THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL "The Riddle" '98 Revision

Finale Act One, with Douglas Sills, Rachel York, and Rex Smith, in the revised version of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" that arrived on Broadway in fall 1998, one year after the show's first opening in '97.

[@bobbullen6722]

Rachel York with that cane at the end is a MOOD.

[@phoenixfire124]

I have the biggest crush on Douglas Sills' singing voice

[@bellamoya4101]

Rachel York is so underrated 😩

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I agree!

[@mosshart21]

This must've been recorded very early in the revision run... I remember all the advertising they ended up using deep into the run had Rachel York in a red-haired wig, not brunette here like Christine's. Thanks for posting. This show's whole history still fascinates me.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Interesting information. What you see here would be exactly what the critics saw when they re-reviewed the show in '98. This video was shot on Oct. 31, and Brantley's re-review in the Times appeared on Nov. 5.

[@ashareeoo]

Thank you for both videos! Scarlet Pimpernel is so fun.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I agree---it is fun.

[@seabelle66]

My favorite song from this brilliant show!!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

It could also be my favorite from the show.

[@ronaldmoskovitz6630]

Douglas Sills is a God

[@erpollock]

This was a much better performance and staging than the original just before. Rachel York has a stronger voice, though I take exception to one climactic note held too strongly. The use of the three principals instead of adding on the ensemble at the end was a wise choice, and kept your focus on their performance rather than introducing extranea. Rex Smith doesn't have the mean streak that Terrence Mann can summon effortlessly, but his singing was sufficient. Thank goodness they kept Douglas Sills, his voice is a marvel of nature. Except for that ridiculous tiger skin he's wearing!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, definitely better with just the three leads---that fast curtain on just the three actually made for an exciting finale for the first act.

[@frostylunetta]

And I always love the way Rachel York sings "to see how virtue repays you, you turn..."...love the lengthened "turn" than Christine Andreas' brief "turn"...but we'll, both actresses are phenomenal in their own way

[@derikshopinski5651]

That jacket is epic and iconic!! Stunning

[@wheresthegirlmitchell9475]

YES! Rex as Chauvelin is the Best! Although I'd much rather see Rex in a "Hero" role he plays wicked quite well in this musical. Still sooo Handsome!!

[@Shaeniff]

Yes, I still loved his role in The Incredible Hulk as Daredevil. But he is really good here, too.

[@marcmantell940]

love this and thank you for posting

[@RosesNightengales]

Rex is my favorite Chauvelin! I have an album with him in it; However; I wish in the album it was Rex singing The Riddle; but, its Terry Man They recently brought it back; and i'm sad that the one night only concert event wasn't filmed nor was it on TV :(

[@rafaelevenezio3074]

This is great! My favorite show. Do you have full versions of this show and others on dvd?

[@RosesNightengales]

Auror Spiderwoman: Is it possible if you could post more Pimpernel things?!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Glad you liked these. You can find four other "Pimpernel" clips on my channel, three with the original '97 cast and one with Carolee Carmello as Marguerite.

[@RosesNightengales]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 Oooo! I love Carolee Carmello! I saw her in the Adams Family ! Sweet; Do you know if you could post the recent anniversary of the Pimpernel ?

[@RosesNightengales]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 I just looked there; and I don't see Carolee :'(

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@RosesNightengales kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4Gxo56Ie755lZo

[@frostylunetta]

My favourite Marguerite is Amy Bodner and Chauvelin is William Paul Michals

[@isabellamoya3934]

Do you have the full thing? 🥺

[@twilightsparkle7659]

0:37

[@PecanSandees23]

Give me the original cast every time. I saw both versions and was incredibly disappointed with this one. The original cast record is wonderful. Too bad you can't rent the original script, just this one. I'll keep listening to the cast recording and skip this one. Never understood why they decided to redo the show.