VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance takes “The Three Musketeers” in new directions this week.

Playwright Ken Ludwig, best known for comedic farces such as his Tony Award-winning “Lend Me a Tenor,” creates a fun adaptation on Alexandre Dumas’ famed novel of adventure and intrigue in the French court of King Louis XIII.

While audiences can expect plenty of fighting and swordplay, the VSU production includes a few choreographed dance and music scenes.

Ludwig gives D’Artagnan, the young man who wishes to become a musketeer, a sister who also has the courage and heart of a musketeer.

In Ludwig’s version, Sabine, the sister, makes a mark in a world of men, but in the VSU production, she enters a world where women are already musketeers.

Two of the Three Musketeers are women here.

Morgan E. Boesch plays the lover of life Porthos. Elinor Fenimore plays the ambitious Aramis. David Bass plays the life-hardened Athos.

Ian Andersen, show director and fight choreographer, said some adjustments were made to the script to accommodate the casting.

Choices also reflect the reality that VSU, like college and university theatre programs across the nation, have far more female students than males.

Andersen said Boesch is also VSU Theatre’s best swordsperson. In addition to playing Porthos, she is the show fight captain.

While the Three Musketeers are known for their male swagger, they may be better known for their valor and camaraderie – qualities that transcend gender.

“It’s a bit Hamiltonesque,” Andersen said, referring to the musical “Hamilton” and its diversity in casting.

As for tone, Andersen said he wanted to create an atmosphere that is sexy and fun, with a look and feel that blends the high adventure and bodices of the 1970s movies starring Michael York, Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Lee and Charlton Heston with the dark leather costuming of the 2011 version with Logan Lerman, Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich, Ray Stevenson and Christoph Waltz.

Even though the emphasis is on adventure and comedy throughout the majority of the show, the story still has its heavier elements, such as Athos’ heartbreak in being betrayed by Milady, the love of his life.

“I always tell students that ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is a comedy until Mercutio dies,” Andersen said.

Same for “The Three Musketeers.”

“It’s light and fun,” Andersen said, “until it’s not.”

THE CAST: Taiger Glenn, Anna Noelle Robinson, Tyler Kent, Jameila Fulton, Quint Paxton, Morgan E. Boesch, David Bass, Elinor Fenimore, Matt Cline, Melba M. Miller, Nemo Rico, Ari Mangus, Mia Washington, Carter Exum, Lillabeth Mason, Maren Nixon, Drew Champion, Alyssa Leo, Victoria Kanes, Anna Ramsey, Emory Davis, Ella Risa Marroquin, Dorian Chancey, Stephen Sykes, Suzannah Gaston, Christina Gerber, Gabe Rodriguez, Andy Nguyen, Jaxie Watts, Jaclyn Taylor.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Ian Andersen, director/fight choreographer; Blair Andersen, choreographer with inspiration from Michael Peters; Madison Grant, scenic designer/technical director; Chalise Ludlow, costume designer; Ella Risa Marroquin, assistant scenic designer; Morgan E. Boesch, fight/intimacy captain; Ian Andersen & Kyle W. Jensen, sound designers; Jolie DesRuisseau, stage manager.

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance presents Ken Ludwig’s “The Three Musketeers,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 14; 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

Reservations, more information: Visit Call (229) 333-5973 or visit http:// www.valdosta.edu/comarts.