Marin Shakespeare's "The Three Musketeers" is Swashbuckling Family Fun

It's all for one and one for all as Marin Shakespeare Company presents its funny, action-filled, and family-friendly production of The Three Musketeers this summer. We got to experience this swashbucking and fast-moving play on opening night this week, and it was fantastic! The Three Musketeers runs through August 27 at Forest Meadows Amphitheater in San Rafael.

Adapted by Tony award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig from the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers tells the familiar story of young D'Artagnan (Jonah Robinson), who travels to Paris in search of his dream to become one of the King's Musketeers. Along the way he falls in with some bad guys—the villanous Rochefort (Nick Mandracchia) and Milady (Elena Wright), both working for the scheming Cardinal Richelieu (Rod Gnapp)—and the good guys, in this case the famous Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis (Patrick Russell, Jackson Currier, and Dean Linnard) and love interest Constance (Luisa Frasconi). Accompanying D'Artagnan on his adventure is his lively sister, Sabine (Anne Norland).

The production was full of exciting swashbuckling action and swordplay, with a zipline running through the amphitheater to allow characters to make dramatic entrances. It was also unexpectedly funny, full of witty jokes and puns. There are even some rollicking song-and-dance numbers!

Energetically directed by Marin Shakespeare Artistic Director Robert Currier, The Three Musketeers kept everyone, adults and kids included, in rapt attention at the edge of their seats. My kids loved the action-packed packed swordfights, which often filled the entire stage.

We thoroughly enjoyed the entire show, and thought the cast was perfect. Richard Pallaziol, who played the triple roles of D'Artagnan's father, King Louis XIII, and the convent's mother superior, really stole the show. (He's also the play's fight choreographer.) We also really liked the character of Sabine, who was brought to life by Anne Norland. In addition to being hilarious, she provided the show with a capable and decisive heroine.

The Three Musketeers is a fun, live-theater, must-see for the whole family this summer. It's probably best for kids ages 5 and up. The Forest Meadows Amphitheater at Dominican University of California in San Rafael is an intimate outdoor venue, and you really get up-close-and-personal with the actors. Every seat in the theater has a great view of the stage.

If You Go

Performances of Marin Shakespeare's The Three Musketeers take place through August 27, 2017, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 and 8 pm. Sunday, August 13, is Family Day where youth 18 and under get free admission to the 4 pm peformance. Tickets cost $37 general, $34 seniors, and $12 youth 25 and under. VIP tickets, which include wine or beer and seat cushions cost $64 each. Order tickets online at www.marinshakespeare.org/tickets.

The amphitheater opens one hour prior to curtain for picnicking. Plenty of free parking is available in the lot at 890 Belle Avenue and in the main Dominican parking lot at Grand and Acacia near the Conlan Recreation Center.

Snack and drinks, including beer and wine, area available at the theater, although you can bring your own. If you're going to an evening performance, make sure you bring jackets and blankets because it can get chilly in the outdoor amphitheater after the sun goes down.

Learn more about Marin Shakespeare Company and the rest of their exciting 2017 season at www.marinshakespeare.org.

Photos by Jay Yamada