Theatricum Botanicum Presents THE THREE MUSKETEERS, Opens 6/12

All for one, and one for all! Ellen Geer's world premiere adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' epic, swashbuckling The Three Musketeers sweeps into the outdoor theater at Theatricum Botanicum beginning June 12. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is an enchanted oasis in the midst of L.A., offering affordable, family-friendly plays in its magical, outdoor Topanga Canyon setting.

The Three Musketeers is one of the greatest historical adventure stories ever written, and its heroes have become symbols for the spirit of youth, daring, and comradeship. The action takes place at the court of Louis XIII, where The Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, with their companion, the headstrong d'Artagnan, are engaged in a battle against Richelieu, the King's minister, and the beautiful, unscrupulous spy, Milady. Behind the flashing blades and bravura, Dumas explores the eternal conflict between good and evil. The grand adventure, replete with political intrigue, scandalous liaisons, murderous espionage and undying love, is set in the 17th century, but its message about upholding one's honor with unwavering devotion to friends and countrymen is never outdated.

"It's a story that most people assume they know because there have been so many film and stage versions," says Geer, who both adapted the novel and directs. "But we're going to bring the whole story to the Theatricum stage, not just the sensational sections. Usually, the character of Milady gets one scene in which she's portrayed as a sexpot; but as Dumas wrote her, she's an extremely complex, evil woman who can manipulate nations and governments. She was frightening and powerful in a time when women had no power. A huge part of Dumas' plot revolves around the history of the day, including the religious wars between the Catholics and the Protestants and the attempt by the French monarchy to destroy the Huguenots. Theatricum audiences are going to see the entire through-line that Alexandre Dumas wrote."

The Three Musketeers (Les Trois Mousquetaires) was first published in serialized form in 1844 in a Parisian magazine entitled Siecle. It caused a popular sensation, and long lines anticipated each new issue of the magazine. The French public could not get enough of Dumas' writing, which was the first to combine the historical novel and the Romance into a single story.

Portraying Dumas' colorful cast of characters at Thearicum are Jackson McCord Thompson (d'Artagnan), Jim LeFave (Athos), Kelly C. Henton (Porthos), Melora Marshall (Aramis), Abby Craden (Milady), Aaron Hendry (Duke of Buckingham), Willow Geer (Mme. Constance Bonancieux ), Samara Frame (Queen Anne of Austria), Jeff Wiesen (King Louis XIII), Mike Peebler (Lord de Winter) and William Dennis Hunt (Cardinal Richelieu). Also in the cast are Noelle Adames, Michael Keith Allan, Jane Bacon, Sam Breen, Zach Brown, James Cowan, Daniel Eisner, Anna Leah Eisner, Andrew Fish, Annie Freeman, Lucero Garcia, Ventana Garen, Christopher Greenwood, Cindy Guastaferro, Roman Guastaferro, Rowena Johnson, Nina Kurtz, Matt Little, David Mack, David Marmor, Kaja Martin, Anne Goen Nemer, Eve Neuhart, Nikhil Pai, Christopher Parker, Michael Rahhal, Andrew Ravani, Julian Song, Daniel Tobin, Paul Turbiak, Letty Valladares, Matt Van Winkle, and Dylan Vigus.

French buffet "Musketeer Meals," with a costumed cast of swashbucklers and saucy chambermaids in attendance, will take place every Friday in September at 6:30 pm in the Theatricum gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance (separate admission, or combination packages available).

Alexandre Dumas was born in France in 1802. His grandfather was a French nobleman who had settled in Santo Domingo, and his paternal grandmother, Marie-Cessette, was an Afro-Caribbean who had been a black slave in the French colony. Dumas' father was a general in Napoleon's army, but he fell out of favor and after his death in 1806, the family lived in poverty. Dumas wrote constantly, producing a steady stream of plays, novels and short stories. His historical novels,of which the best known are The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo (both written within the space of two years,1844-45), made Dumas an enormous fortune. He produced some 250 books with his 73 assistants. Dumas lived as adventurously as the heroes of his books, and there are numerous anecdotes about his way of life. He married his mistress, the actress Ida Ferrier, in 1840, but he soon separated after having spent her entire dowry. Known as "the King of Paris," Dumas earned lots of money, but spent it faster than he made it on friends, art and mistresses. Dumas died of a stroke on December 5, 1870, at Puys, near Dieppe. It is claimed that his last words were, "I shall never know how it all comes out now," referring to his unfinished book.

Well known for its lovingly executed productions of Shakespeare, modern classics, and world premiere adaptations of classic plays and novels in a spectacular, outdoor setting, Theatricum presents a 2010 Summer Repertory Season of five plays that will also include productions of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, opening June 5 and 6, respectively; Terrence NcNally's Tony Award-winning Master Class, opening July 3; and - just added - Carry It On, a rip-roaring tribute to the heroes of American history told in their own voices that will be presented as a fundraiser with celebrity guests on July 16, then followed by an eight-performance run by members of the Theatricum Company Beginning August 7. Unlike most theaters in the Los Angeles area that stage continuous runs of a single play, the Theatricum, using a company of actors, performs each play on a rotating basis so that it's possible to see all five plays in a single summer weekend. In addition, Theatricum offers a variety of satellite programming including a Thursday Night Salon Series featuring comedy improv, cabaret and poetry; a Summer Music Series that will include tributes to longtime Theatricum friend Woody Guthrie and to Dolly Parton; Family Fundays interactive plays and concerts for kids on Saturday and Sunday mornings; Botanicum Seedlings: A Development Series for Playwrights featuring free readings of new plays on select Sundays; and theme dinners in the idyllic Theatricum gardens, including Greek "Dream Dinners" on Thursday evenings in August and French "Musketeer Meals" on Fridays in September.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. For tickets and information, call (310) 455-3723 or visit online at www.theatricum.com.

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