By Alayna Een and Eliza Een, Front Row Reviewers
Back for its second year, The Lady of Sherwood by Great Hall Theatrical at the Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork, Utah, is a delightful historical romp earning its place amid myriad summer musicals. In this original take on the Robin Hood legend, Stephen and Teresa Gashler create a tale of adventure, love, intrigue, and forgiveness with plenty of humor and heart. New lines—both quippy and compelling—sharpen the story and strengthen the overall production. The revised script and talented cast make The Lady of Sherwood one of the best shows on the Angelus stage.
After a devastating betrayal by the reinstated King Richard, the men of the Sherwood—including the legendary Robin Hood—are buried and mourned by their surviving wives and daughters. The persistently oppressed peasantry finds no relief in taxes enforced by the new sheriff of Nottingham, Hawk, and the King’s cunning advisor, Lady Elinor. But a trio of merry women led by Robin Hood’s daughter, Aspen, sneak in to shake things up, much to the displeasure of both the embarrassed Hawk and the politically minded leader of Sherwood, Lady Scarlet. Tensions rise as some of the women of Sherwood prepare to overthrow the king while Aspen and Hawk try to discover their places in the shifting political sphere and address their growing affection for each other.
Aspen Hood (Sophie Rose), daughter of Robin Hood, is struggling to find her place in Sherwood, England, and the legend her father left behind. Rose has a strong playful energy that sweetens all of her shenanigans and quips throughout the play and she rises to the role’s demanding vocal part. The trusty—and troublesome—trio formed by Aspen, Isabella (Jaycie Stewart), and Beatrice (Ashley Porcelli) is a treat to watch, with inside jokes and banter bouncing between them all endlessly and eliciting continual laughs from the audience.
Porcelli’s Beatrice is a bold and brusque companion whose hot-blooded antics and witty zingers (largely improv) are a highlight of the show. But in Porcelli’s mystic solo “The Code of the Fairies” she changes her tune, and I really enjoyed seeing the balance of her softer—though still intense—energy. Stewart’s Isabella is the level-headed friend with some tricks up her tunic sleeves. Stewart girlishly gushes over Aspen’s budding romance and larks about with her buddies while bringing a touch of much-needed groundedness to the trio.
Garion Jorgensen is Hawk, the honorable and attractive sheriff of Nottingham. He immediately warms to Aspen (Rose), and their playful chemistry makes you root for the unlikely pair early on. I appreciated seeing Jorgensen’s mastery of character depth in Hawk’s political commitments and decisions. He performs his songs well and responds to Scarlet’s romantic advances with humorous reluctance. Scarlet (Lori-ann Cunningham) is Sherwood’s leader, intent on seeking revenge on King Richard for past wrongs. Cunningham’s performance sparks with determination, and she masters the intense emotions and motivations that rack the character, from vengeance to regret and unrequited love to betrayal. Her vocals resonate with energy in applause-worthy performances as she moves the plot forward. Joan Little (McKenna Miles) is Scarlet’s steadfast and stoic sidekick, and Miles’s performance is strong and nuanced.
Darin Erickson is the quippy ghost of long-dead Robin Hood, who narrates part of the story and interjects his commentary on the action. Erickson captures the spirit of the care-free rogue while having some tender moments with Aspen and Marian. Virginia Duran is the matronly Marian, ever worried about her flighty daughter and fight-ready community. She is the salve and sweetness of Sherwood, thanks to Duran’s dedicated performance. Their song “The Order of the Robin Hood” is a rousing and tender number that is the emotional center of the show.
Reprising his role as King Richard, Michael Mehner commands a crusade-worthy presence onstage, interjecting plenty of good humor and sincerity that allows the audience to like him in spite of his faults. Lady Eleanor (Chelsea Lynn Tramell) is the cunning royal advisor. With her solid vocals and careful conniving, Tramell lays the groundwork for the plot reveal in the second act and makes the moment more satisfying. The ensemble is small but mighty, filling in as cowed or rowdy peasants, renegades, and merry women and rounding out the scenes.
Director Jordan Hendrickson plays up the humor in the script and highlights the conflicting desires of the different characters, even taking on a surprising role himself. Choreographers Ashley Porcelli and Malori Pratt keep the movement as lively as the characters themselves, and I especially enjoyed the storytelling in the sea shanty song with the trio acting along and the MTV-worthy dancing guards in the pop ballad “Lock My Heart” (Music and lyrics by Ryan Tolman).
Garion Jorgenson pulls double duty as both the male lead and the set designer (with help from Eden Black and Malena Connole). The depth and versatility of the panels is a credit to him and creates space for the powerful moment at the end of the first act, in which three locations and character groups sing together with stark contrasts in purpose and desires. This contrast is also brilliantly demonstrated by the different colored lights directed at each group by lighting designer Austin Ray.
The Lady of Sherwood is both a fun summer musical full of comedy and a worthy addition to a time-honored legend. With songs that are at once entertaining and resonant and lines that are both funny and real, this play and its talented actors offer a night of fresh and original entertainment that audience members of all ages can enjoy. So join the order of the Robin Hood and catch a performance of Great Hall Theatrical’s The Lady of Sherwood at the Angelus Theatre.
A review by Front Row Reviewers
Great Hall theatrical presents The Lady of Sherwood by Stephen and Teresa Gashler with some music and lyrics by Ryan Tolman
165 N Main St, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
July 20–August 12, 2023 and 8:00 PM
Tickets: $16–$18 801-900-3035
Great Hall Theatrical Facebook Page
Great Hall Theatrical Website
Lady of Sherwood Program
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