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The Three Musketeers
Music by George Stiles
Lyrics by Paul Leigh
Book by Peter Raby
Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Directed and Choreographed by David H. Bell
Music Director and Conductor Dale Rieling
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
Call 312-595-5600, tickets $50 - $67
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 1 & 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 45 minutes with intermission
Through February 18, 2007
Swashbuckling, tuneful musical does Dumas’ novel proud
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, guided by Creative Producer Rick Boynton and Director David H. Bell, has completed a new, epic musical that soars as an artistic achievement of the first order! Two years in development with a score by George Stiles (Honk! And Mary Poppins), lyrics by Paul Leigh (Moll Flanders) and book by Peter Raby, The Three Musketeers is a magnificent, visually stunning, melodic musical that thoroughly entertains. Containing a rich balance of humor, bravado, romance and chivalry, Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel comes to life in an action-packed musical adaptation that works on all levels. From the versatile sets by Tom Burich, the excellent, period-perfect costumes b Mariann Verheyen with wigs and make-up designs by Melissa Veal, The Three Musketeers transports us back to Paris in the 17th Century.
Peopled by larger than life characters that speak in witty poetry, exude charm and live life aggressively, The Three Musketeers sings well and energetically tells the story of D’Artagnan (Kevin Massey), the young swordsmen who arrives in Paris to join the King’s Musketeers. He quickly challenges the Three Inseparables: Athos (Juan Chioran), Aramis (Aaron Ramey) and Porthos (Steven Jeffrey Ross) to a duel but he ends up helping the three fight with the Cardinal’s henchmen thus winning the loyalty of the Three. The story is a coming-of-age tale of D’Artagnan and his adventures in royal affairs of the French King (Terry Hamilton), his Queen (Johanna McKenzie Miller) and the evil Cardinal (Jeffrey Baumgartner).
D’Artagnan, played with warmth, charm and sung wonderfully by Kevin Massey, wins us with his bravado, innocence and pure romantic spirit. He falls for Constance (Abby Mueller in terrific voice) and becomes embroiled in court intrigue with the villainous Milady (Blythe Wilson, who almost steals the show with her strong acting and stunning vocals). D’Artagnan’s escapades including several breathtaking sword fighting scenes (fight choreography by Kevin Asselin) plays out richly in song. Stiles’ score and the witty (often funny) lyrics by Leigh capture the lighthearted mood of chivalry and romanticism of the period.
Fine harmonies and melodic anthems capture the atmosphere of the time and compelling romantic ballads soars in this memorable score. The women, Milady (Blythe Wilson) and Abby Mueller (Constance) get the best songs. “Any Day” from Mueller and Wilson’s “Gentleman” are moving while the two ladies duet “Beyond The Walls” are climatic. Kevin Massey and Abby Mueller produced romantic sparks with their duets “Doing Very Well without You” and the marvelous “Who Could Have Dreamed of You?”
With show stopping numbers like “Count Me In” and “A Good old-Fashion War,” together with segues like “Paris By Night,” the musical is a complete epic that engages and carries its story in an eye-popping sweepingly romantic journey. This is a show that begs to be seen. It contains strong voices, charm to share and nicely developed characters. The score and lyrics are Broadway caliber. See this spectacle now before it becomes a smash on Broadway. (It relocates to Boston in spring.) Kudos to Chicago Shakespeare Theater for developing this gem, 2007 is off to a fine start.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007
Jeff Recommended
The Three Musketeers
Review by Al Bresloff
As a child growing up, I was enamored with the swashbuckler stories; " The Man In The Iron Mask", "The Count of Monte Cristo" and of course " The Three Musketeers" which is now being staged in an all new Musical adaptation at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. This is an action packed roughly three hours of telling this story with music by George Stiles, lyrics by Paul Leigh with a book by Peter Raby and of course this is all based on the original story by Alexander Dumas. The idea to bring this epic story to the musical theater was conceived by Bill Hobbs and under the direction and choreography of David H. Bell with a solid cast, we have the makings of another "Broadway- bound" production. It seems that over the past several years, Chicago has become THE first stop in many a big show and once they trim s few spots in this one, I truly feel "The Three Musketeers" the musical, will find its way to the great white way.
The cast that has been assembled is sterling! Kevin Massey sparkles as young D'Artagnan who sets out to become a Musketeer by joining Athos ( a solid performance by Juan Chioran), Porthos ( Steven Jeffrey Ross brings out the comical character with eases) and Aramis ( Aaron Ramey). They are joined on this stage by Chicago favorite Greg Vinkler ( who can take any role and make it stand out), Brian Sills, Neil Friedman, the dynamic Abby Mueller, Johanna McKenzie Miller and an outstanding performance by Blythe Wilson.
The ensemble is one of the strongest I have seen in a musical and the fight coordination staged by Kevin Asselin was pure magic to watch. These actors were within inches of the audience and never swerved from their assigned tasks. The costumes (Maryann Verheyen) and the wigs ( Melissa Veal) added to the marvelous set by Tom Burch and lighting by Donald Holder make this production even better than I had anticipated- when you have a master chef (David H. Bell) and all of the aforementioned ingredients you have a French Meal that is worthy of the standing ovation given on the opening night performance. Once they tweak the recipe a bit, as often even great directors must, they will have a production that should see Broadway for a lengthy run, meanwhile, you get a chance to see it first!
"The Three Musketeers" will run at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier through February 18th with performances as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m.
Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. ( Except Feb. 14th evening only).
Tickets range in price from $50 and are available at the box office by calling 312-595-5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com
There is discounted parking at Navy Pier, easy public transit to reach the Pier ( as well as the trolleys)
For some special features, check out www.chicagoshakes.com ( "Access Shakespeare, $30 tickets)
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