posted on November 9, 2009.
The University of Oklahoma School of Drama and University Theatre present the swashbuckling adventures of The Three Musketeers. The story was written by Alexander Dumas, père, stage adaptation by Linda Alper, Douglas Langworthy and Penny Metropulos and directed by Lee Neibert. The Three Musketeers opens Friday, November 13 at 8 p.m., in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., in Norman. The show will continue its run at 8 p.m., November 14 and November 19-21. Matinees open at 3 p.m., November 15, 21-22.
The Three Musketeers tells of the renowned adventures of D'Artagnan and his three fellow musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, as they fight for king and country—with frequent interludes involving wine, women and song. The entire panoply of action is captured here with brilliant inventiveness and theatricality: the devious trickery of Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter; the sad plight of the beauteous Constance Bonancieux; attempted assassinations; plots and counterplots; and the final triumph of virtue over the forces of evil. The play captures all the color and excitement of the classic story, for it’s “All for one and one for all!”
The large production is costumed in an extensive collection of opulent costumes designed by Professor Mike Buchwald. Mr. Buchwald is a professor of costume design and head of the OU School of Drama's design area. During his tenure at OU, Professor Buchwald has been recognized with the Regents' Award for Superior Teaching, the Associates' Lecturer of Excellence Award, and as the Rothbaum Presidential Professor of Excellence. As resident costume designer for the School of Drama and University Theatre, he has designed over 300 plays, musicals, operas and ballets for OU productions. His extensive body of work as a guest designer for commercial theatre, television and film has kept him in demand as a design consultant for several other universities including Yale University, the University of Arkansas, and Abilene Christian University. Mr. Buchwald's body of theatrical knowledge includes not only costume and makeup design for stage and screen; he is also an accomplished director with numerous credits in academic and professional theatre. In addition to the fourteen productions, he has directed while at OU, he served for several seasons as artistic director of the Southwest Repertory Theatre in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The cast consists of Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts students: Creighton Auten, Carolyn Bailey, Margie Baker, Kauhdeeme Balentine, Jordan Blount, Brad Brockman, Jordan Brodess, Jonathan Contreras, Darryl Cox, Aimee Crowther, Carl Culley, Matthew E. Ellis, Jackson Ewing, Emily Ferren, Monica Gonzalez, Chris Hartman, Georgia Hays, Joey Hines, Stephen Ibach, Ethan Kahn, Connor McCollom, PJ Norton, Kevin Percival, Riley Pierce,Kelsey Ray, Mitchell Reid, Michelle Roberts, Lindsey Ruta, Colin Ryan, Laurel Sein, Brandon Christopher Simmons, Suzanne Stanley, Paul Stuart, Kelly Teener Tyler Thompson, Jack Welborn, Conner Wilson.
Other members of the production team include Stage Manager, Hannah Barnes, Scenic Designer, Jon Young, Costume Designer, Mike Buchwald, Lighting Designer, Steven Draheim, Associate Costume Designers Jennifer Cozens, Lloyd Cracknell and Pamela Workman, Technical Director, Michael Fain, Fight Director, Matthew E. Ellis, Dialect Coach, Rena Cook and University Theatre Producer, Rich Taylor.
The University of Oklahoma’s rousing, rollicking stage production provides audiences with a highly memorable and romantic adventure.
Tickets are $22 adult, $18 seniors/OU faculty and staff and $14 students with ID, and can be purchased by calling the Fine Arts College Ticket Service at (405) 325-4101, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The box office is located in the Catlett Music Center, 500 West Boyd. For accommodations on the basis of a disability call (405) 325-4101.