A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The 3 1/2 Musketeers

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  8w, 14m

Book by Tim Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Jack Sharkey
Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas’ greatest swashbuckling novel is turned inside out, and the result is sheer musical hilarity.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 14m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Parody / Spoof
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

Alexandre Dumas’ greatest swashbuckling novel is turned inside out, and the result is sheer musical hilarity. Darth Canyon, a country lad, dreams of becoming a King’s Musketeer. In Paris, he joins up with three of the best: Armistice, Pothole and Applesauce. Because Darth Canyon is very short they decide to be known as “The 3 1/2 Musketeers.” Soon Darth Canyon is smitten with one of the Queen’s handmaidens, the lovely Custard (she’s sweet and always running). The Musketeers find themselves smack in the middle of a wild plot concocted by the evil Minister of State, Richelieu, and his number one spy, the devastatingly beautiful (and wicked) Countess De Whimper.

History

The 3 1/2 Musketeers was first performed at the Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama & Vaudeville Co., Moorpark, California on June 19, 1987. It was directed by Frank Roach.

DARTH CANYON’S FATHER – Former Musketeer
ROBAIRE – Young farmer
JEAN-PIERRE – Another young farmer
DARTH CANYON – Soon-to-be a Musketeer, quite short
POTHOLE – King's Musketeer
APPLESAUCE – Another King's Musketeer
ARMISTICE – Another King's Musketeer
SERVING GIRL – In Paris tavern
SOUPCON – Richelieu's henchman
ANNE – Queen of France
LOUIS – King of France
CUSTARD – Queen's servant
RICHELIEU – Villainous First Minister of France
MADAME BUSHWHACK – Runs a rooming house
BUCK – Prime Minister of England
COUNTESS DE WHIMPER – Richelieu's top agent, some dish
MIMI – De Whimper’s handmaiden
FIFI – Another handmaiden
BIBI – Another handmaiden
MAN IN SEASIDE TAVERN – Has important paper
MAN IN THE IRON MASK – Could use a can opener
COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO – Could use a shave
EXECUTIONER – Chop, chop here, chop, chop there

CITIZENS, MEMBERS OF COURT, OTHERS, CHORUS AS DESIRED

Authors’ Note: In the premiere production at the Moorpark theatre, DARTH was played by a girl, Sandra Bunday; this is only beause no teeny talented tenors tried out for the role, so we went for a girl for matters of size; so when you announce auditions for productions of this show, please specify that your two leading roles require diminutive performers, so that the long-frustrated great-tenors-in-small-bodies show up!

In the premiere production at the Moorpark theatre, DARTH was played by a girl, Sandra Bunday; this is only beause no teeny talented tenors tried out for the role, so we went for a girl for matters of size; so when you announce auditions for productions of this show, please specify that your two leading roles require diminutive performers, so that the long-frustrated great-tenors-in-small-bodies show up!

  • Time Period 16th Century / Elizabethan
  • Setting France in the 17th century – when the throne was rocking and the King was shaking.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“A musical melodrama that is goofiness at a gallop.” – Daily News
“Take three bold, brave Musketeers, toss in a brash pint-sized would-be Musketeer, add a king who’s a giant chicken, blend with a conniving cardinal, and you've got the recipe for a musical melodrama that is goofiness at a gallop.” – Daily News

Music

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only
  • Chorus Size Small

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
1 Piano Scores
22 Vocal Books
This title is orchestrated for Piano Only

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Authors

Tim Kelly

Kelly was born in Saugus, Massachusetts on October 2, 1932. He graduated from Emerson College with a bachelor's degree and received a masters degree in play-writing from Yale University. His first stage play was Widow's Walk, published in the 1960s. At the same time, three of ...
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Jack Sharkey

Jack Sharkey (1931-1992) was born on May 6, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. He began writing when he was 10 years old. He graduated from college with a BA in Creative Writing and taught school from 1953 to 1955. In mid-1955, Mr. Sharkey enlisted in the Army, serving at Sandia Base ...

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Author

Alexandre Dumas

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