“The Scarlet Pimpernel” Through June 18 Ahmanson
Theatre Tickets $25 – $70 (213) 628-2772
The chorus sung about the infamous storybook hero and star of
“The Scarlet Pimpernel” echoed through the Ahmanson
Theatre at the play’s opening last week. “We seek him
here, We seek him there / Those Frenchies seek him everywhere / Is
he in Heaven? / Is he in Hell? / That demmed elusive
Pimpernel.” The heartwarming musical tells the classic story
of Percy Blakely, an everyman turned savior during the French
Revolution. Hilariously comedic but still rooted in the nightmares
of the French upheaval, “Pimpernel” has been labeled a
“dramedy” by actor Douglas Sills, who plays Blakely.
Fittingly, it is Blakely’s wit and candor, but also his
determination to rescue the innocent from the guillotine, that
carry the show. Blakely is a young English dilettante who realizes
on his wedding day that he has been betrayed by his French wife,
Marguerite, who is masterfully portrayed by actor Amy Bodnar.
Feeling like he has lost everything, Blakely decides to fight for a
larger cause as the savior of the innocent in conflicted France.
With a small band of merry men, Blakely crosses the English Channel
in disguise as the Scarlet Pimpernel, a name taken from the flower
on his family’s crest, and makes a mockery out of the
tyrannous French regime. Cracking jokes and outwitting every
soldier and informant, the Pimpernel foils one execution after
another. However, the swashbuckling hero is met with opposition as
the plot thickens. French henchman Chauvelin (William Paul Michals)
is after his blood and his wife. Blakely quickly finds himself
lured into a sticky web of betrayal, blackmail and adventure, all
the while trying to keep his identity a secret, even from
Marguerite. The popularity of superhero characters in today’s
culture began with the Scarlet Pimpernel story and character. Every
masked avenger from the Lone Ranger to Superman and Batman has its
origins in the daring Scarlet Pimpernel, but it is rare that
audiences can see such a hero in action on the stage. Other
historical productions, like “Amadeus” and “Les
Miserables,” have recently been well-received in the theater,
as has “Pimpernel.” The difference is that this musical
is more lighthearted than much of what is currently on stage. It is
true that “Pimpernel” is riddled with violence and the
sourness of love gone bad, but it is written with a good dose of
humor as well, most of which is embodied in the playful Blakely.
The musical’s breathtaking score, laced with the soulful,
emotional lyrics of 15 songs, makes it a true Broadway production.
The strong voices and charismatic performances of Bodnar, Michals
and Sills are by themselves worth the price of admission, and the
intriguing story makes “Pimpernel” a fun and
suspenseful ride. The cast’s elegant costumes, including
sequined ball gowns, 18th century wigs and zebra-striped
gentleman’s coats, make the musical come alive with
authenticity as a historical production. The swordfighting
sequences in the show are reminiscent of traditional fighting
techniques. A fight director trained the cast to ensure that every
lunge would appear to be in earnest. Adapted from the novel by
Baroness Emmuska Orczy, the tale of the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel
has been a favorite for more than a century and various stage
adaptations have been created from the story since it was first
published. The current musical triumph earns its place as a theater
favorite with every tear and chuckle it pulls from the spellbound
audience. Trisha Kirk Rating: 8 “The Seagull” Through
June 4 Crossley Theatre, Hollywood Tickets $13 – $17 (323)
462-8460
Many directors might shy away from a play written by the
legendary Anton Chekhov. Yet accomplished thespian Diane Venora,
currently starring opposite Al Pacino in “The Insider,”
not only tackles one of Chekhov’s most complex works, but
approaches it with a fresh style. Under Venora’s leadership,
the professional theater company, Actor’s Co-op, expertly
tackles Chekhov’s overarching theme of unrequited love.
Combining masterful acting and solid direction, the play
illuminates the tragic, yet humorous reality of wanting what we
cannot have. Chekhov, internationally acclaimed for his dramas and
short-stories set in 19th or 20th century Russia, infiltrates
“The Seagull” with many diverse personalities and
conflicting relationships. While the play follows the lives of a
handful of characters, the story focuses on one character, Nina,
the daughter of a wealthy countryman. Nina (Mary Faulkner) wants
fame desperately, as evidenced by how closely she watches and
imitates Irina Arkadina, the famous actress visiting Nina’s
neighbor. This famous actress also happens to be Nina’s
boyfriend’s mother. Throughout the play, Nina’s
boyfriend Konstantine (Bruce Ladd) yearns for her undevoted
attention, but her attentions lie elsewhere. Konstantine’s
hurt is witnessed when Nina runs off to the city to pursue not only
her acting dreams, but also another man. As Nina learns the hard
way that fame may not be as glamorous as she once thought, her
transformation from a naive country girl to a hardened woman is
seen by the audience. While the heart of the story follows Nina,
several of the supporting players highlight the show, particularly
the character of Masha. Marianne Savell’s portrayal of the
neighbor’s daughter, Masha, provides comic relief between the
show’s intense moments. Masha desperately loves Konstantine,
but his heart belongs to Nina. Masha parades about in black
clothes, declaring that she mourns not death, but life. Masha makes
fun of those who look at the world through wide-eyed optimism, such
as Nina. As Masha’s witty barbs provide a humorous contrast
to Nina’s fresh-faced naivete, Savell also delves beneath
Masha’s bitterness, layer-by-layer. Like Savell, each actor
expertly illuminates the many layers in Chekhov’s work. In
addition, Venora’s incorporation of movement and changing
sets creates an effective medium for the cathartic revelations.
Ultimately, Venora and the Actor’s Co-Op stay true to
Chekhov’s revelations, while also breathing new life into
this classic play. Elizabeth Blair Rating: 7