The Three Musketeers

Villains glower and plot, scoundrels are run through and the valiant musketeers—as well as a sword-swinging little sister—conquer all in Sacramento Shakespeare Festival's production of Ken Ludwig's adaptation of The Three Musketeers. With colorful costumes, broadly drawn characters, plenty of humor and a sword fight approximately every seven minutes, this show is exactly why the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is a community treasure, especially for families hoping to introduce their children to live theater.

Director Christine Nicholson keeps things moving at a rapid clip, as befits an all-out action-adventure. Earnest, young d'Artagnan (Aaron Kitchin), prepared by his father for membership in the exclusive musketeers, is off to Paris with a letter of recommendation. He's also tasked with delivering his spunky, sword-swinging little sister, Sabine (Julianna Camille Hess), to a convent for her education. Of course, they're barely out of Gascony before the pair run afoul of swordsmen in the employ of the evil Cardinal Richelieu, and d'Artagnan isn't in Paris three minutes before he's offended Porthos (Alejandro Padilla), Athos (Paj Crank) and Aramis (Elliot Herzer), the legendary trio of musketeers.

But they quickly become fast friends and unite to thwart the nasty plots of the cardinal (Mike Sicilia, a scenery-chewing Mr. Burns of a villain) and his henchwoman, Milady (Dale Lisa Flint, in a performance reminiscent of Glenn Close's Cruella De Vil).

A big congratulations goes to fight choreographer Jes Gonzales, who's got actors swinging swords, knives, fists and blunt objects. And it's not all testosterone in action, either; one of the best battle involves two women, one sword and two daggers.

Yes, the show plays fast and loose with history—but then, so did Alexandre Dumas. Its broadly drawn characters and undercurrent of humor will keep even screen-addicted youngsters engaged, elicit laughter from in-the-know parents, and make for a great evening under the Sacramento stars.