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The Scarlet Pimpernel
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Sills
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By Melinda Schupmann
Sneered at by the critics and originally doomed to fizzle, The New, Improved, Slicked-up, Crowd-Pleaser Scarlet Pimpernel has just arrived at the Ahmanson to liven up crowds after Martin Guerre gasped its last painful breath. This time, the whole show is about Percy Blakeney (the brave, noble, and outrageously campy Douglas Sills) and his fey band of compatriots fighting the nasty French Revolutionary Chauvelin (William Paul Michals). Once the requisite injustice has been perpetrated on Blakeney's friends and he marries the beautiful Marguerite St. Just (Amy Bodnar), he shifts into gear as the savior of the people by pretending to be a limp-wristed fop.
Baroness Orczy's 1905 novel has been remarkably enduring, spawning a series of Pimpernel movies, the first with Leslie Howard as Blakeney and even a later spin off, also starring Howard set in World War II, called Pimpernel Smith. This newest stage incarnation , however, adapts itself to our current penchant for broad caricature. Thank heavens, because Frank Wildhorn's music and Nan Knighton's lyrics would not last long if the play were meant to be taken seriously. While they are pleasant enough, without Sills' charisma and a lot of razzle-dazzle, this play could be a major stinker.
Formulaic in nature, Chauvelin (Jauvert inLes Miserables, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast) intimidates and blusters about, menacing anyone who hangs around. Supported by the Prince of Wales and Robespierre (both David Cromwell), the two principals battle on until the requisite swordfight and happy ending.
Choreographer Robert Longbottom does yeoman service to the show. It is cleaner and crisper, allowing the music and physicality of the adventure to have a clearer focus. Bodnar's voice is pleasant, and her Marie Osmond grin adds appeal to her character. No angst there. "Into the Fire" and "The Creation of Man" are very successful numbers, with Sills and his amusing supporting cast.
A great big show with a great big cast, delightfully colorful costumes by Jane Greenwood, and nifty scenery by Andrew Jackness add up to a show it is worth paying those big ticket prices for.
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand, Los Angeles. (213) 628-2772 or online at www.TaperAhmanson.com . Tues-Fri at 8, Sat. at 2 & 8, Sun. at 2. Additional performances May 7, 14, 21, 28 at 7:30; June 1, 8, 15 at 2. $25-70.
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