Dueling Quality in ‘Musketeers’

As a straight, linear drama, Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers” presents a formidable task for anyone wanting to transfer it to the stage.

Adapter Peter Raby has simplified his job by condensing the action into 32 brief scenes, playing just over two hours. There’s not much left of the novel’s scope, excitement or drama. And it helps to know the story beforehand.

Coastline Community College’s production at Ethel Dwyer Middle School doesn’t help the script’s sparseness at all. Under Robert Michael Conrad’s direction, it moves swiftly, but that and solving the immense traffic problems of a 47-member cast seem to be about all the direction Conrad had time for.

With very few exceptions the actors overdo everything, from movement to line readings to explosive emoting. In some of the character roles this is passable, considering the period, particularly Thomas Pringle’s effeminate King Louis XIII, Tim Dunn’s leering Rochefort and Bill Ertle’s oily Richelieu.

It isn’t passable in John Matthew Sayre’s juvenile delinquent of a D’Artagnan. He grimaces and mugs and sometimes seems unsure what his lines are supposed to convey, and he looks decidedly uncomfortable when he’s fencing.

Rich Evans (Aramis) and Daniel M. Krebs (Porthos) are colorless, but Leif Ekberg’s Athos at least seems at home in his dialogue. He’s also at home in his costume, which many of the cast aren’t.

Director Conrad also plays the British Duke of Buckingham well, but the performances that work best are from female cast members.

Although Nicole Wescombe’s villainous De Winter is too campy and vampy, she has some valid moments. Alternate Sherry Mattson as De Winter’s maid Kitty, and alternate Michelle Sturm as D’Artagnan’s heartthrob Constance, are effectively restrained and read their lines well.

The best performance all round is Rebecca Grahek’s as the Queen. She’s believable and doesn’t let the sketchy writing keep her from developing a rounded characterization.

* “The Three Musketeers,” Ethel Dwyer Middle School, 1502 Palm Ave., Huntington Beach. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends May 23. $9. (714) 241-6154. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

John Matthew Sayre: D’Artagnan

Nicole Wescombe: Milady de Winter

Rich Evans: Aramis

Daniel M. Krebs: Porthos

A Coastline Community College production. Adapted from the Alexandre Dumas novel by Peter Raby. Directed by Robert Michael Conrad. Set: Nicole Wescombe. Costumes: Dee Ann Brown, Michelle Sturm. Fight choreography: Dav Nickerson. Sound and lighting: Joee Contreras.