THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL Comes to Hale Theatre

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on August 24, 2018 and playing through October 6, 2018 is the acclaimed Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel. Directed and Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Lincoln Wright, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic, and highly-entertaining family-friendly Broadway musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War). The show is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. About this show, Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, "Eleven years ago, when we first produced The Scarlet Pimpernel, we knew the show was good, but we didn't know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it.

Opening night came and the audience went wild! After a thunderous standing ovation, we decided right then and there that in the future we would have to produce it again. And so we are!" Director/Choreographer Cambrian James, who helmed the theatre's first production of The Scarlet Pimpernel 11 years ago, recently commented, "revisiting this show after all these years has been very exciting. Upon reviewing that production, I found that some of the original elements held up quite well. Looking at that former production with a fresh eye, I've found that I only needed minor tweaks for some sections while others I am completely redesigning. I've grown so much as an artist in that time, and I'm thrilled with this latest version. Audiences are going to love it!"

"They seek him here. They seek him there..." The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic musical based on Baroness Orczy's famous 20th-century novel. Since it's Broadway opening in 1998, "Pimpernel" has found a "League" of devoted followers and has become a staple of American regional theater. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this Tony-Award nominated musical, is thrilling from start to finish. Sir Percy Blakeney and his band of patriots, the "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel," use disguises, wit and derring-do to rescue the innocent from the blackmailing Citizen Chauvelin and death by guillotine. After each daring rescue, Sir Percy taunts Chauvelin by leaving a note with a small red flower drawn on it - hence his nom de guerre. Even Sir Percy's beautiful wife Marguerite, who does not share his secret, is completely deceived by his elaborate charades. Sir Percy's feigned dim wits and foppishness allow him to place himself into situations where his true heroism and bravery are revealed. Baroness Orczy's idea of a daring hero with a secret identity is a popular one. Not long after the writing of her book, other authors saw the popularity of such characters and fictional heroes such as Zorro, Superman, and Batman followed. Today, Disney and Marvel have certainly cashed in on the trope. The Scarlet Pimpernel's soaring score, beguiling romance, and stunning costumes will make this HCT production a must see. Run, don't walk to"catch" The Scarlet Pimpernel!

The cast features Austin Delp (Sir Percy Blakeney), Rochelle Barton (Marguerite St. Just), Bryan Stewart (Chauvelin), Sam Cottle (Armand St. Just), Kathleen Richards (Marie Grosholtz), Matthew Harris (Prince of Wales/Robespierre), Nathan Spector (Ozzy, a Bounder/St. Cyr), Cameron Rollins (Dewhurst, a Bounder), Hunter Cuison (Elton, a Bounder), Avery Jones (Farleigh, a Bounder), Danny Karapetian (Hal, a Bounder/Tussaud), Benjamin Harris (Ben, a Bounder), Kyle Webb (Mercier), Ricci Machado-Torres (Coupeau), Emily Noxon (Mrs. Danvers/Ensemble), Rebecca Bryce (Ensemble), Juli Gore (Ensemble), Heidi-Liz Johnson (Ensemble), Ariana Lucius (Ensemble), Reagan Bentley (Ensemble).

The Scarlet Pimpernel is produced by David and Corrin Dietlein. The creative team includes Cambrian James (Director and Choreographer), Lincoln Wright (Musical Director), Brian Daily (Set Technical Director), Mary Atkinson (Costume Designer), Tim Dietlein (Lighting Designer), Brian Daily (Master Carpenter), McKenna Carpenter & Monica Christiansen (Scenic Painters & Props), Tia Hawkes (Costume Stitcher), Cambrian James (Wigs and Make-up), Justin Peterson (Stage Manager), Gary Towne (Audio Engineer & Sound Design), Blake King-Krueger (Backstage Manager), Rebecca Nation (Rehearsal Assistant), Jessica Ottley (Production Assistant), Britney Carpenter (Executive Assistant).

SINGLE TICKETS to The Scarlet Pimpernel cost $36.00 for adults and $20.00 for youth (ages 5-17 years) are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.HaleTheatreArizona.com, by phone at (480) 497-1181, or by visiting the Box Office at 50 West Page Ave. in Historic Downtown Gilbert. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

PERFORMANCES begin Aug. 24, 2018 and continue through Oct. 6, 2018. Performance times are 7:00 pm for Wednesday and Thursday night performances. Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm with Friday and Saturday night performances starting at 7:30 pm.

The Hale Centre Theatre is located in the Historic District of Gilbert across the street from the iconic Gilbert Water tower at 50 West Page Avenue, Gilbert, AZ. There are convenient, free parking lots surrounding the theatre. For more detailed directions and parking information, please visit www.haletheatrearizona.com. Then simply click on the Information tab and choose Directions and Parking from the pull down menu.