Sword play: Covey plays ‘Three Musketeers’ to the hilt
D'Artagnan (Joshua Cooper), Athos (Patrick Kintz) and Aramis (Adam Argyle) in the Covey Center for the Arts production of "The Three Musketeers." Photo by Logan Bradford/Covey Center for the Arts
D'Artagnan (Joshua Cooper) and Aramis (Adam Argyle) in the Covey Center for the Arts production of "The Three Musketeers." Photo by Logan Bradford/Covey Center for the Arts
The Covey Center for the Arts presents "The Three Musketeers," which opens Sept. 2, 2011 at the theater. Photos courtesy of the Covey Center for the Arts.
The Covey Center for the Arts presents "The Three Musketeers," which opens Sept. 2, 2011 at the theater. Photos courtesy of the Covey Center for the Arts.
The Covey Center for the Arts presents "The Three Musketeers," which opens Sept. 2, 2011 at the theater. Photos courtesy of the Covey Center for the Arts.
The Covey Center for the Arts presents "The Three Musketeers," which opens Sept. 2, 2011 at the theater. Photos courtesy of the Covey Center for the Arts.
The Covey Center for the Arts presents "The Three Musketeers," which opens Sept. 2, 2011 at the theater. Photos courtesy of the Covey Center for the Arts.
Sword fights, romance and boozy good cheer can only mean one thing: “The Three Musketeers” is swashbuckling its way out of 17th-century France and onto the stage.
“The Three Musketeers” opens Friday night at the Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St. in downtown Provo.
The play is an adaptation for the stage of one of literature’s most famous novels that tells the story of three friends who fight their way through villains and intrigue, not to mention women.
“The play kind of focuses on d’Artagnan, a farm boy who dreams of becoming a Musketeer,” said Joshua Cooper, who plays d’Artagnan. “It’s different a little bit from the novel by [Alexandre] Dumas, but it’s kind of a fun romp because d’Artagnan eventually is able to find this woman he loves, and he’s trying to save her and through trying to save her he shows his bravery and is able to become a Musketeer.”
Cooper described the play as an adventure-romance with lots of action and sword fights.
“[Audiences] will enjoy the sword fighting,” Cooper said. “Most of the people who auditioned for the play had some experience in sword fighting, and we had a BYU graduate who is certified in stage combat, and he helped us fine tune our fights.”
The cast of 12 has been rehearsing for a little over two months and Cooper said he feels confident patrons will enjoy its production.
“I think that everyone who comes to the show can identify themselves with d’Artagnan because everyone has dreams that seem unattainable,” Cooper said. “That’s how the show and life is, but in the end, [d’Artagnan] is able to obtain his dreams. The audience can kind of live through that.”
Although a popular production, Cooper said this version is unique because of how the director helped each actor connect with his or her character.
“I think the difference with this one is that even though the play is usually more entertainment value than plot, Barta Heiner, the director, really helped us make some great character connections,” Cooper said. “It’s different from the other [productions] in that our character work makes the characters real people.”
David Hanson, who plays the show’s antagonist Cardinal Richelieu, agreed with his fellow actor, saying one constant element of the story is the spirit of romantic adventure.
“With any good show, you’re paying attention to characters and really finding what’s realistic about them,” Hanson said. “Besides the sword fights, it’s a great tale of loyalty. The biggest message throughout the entire show really is be true to who you are, and I think — regardless of the story — the message is really what will stick with audiences.”
The Three Musketeers
Where: Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. CenterSt., Provo
When: Friday, Sept. 15-17, 19 and 21-24 at 7:30p.m.
Tickets: $12 for balcony seating, $15 for themain floor
Info: (801) 852-7007, coveycenter.org