“Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers” runs April 5 to 21 at The Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem.

Playwright Ludwig (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “Crazy for You”), a York, York County, native, was commissioned in 2006 by the world-famous Old Vic, Bristol, England, to adapt Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel “The Three Musketeers.”

Ludwig, a big fan of the swashbuckler genre, wanted to update the story. He did so by adding the character of Sabine, the swordsman D’Artagnan’s feisty younger sister.

Ludwig also retold the classic story with a dose of contemporary humor and slapstick, as well as a lot of action, including plenty of swordplay.

The story is set in 1625 France, when the young swordsman D’Artagnan (Salem Perez Torres), who sets off for Paris hoping to join the king’s Musketeers.

His sister Sabine (Caitie Pagonis) is sent along with D’Artagnan, so he can deliver her to attend a convent school in Paris.

Sabine disguises herself as her brother’s male servant Planchet and quickly realizes she is not interested in convent school but would rather join her brother on adventures.

Soon after reaching Paris, D’Artagnan meets the famous musketeers: Athos (Ryan Patrick Allen), Porthos (Drake Nestor) and Aramis (Stephen Simone). He joins forces with them to defend the honor of Queen Anne of France (Amy Kramer).

In so doing, he finds himself in opposition to the most dangerous man in Europe, Cardinal Richelieu (James Dennis).

Even more deadly is the infamous Countess de Winter, known as Milady (Jillian Hetsko), who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on D’Artagnan and Sabine for their meddlesome behavior.

The cast includes Kaelin Weston, Michael Sheridan, Thomas Mattei, Kayli Silimperi, Maria Mercedes, Moriah Faith and Matthew Contakes.

The Playhouse production is directed by Gary Boyer with sets and lighting by Brett Oliveira. The 17th century costumes are by Todd Burkel. Guiding the cast in stage combat is fight captain James Dennis and sword master Chris Egging.

Ludwig’s plays have been performed in more than 30 countries in more than 20 languages. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight shows on London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are continuously staged throughout the United States and around the world.

His first play, “Lend Me a Tenor,” received two Tony Awards in 1989. His musical, “Crazy for You,” received three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 1992.

Ludwig received the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1997.

The April 13 performance is offered as “pay what you can.”

“Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers,” 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, The Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem. 610-865-6665, https://www.paplayhouse.org/

Mutimer celebration:

“A Celebration of Life for Bill Mutimer,” head of the theater department at Northampton Community College, will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 9, Lipkin Theatre, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.

Mutimer, 60, of Allentown, died March 6. He was producing artistic director of the Northampton Community College Summer Theatre, which he founded in 2017.

The celebration, which will include a cabaret with performances by NCC students, alumni and friends, is be open to the public.

Pines at Cedar:

Pines Dinner Theatre will open its new theater in June at the former Pistachio Bar & Grille, Shops at Cedar Point, 315 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown.

The dinner theater, which had been at 448 N. 17th St., Allentown for 14 years, moved when the lease on the former location was not renewed.

“Footloose the Musical,” June 1 - July 13, will open at the new location.

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com