'The Masked Musketeer' premiers at 7 tonight
<p>Actors with the Panther Players will begin performances of the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy's production of "The Masked Muskateer" tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the school.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - "The Masked Musketeer" opens tonight at the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy.
Presented by the Panther Players of the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, the play tells the story of a small Spanish village when the men are called to Madrid by the king, leaving only the women and three unruly "boys" behind.
"It doesn't take long for the village to be overrun with bandits, so the lazy Lorenzo, Mateo and Felipe take it upon themselves to become musketeers," according to a press release. "Easier said than done."
Tracey Vaughan, academy drama teacher, said the play is "highly active and entertaining.
"Think part slapstick humor, part adventure, part parody," she said.
Cast member Caleb Drechsel, who plays Lorenzo, said the experience offered new challenges.
"It is great to work on a play with an equalized cast, without a single lead role," he said.
He described his character as "an over-aged infant mama's boy.
"He has the duties of a man thrust unwillingly upon him when the other townsmen leave to fight a war for the king. Lorenzo and his two comrades find themselves having to face the duties of being the town protectors when bandits arrive," Drechsel said.
The play opens at 7 tonight, Thursday and Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets will be available at the door. They are $6 for adults, $4 for students and children.
Vaughan said there are many new faces in the play.
"The new talent has stepped up to the plate," she said. "They have been willing to learn the ropes and seem to fit right in with the veterans."