There are times when I go to see a show based more on the reputation of the company than the material itself. The Scarlet Pimpernel at Music Theatre West in Logan is a good example. I think it’s a pretty middle-of-the-road show, but I knew MTW would make it entertaining and that’s just what they did.

If you didn’t know The Scarlet Pimpernel is based on the book by Baroness Orczy. It’s been a popular story for years because it meshes together so many genres- comedy, romance, adventure etc. And even though I think this adaptation is rather bland the source material is strong enough to deliver on all those areas making it an entertaining night for most any audience- young and old.

It’s interesting because my favorite part of this production of The Scarlet Pimpernel doesn’t actually come in until the last scene of the show (rare I know!) but director Melinda Potts Richards has built everything up to make the final fight choreography really work. It was one of the best sword fighting sequences Ive seen on stage ever. Perfectly choreographed (Holden Matthews and Amber Freestone are listed as choreographer but no fight choreographer spefically mentioned in the program.)

Dallin Clark as Percy Blakeney is more effective in the humor than the more heroic or romantic sections. I particularly loved him and his group of silly English lords in “The Creation of Man.” The costumes by Emma Lovan and wigs/hats by Rachel Olsen are also key to making that scene work. They need to be flowery and as silly as possible while still fitting the time and setting. Patrice Weatherston has a very convincing French accent as Maguriette St Just but the best singer of the leads is Nathan Scott as Chauvelin. I almost wish he was in more songs because his singing voice is so lovely. “The Riddle” with all 3 leads singing to close Act 1 is probably the highlight of the night vocally.

It’s a bit unfortunate the most elaborate set of the night is for the guillotine sequences because they aren’t used very much. The rest is fairly standard columns and the bookshelves of Percy’s English estate. The choreography for “They Seek Him Here when Chauvelin and Marguerite are trying to uncover the Pimpernel at the ball with people gaining clues as they dance from partner to partner is extremely effective.

The show is on the long side at 2 hr 50 minutes but it has enough humor and intrigue to make it an entertaining night. Plus, it’s a treat to hear such a great orchestra conduced by Dallas Aksoy. I do think this is weaker than the other shows like Ragtime, Catch Me if You Can or Singin in the Rain I’ve seen at MTW but that’s only because their standard of excellence is so high. The Scarlet Pimpernel is playing through June 28th and tickets can be purchased here.

The Scarlet Pimpernel has music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton based on the novel by Baroness Orczy

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