'The Scarlet Pimpernel' headlines Murray Arts in the Park summer productions

There are some musicals that audiences never tire of. Director Karyn Tucker says "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is one of them.

"If you know the show, you love the show," Tucker said. " 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' has a following all of its own."

Indeed the show has been popular for years among Utah theatre patrons. Hale Center Theatre, as one example, performed it in 2002, 2004 and then again in 2009. This summer it is Murray Arts in the Park's turn to tell the tale of the double life of an English nobleman living during the French Revolution. He and 11 of his seemingly narcissistic counterparts race back and forth between France and England, secretly rescuing victims from the guillotine under the direction of the mysterious hero the Scarlet Pimpernel. Percy (a.k.a. the Scarlet Pimpernel) believes his bride Marguerite is working as a French spy and hides his true identity from her until the ultimate happy ending.

Tucker said the show gives audiences a mystery, a love story and a swash buckling adventure. Plus in the age of Stan Lee inspired films, the show also has an appeal for super hero fans.

"This story was a pre-cursor to 'Zorro'," she said. "Zorro would go in and rescue leaving his signature 'Z,' much like the Pimpernel, and no one would know who he was."

When a show is this popular among audiences, Tucker said it can be a challenge to make it unique to a particular production, but the key is in the cast.

"You have to choose a cast that is phenomenal and that can portray what you envision the show to be," she said. "We were lucky enough to find the most fantastic cast. They are what give the show its own flavor."

Rebekah Law plays Marguerite. An alumni of the actor's training program at the University of Utah, Law has sung professionally for the past 10 years, even recording songs from "The Scarlet Pimpernel" on her own CD "Home at Last." She said this role is a dream for her.

"When I saw the show about 10 years ago in New York, I just fell in love with it and knew I had to play it. It became a bucket list item. To actually be able to perform as Marguerite is so great."

Cameron Boyle, who stars as Percy, is a communications manager by day and actor by night. His character has the extra challenge of switching personas throughout the play. Tucker calls his character switches "flawless." Boyle said it's not an easy thing to do.

"Going from character to character is exhausting and really hard emotionally and physically," he said. "Instead of playing one character, I get to play four. But it's a lot of fun. Percy is a role I've wanted to have for a long time."

Of course the heart of any musical is in its music. Musical director Lynn Chatterton said the entire cast has worked hard to polish this aspect of the show.

"I think the musical performances are definitely a cut above a community production," he said.

Another show in the running for the Arts in the Park summer line up was "Les Miserables," but Tucker said she is thrilled to be directing the Pimpernel side of the French Revolution instead.

"As beautiful as Les Mis is, it's really depressing. Even though it's the same time period, you don't walk out of there going, 'I feel so good,' but you certainly do with 'Scarlet Pimpernel.' It has the music that reaches out and wraps you and the humor that leaves you rollicking with laughter."

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" will be performed June 22-25 and 27-28 at the Murray Amphitheatre. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.

CAPTION: Cameron Boyle (Percy) and Rebekah Law (Marguerite) star in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" June 22-25 and 27-28 at the Murray Amphitheatre.