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Photos courtesy of Mark Garvin Photography
People’s Light & Theatre Company Presents THE THREE MUSKETEERS (THE LATER YEARS): A MUSICAL PANTO November 17, 2010 – January 9, 2011
People’s Light & Theatre Company presents The Three Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto, by Kathryn Petersen, with music and lyrics by Michael Ogborn, from November 17, 2010 – January 9, 2011 on the Main Stage. Company member Pete Pryor directs.
The Three Musketeers is the seventh Panto in what has become an annual holiday tradition at People’s Light. The outrageous comedy is set in the glittering world of the 17th Century court, complete with plumed hats and swashbuckling sword fights. Mark Lazar is returning as the Dame, playing Queen Agnes of Malvaria. Other cast members from previous Pantos include Rachel Brennan, Andrew Kane, Chris Faith, Tom Teti, and Kim Carson. Artistic Associate Kathryn Petersen is once again writing the script and Michael Ogborn is returning to write music and lyrics.
Through a professional development grant from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, director Pete Pryor was able to travel to England last year to see five authentic Pantos. “It was really exciting to see how they’re traditionally performed and to realize what our own particular brand of the Panto is at People’s Light. The biggest difference is the story. English Pantos don’t usually stick to a narrative thread, but Kathryn Petersen is great at allowing for improvisational opportunities in the script while still maintaining an engaging story line. We’re taking what we love from the English style and melding it with our own signature,” explained Pryor.
The Three Musketeers is the seventh Panto in what has become an annual holiday tradition at People’s Light.
This is Pryor’s fifth Panto at People’s Light, having directed Cinderella in 2008 (for which he won the Barrymore Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and Snow White in 2009, as well as performing in two others. In The Three Musketeers he will both direct the production and also play the Villain, Lord Mazarotti. “When you direct, there comes a point when your job is done. You hand over the reins and the show has to evolve on its own,” he says. “But this time, I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to grow with the production.”
People’s Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org. This production is part of the TARGET Family Discovery Series and supported by ING.
TICKET INFORMATION
The Three Musketeers previews on Wednesday, November 17th and Thursday, November 18th at 7pm. The play opens on Saturday, November 20th at 7pm and runs through January 9, 2011. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each Thursday evening performance to discuss the production.
Single tickets are $35 – $45. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 610.644.3500. Special discounts, meal packages, and talkbacks with the artists are available for groups of 15 or more. 10am performances for school groups are also available. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900 x134 or email group@peopleslight.org. Actors, prices, performances dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges may apply.
Subscription tickets are still available. In addition to The Three Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto, shows in the 4-Play series include The Master Builder (March 23 – April 17, 2011), Dividing the Estate (May 11 – June 5, 2011), and Hatchetman (June 15 – July 10, 2011).
Subscriptions to the TARGET Family Discovery Series are also available. Subscriptions for youth ages 17 and under are $54 or $64. The three-show subscription includes: The Three Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto (November 17, 2010 – January 9, 2011), Kidnapped! (January 13 – February 6, 2011), and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (February 17 – March 13, 2011).
ABOUT PEOPLE’S LIGHT
People’s Light, a professional theatre founded in 1974 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration.
