The Scarlet Pimpernel, Frank (Jekyll And Hyde) Wildhorn's lush, romantic swashbuckler is an epic production, with absolutely no expense spared. This show has it all -- colorful sets, dynamic lighting, lavish costumes, powerful orchestrations, and even crystal chandeliers -- but what really makes this musical worthwhile is the stunning performances of Christine Andreas.
The talents of Christine Andreas have long been evident, but for too long a "role of a lifetime" has eluded her. She was Tony nominated for the revivals of Oklahoma! and, several years before, On Your Toes, but was somehow overlooked for a nomination for her "loverly" Eliza turn in the 20th anniversary revival of My Fair Lady. In The Scarlet Pimpernel, Andreas, a beauty with a mesmerizing soprano belt, can do nothing wrong and can do seemingly anything -- even a Piaf tribute in the very Parisian "Storybook," by Wildhorn and lyricist Nan Knighton (who is making her Broadway debut).
Too often the lavishness of the production disguises the weak book (based on the classic novel by Baroness Orczy); and other times scenes and music are uncomfortably reminiscent of Les Miserables and Jekyll And Hyde. But there's always Andreas, gorgeously costumed, to create memorable moments.
Considering the magic Wildhorn and Jekyll And Hyde star Linda Eder have created, it seems that director Peter Hunt and (you'd assume) the composers, were hoping for a Linda Eder sound-a-like. But Andreas even rises above this. In fact, there is probably nothing in musical theater Andreas couldn't rise above.
The Scarlet Pimpernel, in spite of a few lovely ballads (notably, the quite poignant "When I Look At You") isn't great musical theater otherwise. though Douglas Sills, making his Broadway debut as the hilariously foppish Pimpernel, is also notable.
