Zorro swashbuckles on Atlanta stage

Before there was Clark Kent as Superman, Bruce Wayne as Batman or Peter Parker as Spider-Man, there was Diego de la Vega as Zorro.

Whatever this earlier masked man/caped crusader lacks in terms of out-of-this-world superpowers, he more than makes up for in down-to-earth bravado.

Introduced in a 1919 magazine serial by Johnston McCulley (who penned some 60 subsequent Zorro stories), popularized in movies starring Douglas Fairbanks (in 1921), Tyrone Power (1940) and Antonio Banderas (1998) and the source of a late-’50s Disney TV show, the swashbuckling hero is now the center of his own spectacular stage musical.

The Alliance Theatre’s “Zorro” boasts action-packed stunts and special effects, high drama and hot-blooded romance — all set to the rumba rhythms of songs by the Spanish band the Gipsy Kings and the pulsating beats of flamenco dancing. Currently in previews, it officially opens on April 10 and continues through May 5.

“Zorro was really the first of those particularly American characters who fight in disguise to promote equality and justice,” said director Christopher Renshaw, who was born and raised in England. “He was the original, sort of a father figure whose sons and daughters are Spider-Man and Wonder Woman.”

The Alliance production marks the American premiere of a show that has been in various stages of development for more than 12 years. In 2008, “Zorro” began touring the world, with engagements in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Moscow and Tokyo.

“There’s such a sense of joy and a feeling of hope about the story, it speaks to audiences universally, apart from any cultural differences,” the director said

Renshaw, whose Broadway credits include a 1996 revival of “The King and I,” has been with the project every step of the way. He admits that “Zorro” has “changed and evolved a lot over the years,” but this much was certain from the very beginning: “Any musical version of this story had to place a big emphasis on the flamenco dancing,” he says, “and from there, it was kind of a no-brainer that the Gipsy Kings’ music would make a perfect fit.”

Featuring more than a dozen songs — mostly new but also including a few of the group’s previous hits (“Bamboleo,” “Djobi Djobi”) — the score is co-composed and adapted by John Cameron, with English lyrics by Stephen Clark, who co-wrote the script with Helen Edmundson. The choreography by noted Spanish flamenco dancer Rafael Amargo is performed by a company of 17 dancers.

Saulo Garrido, billed as the show’s “flamenco consultant,” is responsible for guiding and maintaining the “essence” of Amargo’s original choreography.

“Flamenco is a language I grew up with,” says Garrido, whose mother ran a dancing school in his native Madrid.

“It’s a very unique style of dance. The hand movements, the stomping, that’s very important, but it’s also sensual and earthy and passionate. Every movement is exciting. There’s an attitude, an energy, a proper Spanish flavor about it that has to come from the heart,” he said.

Set in California circa 1810, the plot pits brother against brother. Adam Jacobs portrays the noble Diego, who returns from a sojourn in Spain to challenge the corrupt rule of Ramon, played by Nicholas Carriere. Mark Kincaid is their father, Alejandro, with Andrea Goss and Natascia Diaz as the love interests, Luisa and Inez.

“Zorro” continues the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to introducing Atlanta audiences to original musicals, including such future Broadway hits as “The Color Purple,” “Sister Act” and “Bring It On!”

Moreover, its epic proportions make the Alliance an ideal venue for the new show. As artistic director Susan Booth explains it, “I was initially taken with what a great big theater story it was and how well it would fit in our space. We’ve got a huge piece of architecture in which to produce theater, so I’m always challenged by any opportunity to fill it with productions of a certain scale and scope.

“Whatever adventure means to them, audiences are going to get a real adrenalin rush from the show. For some people, it will be emotional. For others, it’ll be like a roller-coaster ride. But with all the athletic dancing and swordplay, with all the magical stunts and effects, they’re going to leave feeling exhilarated.”