Through Sun 2/22
Come into the green forest for a romp and a romance. To warm up February, Great Lakes Theater offers The Heart of Robin Hood directed by Jaclyn Miller. It’s a lighthearted take by author David Farr on the classic folk hero, Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.
The Hanna Theatre stage design by Courtney O’Neill features sloping platform levels. As a result, locations shift instantly from woodland to castle via surrounding wooden walls which magically reveal scene-enhancing windows and doors.
Notes from a lute set the mood before the show. Shazam heard “March of Warriors Near Carlisle Castle for Renaissance Lute.” Whatever; the music evoked olden days.
Cast members often changed identities, but color-coded costumes by Esther M. Haberlen signaled a character’s style and social class. That helped to sort things out.
The story? It’s fun, too. Robin Hood (a dashing Evan Stevens) finds himself strangely moved to leave his life of crime and become dedicated to becoming a better man after he meets Maid Marion (an intense Angela Utrera). When Marion flees castle life rather than wed wicked Prince John (a commanding Nick Steen), she hides in the forest.
Strangely, Robin doesn’t notice that the generous humanitarian young man who joins his band a short while later is Marion in disguise. But, never mind—eventually it all works out. Utrera and Stevens convey mutual passion and shared athleticism as they clamber about the set, engage in sword fights, and, ultimately, allow good to conquer.
Special mention should go to Gabi Ilg for her animated transformation into Plug the Dog. Plug acts just as a puppy should—alert, funny, and affectionate. And extra applause for Jessie Cope Miller as the castle servant who is cruelly punished for speaking out (they severed her tongue), but makes her feelings known anyway.
Yes, it’s still an appropriate show for children (with a few sassy gestures to amuse the adults who bring them).
Others in the ensemble, most of whom play multiple roles, include Kelsey Angel Baehrens, Casey Casimir, Jonathan Contreras, Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Avery LaMar Pope, Sophia Ruiz, Garbriel Subervi, M. A. Taylor, and Joe Wegner.
Bottom Line: The Heart of Robin Hood offers a bit of fantasy, humor, and warming cheer to help us through the bitter cold.
[Written by Laura Kennelly]
