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Festival Theatre’s production of The Three Musketeers in St. Croix Falls is a fast-paced, swashbuckling adventure that leans into everything that makes the classic story fun. There are heroes and villains, sword fights, romance and plenty of laughs packed into a two and a half hour production that rarely slows down.

Director Jesse March creates a larger-than-life world where the actors are allowed to have some fun with their characters and the audience is encouraged to go along for the ride. 

At the center of the story is Evan Grande as D’Artagnan. Grande brings plenty of youthful enthusiasm to the character and does a nice job balancing D’Artagnan’s determination to prove himself with some of the comedy that comes from his inexperience.

Hannah Vath is equally strong as Sabine, D’Artagnan’s sister. Grande and Vath have great chemistry together and are believable as siblings throughout the production. Both actors are able to move between the more serious moments and the show’s broad comedy without either side feeling out of place. I laughed the hardest when Vath was at her best.

The Musketeers themselves are a very entertaining part of the show, of course, with each bringing a different personality to the group.

Mary Margaret Hughes gives Athos a wonderfully stoic presence. She comes across as the leader of the Musketeers and gives the group a steady presence when everything around them gets chaotic.

Jaden Lily brings plenty of charm to Aramis and plays up the character’s romantic side nicely. Christian Watts, meanwhile, is a standout as Porthos and provides much of the comic relief. Watts has excellent comedic timing, and his physical comedy earns some big laughs throughout.

The villains are every bit as important to a show like this,  as the Musketeers need some meddle. and Festival Theatre has a couple of good ones.

Lily Alice Linz makes an impression as Milady, fully embracing the dark villainy the role calls for. She fits right into a production where characters are encouraged to play their emotions right to the audience.

Isaac Bont is also excellent as the terrorizing and scheming Cardinal Richelieu. Bont brings an intimidating presence to the role and does a great job making Richelieu feel like a legitimate threat while still fitting into the show’s melodramatic style. There are even moments when he turns that intimidating presence toward the crowd and makes you feel like you might be in trouble yourself — and we weren’t even part of the play!

Some of the most enjoyable moments come from the production’s physical comedy and fight choreography. The sword fighting is exciting, theatrical and, most importantly, easy to follow. A large fight involving much of the cast is one of the highlights of the night and gives the audience exactly the kind of swashbuckling action you would hope to see from The Three Musketeers.

The actors’ commitment to the physical side of the show helps keep the production moving. The fights never feel like they are only there because the story requires them. They are part of the fun and often bring comedy into the action as well.

The set design and music also fit the production nicely. Both help establish the storybook atmosphere without distracting from what is happening on stage.

That is ultimately what makes March’s production work. It understands what kind of show it wants to be and leans into the more exagerated personalities of some of the characters.

There are certainly dramatic moments, but The Three Musketeers is at its best when everyone is having fun with the adventure. It embraces the melodrama.

Festival Theatre’s The Three Musketeers has sword fights, laughs, romance, memorable villains and a cast that seems to be having just as much fun performing the show as the audience is watching it.

For anyone looking for an entertaining summer night at the theater, this trip to 17th-century France is well worth taking. 

The show is playing on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. andSaturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through August 30. Tickets are available at festivaltheatre.org.

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