All For One and One For All

The Three Musketeers

Transporting both the audience and the artists from the real world to another time and place has always been the intent of the Idle Muse Theatre Company. The theatre is known for interpreting the classics, both novels and theatrical dramas, and presenting them from a new, unique point of view. Over their twenty year history, the company has presented new stage adaptations of such familiar literary works as Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. Idle Muse has also offered their own unique perspective of well-known theatrical works, such as “Macbeth,” retold as WHAT THE WEIRD SISTERS SAW; “L’Morte D’Arthur,” reinterpreted from the villain’s perspective as THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT; and an historically-based play that probably inspired “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” called THE BLOOD COUNTESS. 

Celebrating an impressive twenty years of popular and critically acclaimed productions, Idle Muse Theatre Company opens their new season with another new interpretation of THE THREE MUSKETEERS. The popular and much-revered romantic, swashbuckler novel of intrigue, originally authored by Alexandre Dumas, dates back to 1844. But in playwright Robert Kauzlaric’s new interpretation, dynamically directed by Artistic Director Evan Jackson, this classic tale of Musketeers Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and the new kid on the block, D’Artagnan, feels almost contemporary. After all our country has been through the past two years, especially reflected in America’s recent No Kings Day protest, the proverbial cry of “All for one and one for all” seems particularly timely and au courant. 

Young D’Artagnan (portrayed with pluck by handsome young leading man, Troy Shaeflein (A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING, with Black Button Eyes; WHAT THE WEIRD SISTERS SAW, at Idle Muse) arrives in 17th century Paris to join the King’s guard. He searches out famed Musketeers Athos, characterized by accomplished actor, Jack Starkey (THE MOUSETRAP, at Citadel; THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT, with Idle Muse), Aramis, played with poetic finesse by Xavier Lagunas (THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT; THE BLOOD COUNTESS, both at Idle Muse), and Porthos, inhabited by the especially impressive and hilarious Boomer Lusink (SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, at Idle Muse). Becoming embroiled in court politics, the swordsmen’s mission is to defend the honor of Queen Anne, played with grace and goodness by Caty Gordon (SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL; THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT, both with Idle Muse). They must also protect her weak, self-indulgent husband, French King, Louis XIII. He’s portrayed by the incredibly talented Benjamin Jouras (STRANGE CARGO, at City Lit). Mr. Jouras is making his Idle Muse debut, but hopefully this won’t be the last time we’ll see of him on this stage. The good-looking, gifted young actor also plays England’s first Minister, the suave, charismatic Duke of Buckingham.

The somewhat complicated adventure story revolves around the evil machinations of Cardinal Richelieu, portrayed with venom by an almost unrecognizable Eric Duhon (THE TEMPEST; with Idle Muse). He’s assisted by his agent of malice, the  Compte de Rochefort, played with hatred and heinousness by Joel Thompson (THE TEMPEST; THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT, both at Idle Muse). Their malignant malice is surpassed by the vile and villainously seductive spy, Milady de Winter. Jennifer Mohr returns to Idle Muse, after her enjoyable performances in THE TEMPEST, ONCE UPON A SHORE and THE LAST QUEEN OF CAMELOT to chew up the sets in this scene-stealing role.

The large supporting cast includes lovely and talented Idle Muse ensemble member, Jamie Redwood, as Constance, D’Artagnan’s love interest. Making her memorable and auspicious debut at Idle Muse is the astonishingly multitalented actress, Vanessa Copeland. This terrific young performer winningly plays a number of roles, including Bonacieux, Jane Felton, a swashbuckling swordsman and several more. Other strongly supportive cast members include the always reliable Brendan Hutt (as Laporte), the gifted Erik Schnitger (as both Treville and Lord de Winter), and the stalwart Sam Neel as an essential part of the Combat Ensemble.

In addition to Evan Jackson’s dynamic, fluid staging, kudos also go to Brendan Hutt for his incredibly realistic violence design. The swordplay in this production is simply stupendous and is alone worth the price of admission. Costume designer extraordinaire, Victoria Jablonski, has created the most sumptuous and impressive 17th century wardrobe for this fourteen-member cast. And both Laura J. Wiley’s lighting and LJ Luthringer’s sound design add much to this period production.

The only problem is that the play is both a little long and sometimes feels laborious. This is partly due to Robert Kauzlaric’s episodic script, so faithful to the novel. Especially noticeable in Act II, the scenes are short and uneven. They’re also separated by too many aggravating blackouts. But this is how the production has been staged. Originally commissioned in 2010 by the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, this romantic drama may have flowed more smoothly on a larger stage with more technical capabilities. The short-scene format works better in movies and television, because film editing can seemlessly join unrelated episodes together and, thus, the story becomes more fluent. The choppiness might’ve been improved if the pacing wasn’t interrupted by lowering the lights. The mood becomes broken with every blackout.

Artistic Director Evan Jackson’s exciting new production of THE THREE MUSKETEERS opens with a flourish of capes and the swashbuckling clash of swords. Idle Muse’s impressive twentieth season kicks off with playwright Robert Kauzlaric’s adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic historical tale of romance and intrigue. The production’s stellar and impressive fourteen-member cast is both strong, clever and extremely capable. And, masterfully supported by a talented technical team, everyone connected with THE THREE MUSKETEERS definitely embraces the story’s credo, “One for all and all for one!”      

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 26-April 25 by Idle Muse Theatre Company at The Edge Off-Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the theatre box office, by calling 773-340-9438 or by going to www.IdleMuse.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.