Three Musketeers Swing Into Action On Stage

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Three Musketeers Adapted by Linda Alper, Douglas Langworthy and Penny Metropulos from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, November 21- December 8 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel gets an adventurous staging as this tale of adventure and romance follows young d’Artagnan upon his arrival in Paris in search of fame, fortune, and a place among the King’s Musketeers. Befriended by the three legendary swordsmen: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, he is immediately put to the test. His acts of bravery catch the eye of the French King Louis XIII, but ensnare d’Artagnan in the deadly schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and the villainous Milady Clarik. The young d’Artagnan must weigh his loyalties and question the meaning of honor in a gilded age of moral ambiguity.  Loaded with dazzling swordplay, intrigue and swash-buckling comedy, this adaptation of Dumas’ brilliant novel is directed by Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes and features Obie-Award winning actor Rocco Sisto.

On his way to Paris, D’Artagnan is originally set to duel with the musketeers, but unexpectedly unites with them against Cardinal Richelieu. Thus starts an unlikely friendship between three noble fighters and a hopeful peasant boy.  Can D’Artagnan save the honor of the Queen, the life of his true love, Constance, and earn himself a coveted place among the Musketeers?

Artistic Director Tony Simotes said, “This is a dream come true to direct The Three Musketeers  for Connecticut Repertory Theater.  As the Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company, I don’t always get the opportunity to take on these kinds of challenges. To have such an extraordinary group of designers, actors and artists on all levels of this production is pure joy. The entire production team is making sure that we live the life of this imaginative play and fulfill the legendary energy and history of all its characters fully. All for one and one for all! Not a bad motto to live by in my humble opinion.” 

Contact:Matthew J. Pugliese, Interim Managing Director                                     Matthew.Pugliese@uconn.edu 860-486-4799

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Tony Simotes (Director and Fight Choreographer) is the Artistic Director and President of Shakespeare & Company. He is a founding member of the Company, a Director and became a Master Teacher in Fight and Movement since its beginnings in 1978. Recently he directed Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis in Mother Courage and her Children and The Tempest for Shakespeare & Company. He directed Othello with John Douglas Thompson and is proud to have produced Satchmo at the Waldorf starring Mr. Thompson which went on to Long Wharf Theater and is currently slated to open Off-Broadway early next year. He has directed for many other regional theaters across the country as well as internationally.

His Stage Fighting work and teaching have been the subject of numerous segments for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting. He has helped to develop actors for Motion Caption Acting work for Raven Technologies and Software as a part his research and development work for artists of the 21st Century.

He has performed on the stage, in film and television in such features at Terminator II, Hotshots, Father of the Bride II, The Water Dance, Pacific Heights, and was featured as Buddy Rich in the CBS mini-series about Frank Sinatra. He has worked at the Mark Taper Forum, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Old Globe, as well as the New York Shakespeare Festival in Central Park to name a few.

He is also proud to have been a full professor at the University of Wisconsin — Madison where he served as Director of University Theater before coming to Shakespeare & Company. He is a proud member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA, and SDC.

The Design team includes: Posy Knight, Scenic Designer; Fan Zhang, Costume Designer; Xiachen Zhou, Wig Designer; Sean Nicholl, Lighting Designer; Alexander Sovronsky, Composer, and Brandon Purstell, Sound Designer.  The production will include original music composed Alexander Sovronsky.

THE CAST

Rocco Sisto (Cardinal Richelieu) Recent roles include Richard in Richard II for Shakespeare & Co and Samuel in Richard foreman’s Old Fashioned Prostitutes at the Public Theatre in New York. Broadway: To Be Or Not To BE, Amadeus, A Month In The Country, The Comedy Of Errors. Off-Broadway: Over ten productions for the Public including The Winter’s Tale (Obie Award), other credits include Quills (NYTW, Obie Award, Drama Desk nomination)and he has worked in most of the Off Broadway theaters over the last thirty years.TV: 666 Park Ave, Mildred Pierce, The Sopranos, CSI, Law & Order, Star Trek TNG. Film: Frequency, Donnie Brasco, Eraser, Carlito’s Way among many others. Mr. Sisto is a founding member of Shakespeare & Company. He is also a recipient of an Obie award for sustained excellence.

Alexander Sovronsky (Captain de Treville/Duke of Buckingham/Composer/Music Director) as an actor/musician/composer, Alexander’s acting and music/sound design credits include Broadway: Cyrano de Bergerac (with Kevin Kline). Off-Broadway: Romeo & Juliet, Measure For Measure (NYSF/The Public); Othello (TFANA); Bottom of the World (Atlantic); Volpone, Women Beware Women (Red Bull); Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, King Lear, Marat/Sade, Three Sisters (Classical Theater of Harlem). REGIONAL: Walnut Street Theatre, The Shakespeare Theater Company, The Wharton Salon, and 6 seasons with Shakespeare & Company. International: title role in Hamlet (Hyperion Theatre Co/Teatro Franco Parenti) in Milan, Italy. www.AlexanderSovronsky.com

Will Haden (D’Artagnan) is a 3rd year Graduate Actor. Credits include: CRT - Big Love (Ensemble), Hairspray (Link Larkin), His Girl Friday (Ernie Kruger),Romeo & Juliet (Romeo), O Beautiful (Jesus), The Winter’s Tale (Florizel) and graduate acting project King Lear (Edgar); Hope Summer Rep. - Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Darcy), An Inspector Calls (Inspector Goole); Village Playhouse - Xanadu (Sonny), Mauritius (Dennis), The Little Dog Laughed (Alex),Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Andrew Jackson), Woolfe Street.

Sarah Wintermeyer (Constance) is a 3rd year Graduate Actor. CRT credits include: Big Love (Eleaonor), The Music Man (Alma Hix), Hairspray (Velma), His Girl Friday (Jaclyn Wilson), Romeo & Juliet (Lady Capulet), O Beautiful (Arlene Fletcher), Man of La Mancha (Housekeeper), The Winter’s Tale (Lady Paulina), and The Pirates of Penzance (Daughter). Regional credits include: Sierra Repertory Theatre: Nellie Forbush in South Pacific,  Audrey Williams in Lost Highway; Summer Repertory Theatre, SF Bay Area:  Agnes in Agnes of God, Jen in Jon and Jen; Little Theatre, LA: Elizabeth Hughes in Catholic School Girls, Silence in Silence. www.sarahwintermeyer.com

The cast will feature graduate actors Thomas Brazzle, Darek Burkowski, Anthony Goes, Will Haden, Khetanya Henderson, James Jelkin, Colby Lewis, Olivia Saccomanno, and Sarah Wintermeyer; as well as undergraduate actors Alyson Danielczuk , Marisa Desa, Harry Elfenbaum, Will Graziano, Alison Janavaris, Briana Maia, Ryan Marcone, Emmett McMullan, Coles Prince, Susannah Resnikoff, Gina Salvatore and Brian Sullivan.

INFORMATION

Please call 860-486-2113 for tickets or for more information. Please call or visit the box office for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.  Tickets available online at www.crt.uconn.edu.

New Box Office Location – Please note that the CRT box office is now housed in the Nafe Katter Theatre, located at 820 Bolton Road. There is short term parking on Bolton Road, in the loading zone directly in front of the theatre. CRT tickets can no longer be purchased at the Jorgensen box office. CRT’s box office is open Monday-Friday, noon – 5 p.m., and will also be open one hour prior to show time at the theatre where the performance is taking place.

Weeknight evening performances start at 7:30 p.m.  Weekend evening performances start at

8 p.m.  Matinee performances start at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $7 – $37.