlet Pimpernel at the beautiful Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem, Utah. Based on the 1903 stage play and 1905 novel by Baroness Emma Orczy, this highly humorous adventure tale set during the French Revolution is cleverly adapted for the stage by Nan Knighton and features a memorable and fun musical score by Frank Wildhorn.
When Percy Blakeney (Scott Hendrickson) marries his short-time sweetheart Marguerite St. Just (McKenna Thomas), he quickly discovers that she may not be the person that he once thought her to be. In an effort to uncover the truth about his love, he becomes the heroic rescuer of many English aristocrats from the ever-dreaded guillotine. Love, trust, betrayal and manipulation are all explored with wit and humor as the hero uncovers the truth about his beautiful bride and foils the nefarious Chauvelin.
Hendrickson is a treat to watch as he skillfully carries us through the plot’s twists and turns. His complex character’s likability grows throughout the show, as he shows us the sweet and betrayed husband, the quick-thinking spy, the persuasive leader, and the heroic rescuer. He is confidently deceitful as he keeps his identity secret from the French soldiers. Vocal high points are many, but my personal favorite musical moment from Hendrickson is during “Prayer,” where his voice shines with strength and power.
Thomas plays a great actress who gets caught playing the spy in order to save her friends and family. The audience is treated to her sweet and clear vocals as she opens the show in the grand number “Storybook,” where her voice commands attention without overpowering. Emotion is well displayed in her character as she experiences love and longing with Hendrickson, and desperation in making hard decisions to save her own loved ones.
In a relationship full of confusion, contempt, and caring, Hendrickson and Thomas work very well together. This relationship is best displayed during their duet of “You Are My Home,” where feelings and voices are blended together with beautiful skill.
A strong male ensemble is vital to this story, and this production does not disappoint. Percy’s friends and loyal supporters (Christian Devey, Kyle Harper, Jordan Gibby, Dusty Pyne, Alexander Richey, Jake Slater) provide the most entertainment when they are onstage. They give us strength and masculine harmonies in their well-known numbers “Into the Fire,” and “The Creation of Man.” They deliver quick lines of humor with deliberate timing and precise clarity, and provide true friendship for Percy and support for causes they believe in. These men work so well together vocally and through clever choreography. They portray brotherhood at its best.
Another highlight of the evening comes from the impressive choreography throughout the show. Lyndsay Folkman fills the evening with beautiful movement and visual stimulation. Grand ensemble dances provide a stage full of motion and visual satisfaction. Featured dancers in the ensemble capture our attention with their graceful skill. Percy’s men cleverly dance their way into our hearts with precision and humorous physicality. The dances are beautiful and entertaining and add so much to the overall experience of the evening.
DeLayne Bluth Dayton directs both stage and music and works with a great technical team to bring this production together so beautifully. The set design by Shawn M. Herrera is beautiful and versatile. My personal set favorite was the visually satisfying guillotine. Lighting design by Emma Belnap enhances the scene transitions perfectly, and costumes by Deborah Bowman are visually stunning and grand. Great teams make great shows.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is an action-packed show with rousing musical numbers and silly shenanigans throughout that is sure to entertain all audiences. For theatergoers who have been missing the live theater experience due to COVID-19, Scera has provided the perfect opportunity to try seeing a show again. The beautiful outdoor theater provides an open quality that I felt very comfortable in, and social distancing precautions give added safety to those who wish to attend. If you feel ready, go and support the arts at the Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem.
Scera Center for the Arts Presents The Scarlet Pimpernel by Nan Knighton Music by Frank Wildhorn
Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 South 400 East, Orem, Utah 84058
June 5-20, 2020 8:00 PM
Tickets::$10-18
Contact: 801-225-ARTS ext. 1011
www.scera.org/
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The Scarlet Pimpernel Facebook Event
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