River Campus rocked by performance of The Three Musketeers

Athos, Aramis, Porthos and D’Artagnan joined forces to defeat Cardinal Richelieu in Southeast’s adaptation of Ken Ludwig’s “The Three Musketeers” at Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall Sep. 25 through Sept. 29.

The play follows D’Artagnan’s quest to become a Musketeer as he encounters love, comradery and adventure.

The cast was full of engaging characters such as the vengeful Cardinal Richelieu and the gleeful socialite King Louis.

D’Artagnan must prove himself worthy of a royal blue cape and plumed hat by protecting Queen Ann and her lady-in-waiting Constance Bonacieux. Through valiant acts and grand gestures of virtue, D’Artagnan defends his king, country and wins the friendship of the three musketeers.

Southeast junior Ashlyn Kinman said “The Three Musketeers” was the first show she’d ever seen as a Southeast student and it inspired her to see more in the future. The graphic design major discussed the complexity of the fight scenes and said she thinks it is easier to go see River Campus productions when you know someone involved in the process.

“Especially with the art campus being separated from the main campus, it’s cool to see what the art students can do,” Kinman said.

Sophomore Isabel Nauman and junior Andrew Fiegenbaum discussed their experiences as performers and members of the deck crew, the body responsible for organizing the stage.

“Sometimes we don’t have enough hands to get things going very efficiently, but we make it work,” Fiegenbaum said.

Both Nauman and Fiegenbaum have experience being on stage and described “The Three Musketeers” as a success. Nauman explained how some of the set can be moved with a 25-foot long pole, which requires delicate maneuvering.

“You cannot not be on your ‘A game’ because someone could get hurt,” Nauman said.

“The Three Musketeers” has taken several weeks to put together. Students involved with the production participate in set building and costume design, which is mandatory for all musical theatre majors.

Nauman said auditions were held last spring, and actors had to move in a week earlier than the general student population for rehearsals.

The play adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ novel was performed from Sept. 25 through Sept. 29 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. For a schedule of future River Campus productions, visit https://rivercampus.org/.