Review: 'The Three Musketeers' by Phoenix Stage Company

Always stand up for what you believe in. Never back down unless you’re wrong. If a man insults you, turn the other cheek. If he insults you again, kill him. Make courage your watchword. But courage is more than arms and legs. It takes courage to be yourself, so do it. Above all things, live a life of honor. Honor the people you love, the ideals you cherish and the man inside you. - D'ARTAGNAN’S FATHER

Oakville, CT - The 2017 season continued at Phoenix Stage Company on Saturday with the opening of a swashbuckling production of the dramatic comedy ‘The Three Musketeers.’ This version of the play was written by Ken Ludwig and was adapted from the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. John Long directed the comings and goings of this very large cast on their three-sided stage with the help of stage manager Debbie Cryan.

This updated version of this tale of treachery, heroism, narrow escapes and most importantly honor, unfolds in a whopping twenty scenes with an intermission, so this is a three hour performance. It had to be exhausting for the performers but it certainly did not show; the marathon of adventure was punctuated with some quasi-contemporary comedy that the audience enjoyed. The feathered hats and classic capes, the abundance of rapiers, and the “one for all…” lines had a very old-Hollywood feel.
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Ms. Jacobson did the period choreography and the multi-talented Mr. Varanko composed the original song “Sing Diddle Diddle” that he performed with a few of the other men while playing on the mandolin. Ed Bassett was in charge of the flouncy 16th century costumes and Ms. Poulin was the costume assistant. My castmate from ‘The Last Supper: A Musical Reenactment’ at the PSC Marsha (Gaylord) Navarette designed the regal jewelry; one showy necklace played an important role in the plot. Mr. Bassett also designed the set that featured two panels which rotated as needed and Al Hathway worked his magic with the lighting design, especially in a stained glass motif.

Click for the podcast of Backstage with Johnny O’s interview with the director (at right) and Mr. Richnavsky.

‘The Three Musketeers’ runs through June 24. Next up at Phoenix Stage Company is ‘Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery’ by Ken Ludwig, which opens on July 15, 2017.Congratulations to the cast of Baskerville: Jonathan Ross, Tim Phillips, Dan Willey, Joshua Luszczak, KC Ross & Deb Goodman.

Nancy Sasso Janis is a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle and continues to contribute theatre news to local Patch.com sites. Check out her new Facebook page Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and follow her on Twitter @nancysjanis417

Photo of Rob Richnavsky and John Long by John Ozerhoski