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‘Scarlet Pimpernel’: ICCC musical debuts Wednesday

Romance, betrayal to fire up stage

Cast members Austin Sorenson, Alex Jackson and Jamila Shing-Hon strike a pose in anticipation of the upcoming production of “Scarlet Pimpernel,” to debut Wednesday at Iowa Central Community College.

Romance, betrayal, and courage will be the key elements during Iowa Central Community College’s spring musical, ”The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

The story, inspired by the novel of the same name, is a humorous precursor to today’s spy fiction and superhero genres, where a champion hides under a mild-mannered alias and falls in love with a beautiful woman.

The musical was composed by Frank Wildhorn (well-known for his ”Jekyll & Hyde” score) with lyrics by Nan Knighton. It has been nominated for three Tony Awards and continues to have a cult following.

“This is a musical that has never been done in the theater community of Fort Dodge before,” Teresa Jackson, the show’s director, said. “Audience members will leave the theater feeling motivated, while singing or humming the powerful music from the show.”

”The Scarlet Pimpernel” is a thrilling, romantic story about an English aristocrat, whose mission becomes rescuing innocent people while using disguises and wit to foil the French Army to save the innocent from the guillotine during the French Revolution.

Cast members are gearing up for the upcoming production of “Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Appalled at the frequent beheadings in Paris, Sir “Percy” Blakeney, played by Alex Jackson, recruits his fellow English friends (with no military training) to employ disguises and cunning to rescue innocent victims from the blade.

Sir Percy falls in love with French actress, Margueite St. Just, played by Jamila Shing-Hon, and helps her leave behind the horrors of the guillotine.

The villian of the show is Chauvelin, played by Austen Sorenson. He is a French officer who desires Marguerite, and finds underhanded ways to lure her back to France. Chauvelin has orders to apprehend the Pimpernel and tries to blackmail Marguerite in order to find out his identity.

With a strong male cast lead, ”The Scarlet Pimpernel” is a new experience for Jackson.

“I usually have more of a female lead when it comes to musical, but this year I get to work with mostly men as the lead parts and it is a lot of fun,” she said. ”The men are all excited and are really encouraging towards each other, overall, they are a really cohesive group of young people.”

Cast members are readying the props for the upcoming production of “Scarlet Pimpernel.”

The heart and the humor of the story comes from the English noblemen who dress in disguises to rescue the innocent from beheadings, and thier antics add the flair while the love triangle adds the memorable ballads.

“Each of the men have really different roles they will have to play throughout the show,” Jackson said. ”They will act foppish, brave, and of course the audience will hear them talking in their English and French accents, And even for this show being mainly a male cast musical, there are also beautiful female voices the audience will get to hear. The voice of Jamila Shing-Hon is one you could listen to forever. It is soul-stirring.”

Performed with special arrangements with Tams-Witmark, the musical will open with a matinee showing for school children and senior citizens on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., March 1. The regular run of the show will be from Thursday – Saturday night at 7 p.m., March 2 – 4.

“The music is unbelievable, my favorite song at the moment is “Into the Fire,” which is the equivalent of ”Frozen’s” ‘Let it Go'” Jackson said. “A former student gave me a copy of the CD and it was amazing. As I was listening, I could already see the students in the big stage scenes performing the the music.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased by calling 515-574-1081, online at www.iowacentral.edu, the Iowa Central Bookstore, or at the door.

The show is directed by Teresa Jackson; choreography by Lesa Dencklau; vocal music direction by Kathleen Schreier; and pit orchestra is led by Paul Bloomquist. John Kastendieck returns as scenic designer and carpenter; Ashley Garst will add the light design while Nancy Wood and Ashley will head up the costumes.

“The costumes will be phenomenal, ”The Scarlet Pimppernel” is really a costume driven show,” Jackson said.

It is a lavish musical, full of adventure and bursting with beautiful music.

“You will laugh, cry, and feel really uplifted when you leave, it is a musical you will not want to miss,” Jackson said.

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Scarlet Pimpernel

What: Iowa Central Community College spring musical ”The Scarlet Pimpernel”

When: 9 a.m. Wednesday; 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Where: Decker Auditorium

Cost: $5 for students, $10 for adults

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