By June April

NEW HAVEN — It’s difficult not to compare Scarlet Pimpernel, which is at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre through March 4, to Les Miserables. After all, it is the same time frame. Whereas Victor Hugo’s masterpiece (turned into a musical) can be seen repeatedly, Baroness Orczy’s book to musical can be enjoyed but once, and experienced as a pleasant enough evening at the theatre.

Though the talents of composer Frank Wildhorn are most admirable, unlike the music he wrote for Jekyll and Hyde, there does not seem to be anything one can readily recall or sing to; it just is not here. It’s not that the music is terrible, but quite the contrary: it flows with the plot and certainly adds to the play. But people just don’t walk out of the theatre humming any tunes.

The strongest elements are the story’s comic situations.

Unfortunately, there were several instances of problems with the sound system in New Haven, especially at the opening. The costumes however, designed by Jane Greenwood, are outstanding. Her numerous awards attest to her creativity, and she also happens to be a member of the faculty at Yale School of Drama.

The wig and hair designs were also notable. Paul Huntley, the man who conceived the hairpieces, clearly has a real flair for giving an accurate and rather natural look to period headgear.

The impact of the lighting design also stood out in the current New Haven production. Setting the mood, were it with sinister overtones or brighter with joyous happenings, Natasha Katz is a person whose talent is evident.

Another Yale School of Drama graduate, Andrew Jackness, has won awards for his set designs. The Scarlet Pimpernel’s varying locales are masterfully engineered, and are fine examples of how set changes can flow yet not diminish production time by waiting for the next scene to be pushed on.

Overall, the voices and acting are all good, with the villainous Chauvelin being quite exceptional in his singing. Played by William Paul Michals, this velvet-toned bass-baritone had echoes of the part of Javert that he played in Les Mis.

Elizabeth Ward Land, who has acted in The Scarlet Pimpernel for several years, plays Marie, a courageous French artist and freedom fighter. Her singing voice has the roundness and control of operatic training and it is a pleasure to listen to her sing.

Though lovely to look at, the French heroine Lady Blakeney Marguerite was sometimes too shrill in her vocalizing. The sound problems at the opening of the show were unfortunate, but she carried on, in true thespian style.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is engaging, but not engrossing. A family could enjoy this musical theatre production, but this reviewer would not consider it appropriate for young children. Middle school ages and older, especially with some parental preparation, would probably find it a memorable event.

(Performances continue almost nightly through March 4. Call the Shubert Theatre at 203/562-5666 for information concerning curtain times and ticket prices.)