The Fourth Walsh

Idle Muse Theatre presents THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

D’Artagnan arrives in Paris primed to become a Musketeer. He has dreamed of this vocation and believes this his honor and abilities warrant service to the King. Before his admission is complete, D’Artagnan is robbed, falls in love, learns of a treasonous act and is challenged to dual each of the legendary Muskeeters; Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Although the Muskeeters are drunk, broke and disenchanted, they still are up for a fight.

    Alexandre Dumas penned a complex tale of chivalry, romance, duplicity, revenge and employee burnout. Playwright Robert Kauzlaric adapts the robust novel for the stage. Having seen Kauzlaric’s premiere on Lifeline’s stage over a decade ago, the comedic tone still stands out for me. His script was riddled with one liners. In Act 2, Kauzlaric’s series of quick scenes leading to the finale seem to poke fun of Dumas’ plethora of twists. It feels campy. Those THREE MUSKETEERS were in it for the fun of it.                 

Director Evan Jackson takes a more serious tone in this production. He has the cast deliver their lines with French accents. The choice is ambitious. Instead of adding a layer of authenticity and flair, it’s distracting. The wit goes unappreciated buried under the French syntax. Jackson does fills the stage with personality and swashbuckling. The fairly large ensemble are impressive in their agility to fight 4-on-4 on Idle’s intimate stage (Libby Beyreis and Brendan Hutt -violence directors).

At the heart of the story is the bromance of the musketeers, Troy Schaeflein (D’Artagnan), Jack Sharkey (Athos), Boomer Lusink (Porthos), Xavier Lagunas (Aramis). Sharkey, Lusink and Lagunas provide little-brother-guidance to an earnest Schaeflein. They shower Schaeflein with their wisdom from different perspectives and experiences. While Sharkey is an intense hot mess, Lusink is more playful and posh and Lagunas is reserved and reverent. The endearing Schaeflein becomes more supportive than supported. He ends up charming them, Constance (played by Jamie Redwood) and the audience with his love-at-first-sight innocence and his belief in noble causes. There is truly a sweetness anchored in camaraderie in the telling of this tale.             

THE THREE MUSKEETERS is a classic. There is something so satisfying about a group of people united together through passionate pursuits. Am I talking about the play or Idle Muse? Yes!  All for one and one for all!

Running Time: Two hours and forty minutes includes an intermission

At The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa

Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas

Written by Robert Kauzlaric

Directed by Evan Jackson

Performances are:

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm

Sundays at 3pm

Thru April 25

For more information or tickets

Photography by Steven Townshend, Distant Era

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