The Scarlet Pimpernel
At The 5th Avenue Theatre
By Dan Larsen, for SeattleInsider.com
Originally published by Cox Interactive Media

Fewer stories feature as many swashes being buckled or ribs being tickled as that of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." This boisterous, fast-paced production follows the adventures and tribulations of the infamously elusive Scarlet Pimpernel, the leader of a small group of English rebels, fighting the tyranny of the French during the revolution.

In France, a sword-fighting hero to the people, and thorn in the side of the execution-happy chappies of the French Republic; in England, an aristrocratic fop, filling his days with cricket, fine fabrics and afternoon tea, frequenting the royal palace as Sir Percy Blakeney by day, but planning his next series of rouses and "tricks and games" against the Republic by night.

By far, the stand-out performance of this comedy musical is that of Douglas Sills as Percy/The Pimpernel, equally adept at the jut-jawed hero as he is at the rapier-tongued, narcissistic philanderer. He struts, strides and dances through a variety of personas at such pace and with such apparent ease -- at one point looking more Priscilla than Pimpernel in an amusingly camp scene -- that you can't help but be sucker-punched by his knowing wink of a charm. It is easy to see why he garnered so many accolades for his original tour of duty in the role, including a Tony and Drama Desk award.

William Paul Michals, certainly no stranger to the darker on-stage roles, with the Phantom, "Beauty and the Beast" and "Les Miserables" under his belt, also turns in a deliciously sinister performance as the Pimpernel's Republic nemesis, Chauvelin. He swings from the full-size guillotine on stage, oozing seductive allure in his gusto for head-chopping machinations.

Robert Longbottom's direction and choreography moves with such seamless, Broadway production quality that you sometimes don't even notice how the action suddenly changes from the rolling hills of England to the dank, cobbled streets of blood-soaked Paris. Entire sections of the cast and set blend unfettered in and out of sight through skilled use of lighting and swift prop rotation.

And finally, while composer Frank Wildhorn's spirited tunes and Nan Knighton's lyrics probably won't be filling too many heads the next day, they certainly compliment the framework of the story nicely and give room for the leads to shine in their singing ventures without detracting from the pace. 

$21 - $50 tickets to The Scarlet Pimpernel are available from Tickets.com or by calling (206) 292 ARTS.

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