When we think of swashbuckling, capes, French accents and an evil Cardinal, the first number that pops into our heads is three. But members of Commedia del Arte have but a new spin on an old tale with their original comedy based on the work of Alexandre Dumas.

Commedia Founder and Director Shari Presrtwood gave a little insight into the more-musketeers, more-fun plot.

“We often take our ideas from history or literature as it gives us a chance to bring it alive for a modern audience—we found in the past quite often children and young adults generally do not receive exposure to the classics and this provides our audience a chance to view a classic piece in terms which are enjoyable and memorable,” she explained. “As for the plot, we based the play on Dumas’s original classic with a twist to make it fit Commedia style; we have added a fifth musketeer ,who provides a lot of comedy for the production.”

“The Musketeers once again must strive to save the innocent queen from Cardinal Richelieu. This play has something for everyone from sword fighting to court intrigue. All ages will enjoy this family friendly classic made modern , humorous and fast paced .”

The play is sure to delight audiences, just as it delights the actors who bring a taste of France to Alabama.

“My experience as a fencing instructor allows me a basis for Aramis, who is a master swordsman,” she divulged. “Since there are four major characters who are very close companions, we who are playing the main musketeers spent time researching the time period and activities that king’s guards would have done.”

“Plus as Commedia is a close knit group we have to build complete trust with each other, relying on each to fall in to harmony especially with the live steel weapons, this trust allows us to show the friendship among the musketeers.”

Nicole Schlaudecker also finds sport in getting into character.

“I play Athos, who is sort of the ringleader of the Musketeers; he’s a challenge because he is utterly unlike any other character I have played,” she began. “But the benefit of being a Commedia del Arte member is that when Shari writes the plays, she custom-fits each character to the actor who will be playing that person—so Athos, while true to the Alexandre Dumas character of The Three Musketeers fame, is tailored to challenge me and make the best use of my strengths.”

“This is true for every player, and is why we are unique as a theatrical company. When we’re doing a literary play like this, I like to get the book and read it to get an in-depth feel for the character I’m playing. If I understand their mindset and history before the events of the play, it informs my character’s personality and tells me how they would likely react within each scene. I can carry that over and, with Shari’s help and guidance to refine it, bring a fully three dimensional person to our audience.”

She said this play, along with all her dealings with the group, make her life a little sweeter.

She admitted that, “Commedia is a huge part of my life. It’s my family, my best friends, my home away from home. I’ve been in the group for ten years, and I’m looking forward to the next ten with CdA. I’ve always wanted to act, and I love sharing the stories we tell with our audience. It’s a chance to bring the magic of history and literature to life, to share in an adventure, then turn around and bring total strangers into that adventure with me. I love every aspect of this troupe, of acting, of performing, and I can’t imagine my life without Commedia.”

Audiences will have three opportunities to see the play: 7 p.m. April 7 and 14 at the University of South Alabama Mobile campus Humanities Auditorium 170 and 7 p.m. May 5 at the University of South Alabama Baldwin County Performing Arts Center in Fairhope. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door and children 5 and younger are free or Like the group on Facebook for a chance to win free tickets: Commedia del Arte of Mobile. Order tickets online through commediadelarte.org. For more, call 510-0654 or email Commedia_del_Arte_Mobile@yahoo.com.