Kansas City Ballet opens season with the KC premiere of "The Three Musketeers"

The Three Musketeers, with choreography by André Prokovsky and the music of Giuseppe Verdi arranged by Guy Woolfenden, has charmed and delighted audiences since its premiere by the Australian Ballet in 1980. This decidedly rollicking comedy of swashbuckling and swordplay in the French court of Louis XIII features King Louis VIII’s royal guards, the three musketeers, who are joined by the fourth musketeer, D’Artagnan, as they are challenged to save the reputation of the Queen Consort of France, Anne of Austria from an evil plot by Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter.

Prokovsky is known for adapting masterpieces of world literature to the dance stage as seen in Dr. Zhivago, The Great Gatsby and Anna Karenina. He wanted a ballet that would give the men a chance to shine. This lighthearted production features a 90-minute, family-friendly ballet infused with lots of swordplay, slapstick humor and bravura male dancing. With every major role danced by men, The Three Musketeers is sure to thrill audiences.

James Watts, Jr., writing for the Tulsa World about the Tulsa Ballet’s production of The Three Musketeers, said, “It's light and airy and surprisingly sweet — even the villains and their dastardly deeds are played for laughs. And it's so enjoyable that you're already thinking about indulging in a second helping before getting to end of your initial serving.

“However, The Three Musketeers is by necessity a rare treat. To create all this swashbuckling comedy punctuated by moments of tender romance requires something that is in relative short supply in the dance world — namely, ballet companies with a dozen or so male dancers capable of executing Prokovsky's athletically and aesthetically challenging choreography and being able to portray immediately distinctive personalities, all while lashing about with swords and rapiers.”

The Kansas City Ballet production also showcases lush sets, as designed by Peter Farmer.

Performances are Fri., Oct. 9 at 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 10 at 7:30pm, Sun., Oct. 11 at 2pm, Fri., Oct. 16 at 7:30pm, Sat., Oct. 17 at 2pm & 7:30pm, and Sun., Oct. 18 at 2pm, in the Muriel Kauffman theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets and season subscriptions for 2015-2016 are available now at www.kcballet.org, or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at (816) 931-8993. 

The Gayly – October 5, 2015 @ 12:30pm.