Review by Kjirtsen Barrington, Front Row Reviewers
The elusive Scarlet Pimpernel has appeared again- this time at a modest but fiercely loved community theater in Kaysville, Utah, The Hopebox Theatre. This venue is no “humble English flower”- codirectors Becca Rhodes and Spencer Bowden have made certain of that. What they’ve created may well be the most outstanding production of The Scarlet Pimpernel ever to grace a Utah stage. A bold claim, yes- but one well worth investigating.
When you first enter the theater, you might expect a cozy, entertaining evening in your reclining seat. You may even fear you’ll drift off. But before long, you’ll realize that “into the fire we go!”. What begins as a quiet night quickly ignites into a battle of life and death, courage and sacrifice, wit and passion.
You’re quickly greeted by the most heavenly voice of Chrissy Andreasen playing Marguerite. Her gown is nearly as impressive as her voice, spanning across the stage with an audacity that ensures her image stays with you long after the curtain falls. The illusion of 1792 France comes alive through the cast’s mastery of the score under music director Logan Kelly, the colorful and intricate costumes crafted by Livvy Noorchester, the ever-shifting sets guided by stage manager Jordan Shami, and the expert choreography of Wyatt Welch. What was once a small, humble stage almost magically becomes an entire Parisian street in the middle of the French Revolution– complete, of course, with Madame Guillotine at the center of it all.
With such impressive detail woven into the rest of the production, the wedding scene feels unexpectedly minimal—a beige backdrop and a few floral props where you would anticipate the elegance of a grand English ceremony. Its understated tone may be intentional, but you may be momentarily uncertain whether it is a wedding or a simpler moment of promise between the characters.
Then enters Ricky Dowse as Sir Percy Blakeney, the master of disguise and hero of the hour, who sweeps you off your feet and never quite sets you down again. His voice doesn’t merely fill the room; it reshapes it, creating space for both tragedy and triumph, love and loss, camaraderie and betrayal. With each song, he strengthens the bond of his League, and simultaneously makes you “believe in love, believe in dreams, and believe in tomorrow!”
Dowse’s portrayal of Percy is nothing short of masterful. He navigates the delicate balance between comedy, romance, and high-stakes heroism with such ease that even the most complex moments feel effortless. His flamboyant foppishness delights, yet never overshadows the humanity beneath the mask. Dowse’s Percy doesn’t just play the hero–he embodies the tension between artifice and authenticity. The Marie Grozholtz oil painting of Percy, placed in his home, is an impressive visual flourish that captures the actor’s likeness, charm, wit, and larger-than-life persona that defines the character throughout the show.
The relationship between Percy and Marguerite both heals you and breaks you. You watch a bewildered woman grasp for understanding as the man she adores seems to vanish. You watch a tortured man fall from fierce love into doubt and betrayal, yet still rise to protect his people– becoming “the king of fools, and the savior of men.” Amid this turmoil stands their cunning adversary (and former lover?), the cunning Frenchie, Chauvelin, portrayed by Dugan Brunker.
Somehow, Brunker’s Chauvelin blends the charm of a Disney villain with a voice crafted of old-world richness and luxury. His storytelling captures both shadow and moonlight, holding the audience in quiet suspense as they wonder who will live–and who will not.
Yet amidst the drama, laughter abounds. The League’s antics–mocking the extremes of French fashion while orchestrating daring rescues–are performed with impeccable timing and wit. As the saying goes, “a man who looks ridiculous can never be suspected of heroism,” and the cast embraces this motto of the Pimpernel with precision. Their commitment to character and ensemble chemistry cements this production as a five-star masterpiece–its triumph sealed by the meticulously sculpted head of Dowse’s Percy, a proud emblem of his mischievous victory.
Don’t miss The Scarlet Pimpernel, written by Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Nan Knighton, now playing at Hopebox Theater. This company doesn’t just perform– they uplift. Founded to bring hope to families battling cancer through the performing arts, Hopebox continues to operate from a foundation of compassion, ambition, and community. In this timeless production, that spirit becomes “a flame that cannot be put out!”
Hopebox Theatre presents The Scarlet Pimpernel by Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Nan Knighton.
1700 S Frontage Rd W, Kaysville, UT 84037
Oct 3rd-Nov 1st, Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30 PM, & Saturdays 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Tickets: $16-21
Contact: 801-451-5259
Hopebox Theatre Facebook Page
About Hopebox Theatre
Wall of Hope
The Hopebox is a community theater with a very special mission. Each show is a tribute and a fundraiser for a community member struggling with cancer. This works in three ways:
1) Ticket Sales: While most of our ticket sales go towards covering theater and show expenses, a portion of each ticket sold goes directly to our Wall of Hope recipient. The more tickets we sell, the more we have to give the recipient!
2) Direct Donations: We use our platform to encourage direct giving. At each performance, we recognize our Wall of Hope recipient and give our patrons an opportunity to donate something additional. 100% of these donations go directly to the honoree with no hidden fees or amounts taken off the top. If you’d like to donate something, you can do so through Venmo @Givehopebox. In this way you can help make a difference, even if you can not attend a show!
3) Community Engagement: Each Wall of Hope recipient is the heart and soul of the production. They are recognized in details throughout the set design, cheered for at each rehearsal, communicated with by the cast and production team during rehearsals, and invited along with their entire family to closing night where they are honored on stage after the performance. A commemorative plaque is also presented and then placed on the Wall of Hope by our special honoree.
Through all of this, it is our sincere desire to provide love and support and hope to our Wall of Hope recipient and their family by demonstrating that a community cares!
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