The Scarlet Pimpernel at HCT

I have seen two of HCT's three productions of The Scarlet Pimpernel and they are among my very favorite shows at Hale or anywhere else! I think I squealed out loud when I learned that they were mounting a new production this season and I have been eagerly anticipating it for months to see what they could do in their new space. I was not disappointed because it is even bigger and better than ever! I have always loved the novel by Baroness Orczy (one of my students is reading it and we discuss it every day) and the music by Frank Wildhorn adds a dazzling romance to the thrilling story.  Percy Blakeney (Daniel Beck) has disguised himself as the Scarlet Pimpernel and has recruited a band of followers in order to save the people of Paris from the sinister Chauvelin (Dallyn Vail Bayles) and his guillotine during the French Revolution. He keeps his identity a secret from his wife Marguerite St. Just (Erin Royall Carlson), a Parisian actress, because he believes that she is helping Chauvelin, her former lover.  He is also keeping his identity secret from the Prince of Wales (Jeffrey Whitlock) by pretending to be a foppish nincompoop. However, he must make his most daring rescue when Marguerite and her brother Armand (Nathan Kremin) are arrested. What I loved most about Hale's former productions was the carousel during Marguerite's performance of "Storybook" at the Comedie Francaise. With a bigger stage and more toys at his disposal, set designer Kacey Udy outdid himself with the carousel in this show because it is amazing. I heard an audible gasp from the audience as it rose from below the stage. The 23-foot guillotine is another impressive set piece. I also really liked Percy's study and the rose garden. The costumes are absolutely gorgeous throughout the entire show but my favorites were those worn by the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel during "The Creation of Man."  They take "frou frou" to new levels. I really enjoyed the choreography, especially the intricate "Ouilles Gavotte" where Marguerite questions the men to try to learn the identity of the Pimpernel. The three leads are outstanding and it is incredibly powerful when the three of them sing "The Riddle." Beck, especially, does a good job at portraying Percy's strength as the Pimpernel, his vulnerability as a man who loves but can't trust his wife, and his silliness as a man trying to hide his identity. He is so funny in his interactions with Chauvelin and I laughed out loud every time he mispronounced his name! I cannot recommend this show enough (go here for more information) but you better hurry because most shows are sold out making tickets even more elusive than the Pimpernel!