The Scarlet Pimpernel (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a musical with music by Frank Wildhorn
and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton
, 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
. The story is a precursor to the spy fiction
and the superhero
genres, where a hero hides under a mild-mannered alias.
The musical ran on Broadway
from 1997 through January 2000 in several theatres, in several revised versions. It also had a US National tour.
as Marguerite and directed by Nick Corley, following a concept album (and Top 40 Adult Contemporary Hit - "You Are My Home").
The musical debuted on Broadway
at the Minskoff Theatre
on October 7, 1997 in previews, officially on November 9, 1997. Directed by Peter H. Hunt
, it starred Douglas Sills
(Sir Percy Blakeney), Christine Andreas
(Marguerite), Marine Jahan
(Madame St. Cyr), Tim Shew (St. Cyr), Elizabeth Ward (Marie), Philip Hoffman (Tussaud), James Judy (Dewhurst), Sandy Rosenberg (Lady Digby), Pamela Burrell (Lady Llewellyn), Gilles Chiasson
(Armand St. Just), Ed Dixon
(Ozzy), Allen Fitzpatrick (Farleigh), Bill Bowers
(Leggett), Adam Pelty (Elton), Ron Sharpe (Hal), William Thomas Evans (Hastings), Dave Clemmons (Ben), R.F. Daley (Neville), David Cromwell (Robespierre/Prince of Wales/Fisherman), Ken Labey (Grappin), Eric Bennyhoff (Coupeau), Jeff Gardner (Mercier), James Dybas (Jessup), Melissa Hart (Helene), Alison Lory (Chloe), and Terrence Mann
(Citizen Chauvelin
).
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. With falling ticket sales, the show ushered in new producers and reopened with Sills and two new leads, Rex Smith
and Rachel York
and a vastly rearranged production in October 1998 (a year after the previous opening). The show closed at the Minskoff Theatre
on May 30, 1999. It had a mini-tour of a scaled-down version in the Summer of 1999 with three new leads. The revised version (called the 3.0 version) opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre
on September 7, 1999, closing on January 2, 2000 for a grand total of 772 performances and 39 previews. The cast starred Ron Bohmer, Marc Kudisch
and Carolee Carmello
. Like Wildhorn's two other big budget Broadway efforts (Jekyll & Hyde
and The Civil War
), the musical closed having lost money.
A US National tour began on February 20, 2000 through April 1, 2001, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with Douglas Sills re-creating his role and with Amy Bodnar as Marguerite and William Paul Michals as Chauvelin. Sills was replaced by Robert Patteri and finally Ron Bohmer.
The musical has had numerous regional US productions and has been produced in Germany
, Finland
, the Netherlands
, United Kingdom
, Ireland
, Sweden
, Canada
, Mexico
, Malta
, and Norway
, among others.
It has also been produced by the Japanese Takarazuka Revue
under the guidance of Frank Wildhorn, which had previously commissioned Never Say Goodbye
from Wildhorn in 2006. The show ran from June to October 2008 and was performed by the group's Star Troupe. It starred Kei Aran
as Percy, Asuka Tono
as Marguerite, and Reon Yuzuki
as Chauvelin. In the spring of 2010, it will be performed again by the Revue, this time by Moon Troupe. Hiromu Kiriya and Yuki Aono will star as Percy and Marguerite, respectively, with Masaki Ryuu and Rio Asumi double-cast as Chauvelin.
Original Broadway Cast Album (1998)
Encore! Album (1999)
German Highlights (2003)
Austrian Highlights (2007)
Norwegian Cast (2008)
Hungarian Promo (2007)
Act 1
The play opens at La Comedie Française, an elegant theatre where Marguerite St. Just is performing in her final show ("Storybook"). As she announces to the crowd her marriage to Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English aristocrat, Citizen Chauvelin, a fanatical agent of the French republican revolutionaries, closes the theatre, before the performance is finished. The two leave for England, and Citizen Chauvelin oversees several executions by guillotine
in the miserable streets of Paris ("Madame Guillotine"). Percy and Marguerite wed in England ("You Are My Home"). However, on the night of their wedding, Percy learns that his wife betrayed his friend the Marquis de St. Cyr to the revolutionary government, ultimately leading to the Marquis' execution by guillotine ("Prayer"). The Blakeneys' marriage grows cold and Percy determines to make amends for his friend's death by saving other innocents from the guillotine. He takes on the identity of "the Scarlet Pimpernel" and convinces some of his friends (subsequently called "bounders") to join him in his daring rescue attempts ("Into the Fire"). The band pretend to be inane fop
s, effectively throwing off any suspicions about the identity of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The League rescues several potential victims of the guillotine in Paris the following day ("The Rescue"). Chauvelin is sent to England with orders from Robespierre to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel ("Falcon in the Dive"). He departs for England, in hope that Marguerite will help him once more.
Marie, Marguerite's old costume designer and best friend, is painting Percy's portrait. Marguerite cannot seem to understand how he is so drastically different from the man whom she married ("When I Look At You"). She excuses herself when talk of the Pimpernel comes to fluster and bewilder the women in her parlor ("The Scarlet Pimpernel"). Armand, Marguerite's brother and a secret member of the League, tells her that he is leaving; upset because he is the only one whom Marguerite feels she can fully trust, she begs him to stay, but he leaves ("You Are My Home(Reprise)"). Percy looks out of his balcony to see her in awe, yet at the same time confused at how he should act around her ("When I Look At You (Reprise)"). Chauvelin enters and attempts to convince her to join him in his mission to snatch the Pimpernel, who the French believe is a member of their circle ("Where's the Girl?"). She tells him to leave.
Percy and the league are getting ready for the big ball the following evening. He tells them it is a man's duty to dress elegantly and flamboyantly, and they all display the latest fashion ("The Creation of Man"). Marguerite receives a note from Chauvelin, now standing in the house, who enlists her aid, threatening to have her captured brother Armand guillotined if she refuses ("Marguerite's Dilemma"). Confused, she is unsure if she can trust him. Chauvelin is unsure that he can trust her; furthermore, can Percy trust his wife whom he sees speaking to Chauvelin? ("The Riddle")
Act 2
At Lord Grenville's Ball, Percy and the others discuss the Pimpernel, whom they all know is there that evening, but whose identity will not be revealed ("The Scarlet Pimpernel"). He then tells them a poem he has created in honor of the Pimpernel ("They Seek Him Here").
Marguerite leaves to have a conversation with the Scarlet Pimpernel, who remains hidden in the shadows, keeping his identity concealed. She tells him of Chauvelin's plans and explains that she betrayed the Marquis de St. Cyr under coercion. The Scarlet Pimpernel, Percy, now understands why he has loved Marguerite all along - and that she has remained the same ("She Was There"). The league then sets out for France in order to save Armand.
Still unaware of the Pimpernel's identity, Marguerite does the same. Disguised as a tart
, Marguerite attempts to uncover information about her brother, but is quickly recognized and apprehended by Chauvelin ("Storybook (Reprise)"). While Chauvelin admires her courageous efforts, he is angry that she was defying his threats, and sends her to prison ("Where's the Girl? (Reprise)").
Marguerite finds her brother Armand in prison, and the two console each other; Armand assures her that The Pimpernel will save them. Refusing to believe that the Pimpernel or anyone will save them, she mourns the loss of Percy and of her life ("I'll Forget You"). However, Chauvelin allows the two to escape, knowing that Armand will head for the hide-out of the Scarlet Pimpernel. The league meets with Percy, Marie, and Tussaud to try to find a way to save Marguerite and Armand. Percy wants to go alone but the bounders convince him to let them help ("Into the Fire(Reprise)"). They find Chauvelin in a town on the French coast, where Marguerite learns her husband's true identity ("Armand and Marguerite Escape Prison").
Chauvelin confronts the Scarlet Pimpernel, Percy, in a duel. Marguerite steps in several times to help Percy, but Chauvelin still wins ("The Duel"). Percy is then immediately sentenced to the guillotine. However, he outwits Chauvelin one last time - Marie (who having married Tussaud is revealed to be Marie Tussaud
) has created a fake wax head to fool Chauvelin.
Percy, Marguerite, Armand, and the Bounders escape safely to England, after tying Chauvelin up and "revealing" him to be the Pimpernel. Marguerite and Percy confide in each other the true love that they have always had for each other ("When I Look at You (Reprise)").
(**) five principal vocal parts
(*) eight sub-principal vocal parts
Act II
However, changes were made to the song list after a number of previews on Broadway:
Act I
Act II
SP 1.0 : The Original Broadway Cast (Minskoff)
Character
Actor
SP 2.0 : The Replacement Broadway Cast (Minskoff)
Character
Actor
SP 3.0 : The Neil Simon Theatre Broadway Cast
Character
Actor
SP 4.0 : The National Tour
Character
Actor
Drama Desk Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
Theatre World Award
Frank Wildhorn
Frank Wildhorn is an American composer known for both his musicals and popular songs. He is most known for his musical Jekyll & Hyde, which ran four years on Broadway, and for writing the #1 International Hit song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" for Whitney Houston.-Early years:Wildhorn was born in...
and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton
Nan Knighton
-Biography:Knighton is the daughter of Dr. Donald Proctor, a physician and his wife, Janice, an artist. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she is a 1965 graduate of Bryn Mawr School, with an undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College and a master's degree in creative writing from Boston...
, based on the novel of the same name
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a play and adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution. The story is a precursor to the "disguised superhero" tales such as Zorro and Batman....
by Baroness Orczy
Baroness Orczy
Baroness Emma Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála "Emmuska" Orczy de Orczi was a British novelist, playwright and artist of Hungarian noble origin. She was most notable for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel...
. The show is set in England and France during the Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror , also known simply as The Terror , was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of...
of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The story is a precursor to the spy fiction
Spy fiction
Spy fiction, literature concerning the forms of espionage, was a sub-genre derived from the novel during the nineteenth century, which then evolved into a discrete genre before the First World War , when governments established modern intelligence agencies in the early twentieth century...
and the superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
genres, where a hero hides under a mild-mannered alias.
The musical ran on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
from 1997 through January 2000 in several theatres, in several revised versions. It also had a US National tour.
Productions
The Scarlet Pimpernel started as a workshop with Carolee CarmelloCarolee Carmello
Carolee Carmello is an American actress best known for her performances in Broadway musicals.She made her Broadway debut in a small role in City of Angels...
as Marguerite and directed by Nick Corley, following a concept album (and Top 40 Adult Contemporary Hit - "You Are My Home").
The musical debuted on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Minskoff Theatre
Minskoff Theatre
The Minskoff Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre, located at 1515 Broadway in midtown-Manhattan. It is now showing the musical The Lion King, based on the Disney animated film of the same name....
on October 7, 1997 in previews, officially on November 9, 1997. Directed by Peter H. Hunt
Peter H. Hunt
Peter Huls Hunt is an American theatre, film, and television director and a theatrical lighting designer.Hunt was born in Pasadena, California, the son of Gertrude and George Smith Hunt II, a Minnesota-born industrial designer. Hunt began his career as a lighting designer at the Williamstown...
, it starred Douglas Sills
Douglas Sills
-Life and career:Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Franklin, where he was friends with both Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Sills attended Cranbrook School, from which he graduated in 1978, and the University of Michigan where he majored in music...
(Sir Percy Blakeney), Christine Andreas
Christine Andreas
-Biography:BroadwayAndreas was born in Camden, New Jersey. She made her Broadway debut in a 1975 revival of Angel Street. The following year she was cast as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady, for which she received the Theatre World Award...
(Marguerite), Marine Jahan
Marine Jahan
Marine Jahan is a French actress most widely known for having doubled for Jennifer Beals in the 1983 movie Flashdance. At the time of its release, Jahan's role in the movie was controversial for several reasons...
(Madame St. Cyr), Tim Shew (St. Cyr), Elizabeth Ward (Marie), Philip Hoffman (Tussaud), James Judy (Dewhurst), Sandy Rosenberg (Lady Digby), Pamela Burrell (Lady Llewellyn), Gilles Chiasson
Gilles Chiasson
Gilles Chiasson is an American producer, director, composer, writer and actor. While he first came to prominence as an actor, particularly in the original cast of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning RENT, Chiasson now focuses on film and television development...
(Armand St. Just), Ed Dixon
Ed Dixon
Ed Dixon is an American character actor, playwright and composer, who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including No, No, Nanette, King of Schnorrers, The Three Musketeers, Les Misérables, Cyrano, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Iceman Cometh, The Best Man, How the Grinch Stole Christmas ,...
(Ozzy), Allen Fitzpatrick (Farleigh), Bill Bowers
Bill Bowers
Bill Bowers is an American mime artist and actor based in New York City. As an actor, mime and educator, Bill has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe...
(Leggett), Adam Pelty (Elton), Ron Sharpe (Hal), William Thomas Evans (Hastings), Dave Clemmons (Ben), R.F. Daley (Neville), David Cromwell (Robespierre/Prince of Wales/Fisherman), Ken Labey (Grappin), Eric Bennyhoff (Coupeau), Jeff Gardner (Mercier), James Dybas (Jessup), Melissa Hart (Helene), Alison Lory (Chloe), and Terrence Mann
Terrence Mann
Terrence Vaughan Mann is an American actor, director, singer, songwriter and dancer who has been prominent on the Broadway stage for the past three decades...
(Citizen Chauvelin
Citizen Chauvelin
Citizen Armand Chauvelin is the villain in Baroness Emmuska Orczy's classic novel The Scarlet Pimpernel and the various plays and movies derived from the work....
).
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. With falling ticket sales, the show ushered in new producers and reopened with Sills and two new leads, Rex Smith
Rex Smith
Rex Smith is an American actor and singer. Smith debuted in the Broadway play Grease in 1978. He is noted for his role as Jesse Mach in the 1985 television series Street Hawk, as well as being a singer and stage actor. During the late 1970s, Smith was popular as a teen idol...
and Rachel York
Rachel York
Rachel York is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in City of Angels, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les Misérables, Victor Victoria, Kiss Me, Kate, Sly Fox, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...
and a vastly rearranged production in October 1998 (a year after the previous opening). The show closed at the Minskoff Theatre
Minskoff Theatre
The Minskoff Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre, located at 1515 Broadway in midtown-Manhattan. It is now showing the musical The Lion King, based on the Disney animated film of the same name....
on May 30, 1999. It had a mini-tour of a scaled-down version in the Summer of 1999 with three new leads. The revised version (called the 3.0 version) opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre
Neil Simon Theatre
The Neil Simon Theatre, formerly the Alvin Theatre, is a Broadway venue built in 1927 and located at 250 West 52nd Street in midtown-Manhattan....
on September 7, 1999, closing on January 2, 2000 for a grand total of 772 performances and 39 previews. The cast starred Ron Bohmer, Marc Kudisch
Marc Kudisch
Marc Kudisch is an American stage actor, who is best known for his musical theatre roles on Broadway.-Early life and education:...
and Carolee Carmello
Carolee Carmello
Carolee Carmello is an American actress best known for her performances in Broadway musicals.She made her Broadway debut in a small role in City of Angels...
. Like Wildhorn's two other big budget Broadway efforts (Jekyll & Hyde
Jekyll & Hyde (musical)
Jekyll & Hyde is a musical based on the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music is by Wildhorn and the lyrics and book are by Leslie Bricusse.The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543...
and The Civil War
The Civil War (musical)
The Civil War is a musical written by Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and music by Wildhorn. The musical centers on the American Civil War, with the musical numbers portraying the war through Union, Confederate, and slave viewpoints. The musical was nominated for a Tony...
), the musical closed having lost money.
A US National tour began on February 20, 2000 through April 1, 2001, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with Douglas Sills re-creating his role and with Amy Bodnar as Marguerite and William Paul Michals as Chauvelin. Sills was replaced by Robert Patteri and finally Ron Bohmer.
The musical has had numerous regional US productions and has been produced in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, among others.
It has also been produced by the Japanese Takarazuka Revue
Takarazuka Revue
The Takarazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical theater troupe based in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish, Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals, and sometimes stories adapted from shōjo manga and Japanese folktales. The troupe takes its name...
under the guidance of Frank Wildhorn, which had previously commissioned Never Say Goodbye
Never Say Goodbye (musical)
Never Say Goodbye is a musical with a book and lyrics by Shûichirô Koike and music by Frank Wildhorn. It was written specifically for Takarazuka Revue, the all-female Japanese theatre company...
from Wildhorn in 2006. The show ran from June to October 2008 and was performed by the group's Star Troupe. It starred Kei Aran
Kei Aran
, , is a Japanese actress and former top star otokoyaku of the Japanese Takarazuka Revue's Star Troupe. She joined the revue in 1991 and became the top star in 2007, five years after her fellow classmates Sumire Haruno and Hikaru Asami became top stars...
as Percy, Asuka Tono
Asuka Tono
Asuka Tono is an actress who a top star for Star Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the revue company in 1998 and became the top star along with Kei Aran...
as Marguerite, and Reon Yuzuki
Reon Yuzuki
is a Japanese actress in Star Troupe of the Takarazuka Revue, in which she specializes in playing male parts . She joined the revue in 1999 and became the top star in 2009. She is called Chie from her real name.-General information:...
as Chauvelin. In the spring of 2010, it will be performed again by the Revue, this time by Moon Troupe. Hiromu Kiriya and Yuki Aono will star as Percy and Marguerite, respectively, with Masaki Ryuu and Rio Asumi double-cast as Chauvelin.
Commercial recordings
Concept Album (1992)- Features Chuck WagnerChuck WagnerChuck Wagner is an American actor, Director, Musical Theatre Historian, and Teacher.-Education and early career:Wagner was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Hartsville, Tennessee. He attended public school in Gallatin, TN...
as Percy, Linda EderLinda EderLinda Eder is an American singer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde, for which she received 1997 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominations, as well as the Theatre World Award for Best Actress in a Musical...
as Marguerite and David Clemmons as Chauvelin. Orchestrations on this album are more contemporary versions than are found in other recordings of the show. Songs that are exclusive to this release are: "Home Again," "Marguerite" (Substituted later for "Where's The Girl?"), "Now When The Rain Falls," "Our Separate Ways" and "There Never Was A Time."
Original Broadway Cast Album (1998)
- Features Douglas SillsDouglas Sills-Life and career:Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Franklin, where he was friends with both Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Sills attended Cranbrook School, from which he graduated in 1978, and the University of Michigan where he majored in music...
as Percy, Christine AndreasChristine Andreas-Biography:BroadwayAndreas was born in Camden, New Jersey. She made her Broadway debut in a 1975 revival of Angel Street. The following year she was cast as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady, for which she received the Theatre World Award...
as Marguerite and Terrence MannTerrence MannTerrence Vaughan Mann is an American actor, director, singer, songwriter and dancer who has been prominent on the Broadway stage for the past three decades...
as Chauvelin. This recording has songs from the first version of the Broadway production which had some major alterations later on.
Encore! Album (1999)
- Features the same cast as the OBC Album. Only four songs were re-recorded for this album. Rex SmithRex SmithRex Smith is an American actor and singer. Smith debuted in the Broadway play Grease in 1978. He is noted for his role as Jesse Mach in the 1985 television series Street Hawk, as well as being a singer and stage actor. During the late 1970s, Smith was popular as a teen idol...
recorded "Where's The Girl" and "Falcon In The Dive" while Rachel YorkRachel YorkRachel York is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in City of Angels, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les Misérables, Victor Victoria, Kiss Me, Kate, Sly Fox, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...
sings "Storybook" and "I'll Forget You." Also included are two songs from the concept album, "You Are My Home" and "Only Love."
German Highlights (2003)
- Features Christoph Goetten as Percy, Ann-Christin Elverum as Marguerite and Christopher Murray as Chauvelin.
- See: http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/5205
Austrian Highlights (2007)
- See: http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/7787
Norwegian Cast (2008)
- See: http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/12632
Demo/Promotional recordings
Pre-Broadway Demo (1996)- Features Chuck WagnerChuck WagnerChuck Wagner is an American actor, Director, Musical Theatre Historian, and Teacher.-Education and early career:Wagner was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Hartsville, Tennessee. He attended public school in Gallatin, TN...
as Percy, Linda EderLinda EderLinda Eder is an American singer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde, for which she received 1997 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominations, as well as the Theatre World Award for Best Actress in a Musical...
as Marguerite and Michael Lanning as Chauvelin. Similar to the concept recording above but with a few new songs and orchestrations that aren't in the contemporary style that the concept recording featured. Rob EvanRob EvanRob Evan is a singer and actor, best known as a lead performer in numerous Broadway musicals, a performer in national and international tours of musical productions, and a featured vocalist on several music albums.-Personal:...
and others also sang on this demo. The one song exclusive to this release is "High Time." - See: http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/6619
Hungarian Promo (2007)
- See: http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/6802
Plot
The following is the current version, The Scarlet Pimpernel 4.0.Act 1
The play opens at La Comedie Française, an elegant theatre where Marguerite St. Just is performing in her final show ("Storybook"). As she announces to the crowd her marriage to Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English aristocrat, Citizen Chauvelin, a fanatical agent of the French republican revolutionaries, closes the theatre, before the performance is finished. The two leave for England, and Citizen Chauvelin oversees several executions by guillotine
Guillotine
The guillotine is a device used for carrying out :executions by decapitation. It consists of a tall upright frame from which an angled blade is suspended. This blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the head from the body...
in the miserable streets of Paris ("Madame Guillotine"). Percy and Marguerite wed in England ("You Are My Home"). However, on the night of their wedding, Percy learns that his wife betrayed his friend the Marquis de St. Cyr to the revolutionary government, ultimately leading to the Marquis' execution by guillotine ("Prayer"). The Blakeneys' marriage grows cold and Percy determines to make amends for his friend's death by saving other innocents from the guillotine. He takes on the identity of "the Scarlet Pimpernel" and convinces some of his friends (subsequently called "bounders") to join him in his daring rescue attempts ("Into the Fire"). The band pretend to be inane fop
Fop
Fop became a pejorative term for a foolish man over-concerned with his appearance and clothes in 17th century England. Some of the very many similar alternative terms are: "coxcomb", fribble, "popinjay" , fashion-monger, and "ninny"...
s, effectively throwing off any suspicions about the identity of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The League rescues several potential victims of the guillotine in Paris the following day ("The Rescue"). Chauvelin is sent to England with orders from Robespierre to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel ("Falcon in the Dive"). He departs for England, in hope that Marguerite will help him once more.
Marie, Marguerite's old costume designer and best friend, is painting Percy's portrait. Marguerite cannot seem to understand how he is so drastically different from the man whom she married ("When I Look At You"). She excuses herself when talk of the Pimpernel comes to fluster and bewilder the women in her parlor ("The Scarlet Pimpernel"). Armand, Marguerite's brother and a secret member of the League, tells her that he is leaving; upset because he is the only one whom Marguerite feels she can fully trust, she begs him to stay, but he leaves ("You Are My Home(Reprise)"). Percy looks out of his balcony to see her in awe, yet at the same time confused at how he should act around her ("When I Look At You (Reprise)"). Chauvelin enters and attempts to convince her to join him in his mission to snatch the Pimpernel, who the French believe is a member of their circle ("Where's the Girl?"). She tells him to leave.
Percy and the league are getting ready for the big ball the following evening. He tells them it is a man's duty to dress elegantly and flamboyantly, and they all display the latest fashion ("The Creation of Man"). Marguerite receives a note from Chauvelin, now standing in the house, who enlists her aid, threatening to have her captured brother Armand guillotined if she refuses ("Marguerite's Dilemma"). Confused, she is unsure if she can trust him. Chauvelin is unsure that he can trust her; furthermore, can Percy trust his wife whom he sees speaking to Chauvelin? ("The Riddle")
Act 2
At Lord Grenville's Ball, Percy and the others discuss the Pimpernel, whom they all know is there that evening, but whose identity will not be revealed ("The Scarlet Pimpernel"). He then tells them a poem he has created in honor of the Pimpernel ("They Seek Him Here").
Marguerite leaves to have a conversation with the Scarlet Pimpernel, who remains hidden in the shadows, keeping his identity concealed. She tells him of Chauvelin's plans and explains that she betrayed the Marquis de St. Cyr under coercion. The Scarlet Pimpernel, Percy, now understands why he has loved Marguerite all along - and that she has remained the same ("She Was There"). The league then sets out for France in order to save Armand.
Still unaware of the Pimpernel's identity, Marguerite does the same. Disguised as a tart
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, Marguerite attempts to uncover information about her brother, but is quickly recognized and apprehended by Chauvelin ("Storybook (Reprise)"). While Chauvelin admires her courageous efforts, he is angry that she was defying his threats, and sends her to prison ("Where's the Girl? (Reprise)").
Marguerite finds her brother Armand in prison, and the two console each other; Armand assures her that The Pimpernel will save them. Refusing to believe that the Pimpernel or anyone will save them, she mourns the loss of Percy and of her life ("I'll Forget You"). However, Chauvelin allows the two to escape, knowing that Armand will head for the hide-out of the Scarlet Pimpernel. The league meets with Percy, Marie, and Tussaud to try to find a way to save Marguerite and Armand. Percy wants to go alone but the bounders convince him to let them help ("Into the Fire(Reprise)"). They find Chauvelin in a town on the French coast, where Marguerite learns her husband's true identity ("Armand and Marguerite Escape Prison").
Chauvelin confronts the Scarlet Pimpernel, Percy, in a duel. Marguerite steps in several times to help Percy, but Chauvelin still wins ("The Duel"). Percy is then immediately sentenced to the guillotine. However, he outwits Chauvelin one last time - Marie (who having married Tussaud is revealed to be Marie Tussaud
Marie Tussaud
Anna Maria Tussaud was an artist known for her wax sculptures and Madame Tussaud's, the wax museum she founded in London.- Biography :...
) has created a fake wax head to fool Chauvelin.
Percy, Marguerite, Armand, and the Bounders escape safely to England, after tying Chauvelin up and "revealing" him to be the Pimpernel. Marguerite and Percy confide in each other the true love that they have always had for each other ("When I Look at You (Reprise)").
Characters
- Marguerite St.Just**
- Percy Blakeney** (Grappin & The Scarlet Pimpernel)
- Chauvelin**
- Armand St.Just**
- Marie Grosholtz**
- St. Cyr*
- Tussaud
- Mercier (aid to Chauvelin)
- Coupeau (aid to Chauvelin)
- Jessup (Butler to Percy)
- Ozzy* (Bounder)
- Dewhurst* (Bounder)
- Elton* (Bounder)
- Farleigh* (Bounder)
- Hal* (Bounder)
- Ben* (Bounder)
- Prince of Wales*
- Robespierre
- Sentry (Royal Palace)
- SATB Chorus - Cupids of the Comedie Française, Soldiers, Prisoners, Paris Street Mob, Royal Ball Guests, Six Girl Servants at the Blakeney Estate
(**) five principal vocal parts
(*) eight sub-principal vocal parts
Songs
Act I- Overture - Orchestra
- Madame Guillotine - Citizens of Paris and Prisoners
- Believe - Percy Blakeney, Marguerite St. Just and British Chorus
- Vivez! - Marguerite St. Just, Lady Digby, Lady Llewellyn and Percy Blakeney
- Prayer - Percy Blakeney
- Into The Fire - Percy Blakeney and Percy's Men
- Falcon in the Dive - Chauvelin
- When I Look At You - Marguerite St. Just
- The Scarlet Pimpernel - Percy Blakeney, Marguerite St. Just, Marie, Armand St. Just, Lady Digby, Lady Llewellyn and Servants
- Where's the Girl? - Chauvelin
- When I Look At You (Reprise) - Percy Blakeney
- The Creation of Man - Percy Blakeney, Prince of Wales and Percy's Men
- Marguerite's Dilemma - Orchestra
- The Riddle - Chauvelin, Marguerite St. Just and Percy Blakeney
Act II
- Entr'acte - Orchestra
- They Seek Him Here - Percy Blakeney, Prince of Wales, Lady Digby and Lady Llewellyn
- Only Love - Marguerite St. Just
- She Was There - Percy Blakeney
- Storybook - Leontine and French Chorus
- Where's the Girl? (Reprise) - Chauvelin
- Lullaby - Helene and Chloe
- You Are My Home - Marguerite St. Just, Armand St. Just and French Prisoners
- The Duel - Orchestra
- Believe (Reprise) - Company
- Bows / Into the Fire (Reprise) - Company
However, changes were made to the song list after a number of previews on Broadway:
Act I
- Overture - Orchestra
- Storybook - Marguerite & Ensemble
- Madame Guillotine - Chauvelin, St. Cyr & Ensemble
- You Are My Home - Percy, Marguerite & Ensemble
- Prayer - Percy
- Into The Fire - Percy, Armand, Ozzy, Dewhurst, Elton, Farleigh, Hal & Ben
- Falcon In The Dive - Chauvelin
- Scarlet Pimpernel Transition - Percy, Marie, Marguerite & Girls
- When I Look At You - Marguerite
- When I Look At You (Reprise) - Percy & Marguerite
- Where's The Girl? - Chauvelin
- You Are My Home (Reprise) - Marguerite & Armand
- The Creation of Man - Percy, Ozzy, Dewhurst, Elton, Farleigh, Hal & Ben
- Marguerite's Dilemma - Orchestra
- The Riddle - Chauvelin, Marguerite, Percy & Ensemble
Act II
- Entr'acte - Orchestra
- Opening Act II - Percy, Marguerite & Ensemble
- They Seek Him Here - Percy, Marguerite, Chauvelin, Elton, Farleigh, Dewhurst, Ozzy, Prince of Wales & Ensemble
- She Was There - Percy
- Storybook (Bistro Reprise) - Marguerite & Ensemble
- Where's The Girl? (Reprise) - Chauvelin
- Into The Fire (Reprise) - Ozzy, Dewhurst, Farleigh, Elton, Hal & Ben
- I'll Forget You - Marguerite
- The Duel - Orchestra
- Finale/When I Look At You (Reprise) - Marguerite, Percy & Ensemble
- Bows/Into The Fire (Reprise) - Percy & Company
- Exit Music - Orchestra
Cast Lists
(Roles are listed in order of importance)SP 1.0 : The Original Broadway Cast (Minskoff)
Character
- Percy
- Marguerite
- Chauvelin
- Armand St. Just
- Robespierre / Prince of Wales
- Marie
Actor
- Douglas Sills
- Christine Andreas
- Terrence Mann
- Gilles ChiassonGilles ChiassonGilles Chiasson is an American producer, director, composer, writer and actor. While he first came to prominence as an actor, particularly in the original cast of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning RENT, Chiasson now focuses on film and television development...
- David Cromwell
- Elizabeth Ward Land
SP 2.0 : The Replacement Broadway Cast (Minskoff)
Character
- Percy
- Marguerite
- Chauvelin
- Marie
- Robespierre / Prince of Wales
- Armand
Actor
- Douglas Sills
- Rachel York
- Rex Smith
- Elizabeth Ward Land
- David Cromwell
- James Bohanek
SP 3.0 : The Neil Simon Theatre Broadway Cast
Character
- Percy
- Marguerite
- Chauvelin
- Marie
- Robespierre / Prince of Wales
- Armand
Actor
- Ron Bohmer
- Carolee Carmello
- Marc Kudisch
- Elizabeth Ward Land
- David Cromwell
- Kirk McDonald
SP 4.0 : The National Tour
Character
- Percy
- Marguerite
- Chauvelin
- Marie
- Robespierre / Prince of Wales
- Armand
Actor
- Douglas Sills / Robert Patteri / Ron Bohmer
- Amy Bodnar
- William Michals
- Elizabeth Ward Land
- David Cromwell
- Billy Sharpe
Awards and nominations
Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
- Tony Award for Best MusicalTony Award for Best MusicalThis is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack...
- Produced by Pierre Cossette, Bill Haber, Hallmark Entertainment, Ted Forstmann, Kathleen Raitt (Nominated) - Tony Award for Best Book of a MusicalTony Award for Best Book of a MusicalThe Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical is awarded to librettists of the spoken, non-sung dialogue, and storyline of a musical play. Eligibility is restricted to works with original narrative framework; plotless revues and revivals are ineligible...
- Nan Knighton (Nominated) - Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical - Douglas Sills (Nominated)
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
- Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Douglas Sills (Nominated) - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music - Frank Wildhorn (Nominated)
Outer Critics Circle Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
- Outer Critics Circle AwardOuter Critics Circle AwardThe Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
for Best Actor - Douglas Sills (Nominated) - Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical (Nominated)
- Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Costumes - Jane Greenwood (Nominated)
- Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Lighting - Natasha Katz (Nominated)
Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Theatre World AwardTheatre World AwardThe Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Douglas Sills (WINNER)