[NEohioPAL] Berko review: SCARLET PIMPERNEL @Mercury Summerstock

[Roy Berko]

‘SCARLET PIMPERNELL, a pleasant surprise at Mercury Summerstock

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview 
Times

COOLCLEVELAND.COM

What happens when a small budget summer stock theatre, with one professional 
actor in its company, which performs on a postage stamp-sized stage, decides to 
produce a grand musical requiring numerous period correct costumes, a large male 
chorus that can sing, dance and act proficiently, a score that requires a grand 
orchestra sound, leads with very strong near opera quality singing voices, 
quality farce characterizations, French and English accents, and lots of scene 
changes?  In the case of Mercury Summerstock, you get a very creditable 
production.

‘THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL,’ with music by Frank Wildhorn (‘JEKYLL & HYDE’ and ‘THE 
CIVIL WAR’) and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (‘SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER’), is 
based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. The show is set in 
England and France during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution.   It 
concerns an audacious hero and his followers who use "tricks and games" against 
the cruel “citizen leaders.” They leave in their wake their calling card, the 
red, star-shaped wildflower known as the scarlet pimpernel.

The musical has a strange history.  It originally opened in 1997.  The 
production developed a cult following and, in June, shortly before the Tony 
Awards were announced, the show was slated to close. The show's fans known as 
"The League" decided it should have another try.  So, new producers, rewriting, 
a new theatre, and two new leads (Rex Smith and Rachel York), stretched out the 
run until May 30, 1999.

The Mercury production, directed by Pierre-Jacque Brault, generally pleases.  It 
moves along at a good pace.  The singing, especially the male chorus, is 
excellent.  The characterizations are appropriately broad, developing the right 
swash-buckling and farce feeling. The massive number of costumes are period 
correct, thanks to the designer Margaret Ruble.  The orchestra plays well, 
backing up rather than enveloping the singers.  The choreography is excellent 
and generally well done, especially considering the minute size of the stage and 
the required number of performers.  

Creative use of chairs to set up stage divisions and new settings is employed.  
Accents waver, but all in all it’s a good show, especially taking into account 
that this is mainly an amateur cast who put the show together in ten rehearsals.

Jennifer Myor as Marguerite, the female lead, has a fine singing voice and 
develops her character well.  Brian Marshall, the only Equity member in the 
cast, had some vocal problems at the start, but warmed up well as the show 
continued.  His characterization was enjoyably funny.  Shane Patrick O’Neill, 
who possesses an excellent singing voice, was properly villainous in the role of 
Chauvelin.  Ryan Bergeron, as Elton, one of the merry band of Pimpernel 
henchmen, who play affected dandies to cover their real identities, is 
delightful, as are most of the rest of the male chorus.  

Show highlights included:  “Into the Fire,” “When I Look at You,” “Where’s The 
Girl?,” “The Creation of Man,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” and “She Was There.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Mercury Summerstock’s ‘THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, while not 
perfect, is an excellent production of a very difficult show that should please 
most theatre-goers.  You won’t confuse this with the touring production of 
‘PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’ now at the Allen Theatre, but at one-fifth the cost per 
ticket, “The Pimp” is well worth attending.

The show runs through August 21  in the Brooks Theatre at the Cleveland Play 
House.  For tickets call 216-771-5682 or go to mercury summerstock.com

Mercury Summerstock will present the world premiere of ‘CHRISTMAS CAROLYN,’ MSS 
Associate Artistic Director Dan Marshall’s musical comedy send-up of the beloved 
‘CHRISTMAS CAROL’ on December 13 and 14 in the Brooks Theatre of the Cleveland 
Play House.  For information tickets and information call 216-771-5862 or go to 
mercury summerstock.com
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2010, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at 
http://royberko.info
His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to 
subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)