LEWISTON – Just when you thought that the musical “Les Miserables” had covered all there is to know about France and its varied revolutions, along comes the Community Little Theatre’s production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Written in 1997 by the team of Nan Knighton and Frank Wildhorn, this lavish musical covers similar territory. It is the height of the French Revolution, and Robespierre (Bruce Gerry) and his followers see to it that those connected with the upper class will meet their demise at the infamous guillotine.

Amid the executions, romance blooms for France’s greatest actress, Marguerite St. Just (Kristen Thomas), who has fallen for an English nobleman, Sir Percy Blakeney (Christopher Benoit). But Marguerite has a jealous former lover to contend with – the sinister Chauvelin (Bob Gauthier), a fervent revolutionary and the right hand of Robespierre.

Things are fine with Marguerite and Percy until he learns that his new bride may be responsible for the deaths of his French aristocrat friend. Is she true to her new husband or is she – in modern terms – a double agent?

Taking action into his own hands, Percy gathers his upper-class friends to wage a private war against the Reign of Terror in France. His “militia” includes a ragged group of hackers more interested in carrying on in flamboyant fashion than in the battlefield. But patriotic pride wins out, and the motley crew saves more than one person from the guillotine.

When it soars

This show really soars with three principal characters who dominant the stage. Benoit is handsome and witty as the conniving Percy. He plays the part with great finesse and a powerful singing voice. (Although in this Sunday matinee performance, his stage mike worked against him, providing a weak, hollow sound rather than the robust mix enjoyed by his peers. Fix this microphone!)

I first saw Kristen Thomas and Bob Gauthier in their stunning performances in Community Little Theatre’s “Phantom.” The twosome were outstanding actors who provided some of the best vocals ever to grace this troupe’s stage. Their reputation continues in this show.

Thomas, who handles any vocal number with great flair, creates a wonderfully vibrant Marguerite. Gauthier is a dynamo on stage, packing more than is humanly possible into every number he sings and performs. The two thrive in lavish musicals. I wouldn’t be surprised if these two actors one day tackled the leading roles in “Les Miserables” or if they reprised their “Phantom” roles in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber version of the show.

As is typical of summertime community theater shows, the chorus had an uneven mix of older theater veterans and very young, inexperienced faces. While the female chorus lacked depth and volume, the male chorus remained vibrant and strong in their vocals and characters.

Costumes stunning’

The set was simple and portable, going from the lush sitting rooms in England to the streets of France, where there is a life-sized, fully operating guillotine. Costume designers worked overtime to create stunning period garb, wigs and fancy shoes.

While the setting at the Lewiston Middle School is spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned, I found myself longing for the intimacy of Community Little Theatre’s year-round home at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center. My vantage point from Row N, Seat 1 is much farther away from the stage at the Middle School than at the Academy Street location.

Director Dick Martin adds another fine musical production to his growing repertoire, while music director Colin Britt adds another outstanding work to his young professional career.

“The Scarlet Pimpernel” runs through Sunday with performances at Lewiston Middle School.

Tickets are $13 and $11. Curtain is at 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees. For reservations, call 783-0958 or go to laclt.com.

Dan Marois is an actor, producer and writer who operates Main Street Entertainment & Mystery for Hire. He can be reached at [email protected].