Pimpernell in Bluffdale

The Bluffdale Arts Advisory Board will present “The Scarlet Pimpernel” Aug. 4-6 at South Hills Middle School. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each evening, with a 1 p.m. Saturday matinee as well. The school is located at 13508 South 4000 West.

Paris, May 1794. At the bloody peak of the French Revolution, the beautiful actress, Marguerite St. Just (Kristen Douglas Hickman) announces her engagement to an Englishman, Sir Percival Blakeney (Eric Peterson). Chauvelin (Mathew Boulton), a high ranking revolutionary official and Marguerite's former lover is furious. On the night Marguerite leaves for England with Percy and her brother Armand, (Justin Goldsmith), Chauvelin blackmails her into giving him secret information about the Marquis de St. Cyr (Kory Luker), a friend of Percy's. He then uses this information to send the Marquis and his family to the guillotine. In response to these deaths, The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is set into motion, to work through disguise and diversion to save as many innocent lives as they can.

With that, the stage is set for one of the most powerful and moving musicals ever to hit the Broadway stage.

"This work has been an incredibly challenging and rewarding piece," director Laura Garner said. "There is mystery, intrigue, a surprise ending, incredible music, and it is based on real life events. What a great history lesson."

The cast also includes Ashley Gephart as Marie, brothers Chad and Chase Wilson as Mercier and Coupeau with Chase doubling as the Prince of Wales. Members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are, Mike Nilsson, Christian Hess, Dallas Stromberg, Franz Lambretchsen, Peter Johnson and Cameron Cook. Robespierre is played by Ken Bostrum. The cast of almost 100 will be costumed by Anderson and Bonnie Stromberg, with Merrilea Winberg and Peter Johnson as choreographers and Cheryl Ann Blakely as orchestra director. Special thanks go to The Mid Valley Baptist Church for rehearsal space.

Tickets are $6 per person/ 4 tickets for $20, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Peterson’s Market in Riverton or from any cast member. Call 801-254-7728 or 801-254-1714 for more information.