The show has music by Jeffrey Campos and book and lyrics by Shad Olsen. The presentations will be at Chelsea Studios at 7:30 PM May 26-27.
Brian Swasey, artistic director of Astoria Performing Arts Center, directs a 20-actor cast that includes Michael Marcotte, Shad Olsen, Kristian Lazzaro, Nick Dalton, Danny Rothman, Chaz Elliott, James DiMarino, Tommy Labanaris, Caroline Altman, Jason Bratton, Joshua Dixon, Laura Daniel, Dana Hart, Courtenay Schowalter, Deborah Grausman, Michelle Doucet, Marc Donovan, Lili Corn, Joe Cantalupo and Gretchen Mundinger. Stage manager is Nicole Bowman. Musical director is Robert Frankenberry.
The writers have been working over the past year to develop the musical and exploit the style and romance of Dumas' "D'Artagnan" stories and "the action and sweep of the cinematic renditions," according to a statement.
The project is a work in progress. According to writers, the story follows the famous Three Musketeers, now retired from service, as they reunite to replace the tyrannical king of France with his twin brother, Philippe. They find Philippe imprisoned in the Bastille and locked in an iron mask to conceal his identity. Their success depends upon outwitting those who are loyal to the king such as D'Artagnan, once their friend, but now a loyal monarchist. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Philippe gains integrity and virtue from the Musketeers and finds nobility and tenderness in his mother, the Queen.
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