By Samuel Barber
Robin Hood, The Musical by Emerson-Smith Media is performing again in Provo. It is one of the most enjoyable plays that you will ever see. I saw this play about a decade ago and have been humming the music ever since. Director Pam Lockwood is a relative of Tony Cobb and Karrol Cobb who wrote the music for Robin Hood, The Musical. She directed it first time I saw it, and is doing a wonderful job with it again. The play is being performed outside at the Castle Amphitheater, found at the very eastern tip of Center Street in Provo; while it makes for the perfect setting and stage for a play like Robin Hood, The Musical, Lockwood and her group are looking to raise funds to purchase a theater so that they can put on productions in a more controlled area. They had one a short time ago, but due to sinister acts worthy of the Sheriff of Nottingham they are back to square one. All donations toward their goal are appreciated. They have gathered their own merry band together for this purpose, and instead of picking our pockets they are presenting this marvelous rendition of the beloved tale of Robin Hood.
Alek Jordan, from Southern Utah, plays the rogue Robin Hood who wants nothing more than to strike it rich and hightail it for somewhere a little less remote than the small city of Nottingham. He and his best friend Little John (Christian Hansen) use the oppressive circumstances of the shire to convince the townsfolk to help them gather their funds under the pretense of raising a ransom for King Richard, who was captured far away on the battlefield. It takes some convincing, but thanks to the clever wordplay in the song “Steal from the Rich,” they manage to get the loyal citizens of the shire on their side. The both of them have various songs that they sing but I think their best ones are “Feather in My Cap” sung by Jordan, and “Sherwood” sang by both men and their merry band.
Meanwhile, in Nottingham Castle, we find the selfish Sheriff of Nottingham, played by seasoned performer Jonathon Mier. Mier has been in many different productions and puts on a wonderful portrayal of a small town sheriff who wants to go places in life. He is unmistakably bad, but he shows a softer side during the song “London,” where he tells his lackey the Constable (Ashton Dutson) his vision of living in London, where things happen. This song made me laugh as Mier’s character is trying to build a solid image of his dream complete with beautiful girls dancing in white around them, but Dutson repeatedly frightens them and the dream away by reminding Mier of his duties, and the problem they have with thieves. The two have a good dynamic with Dutson playing the thick-headed but loyal lackey who has the worst timing, and Mier as the cruel sheriff who is desperate to get out of Nottingham by any means necessary.
The means which Mier is looking for is sent to him by Prince John (Jonathan Street) in the form of the King’s ward Maid Marian. Hannah Cobb plays the fair maiden who becomes the target of both the Sheriff’s and Robin’s affections. Cobb and her handmaiden Roslyn (Torrey Kelly) are loveable and clever in their interaction not only between themselves but with Mier as well, who is set on wooing the unfortunate Marian. Hannah Cobb takes part in many of the songs, but I think her best performance is when she and Jordan sing the duet “If You Have a Dream.” She is a young performer and struggled to find some of the notes in a few of the previous numbers, but during the duet and after she has an easier time of it. I have no doubt that over the course of the performances that she will only get better as she has a wonderful voice.
The rest of the cast of merry men and townsfolk are very enjoyable to watch. Megan Graves played barmaid Ingrid, the love interest of Little John and mother of Cliff (Ivory Cazier), the child advocate of justice. Graves and Hansen are very cute as their characters courted one another, and even have their own musical number “Love was Only a Legend.”
Grover Allred, who plays Will Scarlet, and Eduardo Alencar, who plays Friar Tuck, lead the cast in the song “Robin Hood Rides Tonight.” That song gave me goosebumps. It reprises a few of the other songs such as “London” and “How does a Fellow get Ahead in Life” and really sets the stage for the climax. Allred has a good strong voice and is easy to hear on all of his lines and songs. Alencar does an amazing Friar Tuck, and also doubles as the bishop. He pulls off one of the smoothest and funniest drunk scenes that I have seen.
The rest of the cast does a marvelous job as well, and have many funny interactions between them. This was the first time that they performed all the way through so there were a few lines that were missed, and technical issues but they covered it well with smooth improvisation and clever leading lines to help keep the story moving.
It should be noted that this group is putting on this play with shorter rehearsal times so it might not be as polished as something you would see at a professional theater. Also, because the show is outside it does take a bit in the beginning to get the lights adjusted. However, it truly is an enjoyable play. The cast has fun while they are performing, and are very entertaining. The acting and lines feel real and the story progresses smoothly throughout. It is a good play for families, and something that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Lockwood has another team in the background of the production. She runs the music, but Josh Francis is her Technical Advisor, Mathew Makin is Tech Director, Ethen Robyns is Tech Assistant. The Scenic Artist is Katie Young, and Tacoma Jessop, Allred, and Jordon are set captains. Hannah Cobb and Jessop team up as Dance Captains. And Jessop and Allred as Fight Captains create awesome fighting routines.
Robin Hood, The Musical is performing at the Castle Amphitheater and is outside. It runs from 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM. The amphitheater is made from stone, with large stone rows cut like giant steps to sit on. You can fit a camp chair on most of the rows or use a blanket as a cushion. Being that the sun is gone by the end of the play it gets chilly, so bring a blanket.
Also, the performance is done without microphones so the closer you sit the easier it will be to hear. The actors are doing their best to speak up and sing loudly, but I found that it was easier to hear when I moved from the middle of the seats to about three rows from the front. Also, while there is a lot of seating, parking is fairly limited right next to the castle, so I suggest parking by the park, and taking the short walk up the hill to the Amphitheater. The Amphitheater is hidden fairly well behind the Utah State Hospital. In order to find it you have to drive almost into the hospital parking lot and the take a left to curve around behind the building.
Despite the minor technical errors and difficulty hearing on the first night, I believe that this wonderful production will only get better as the play progresses, and if I hadn’t been able to see it last night, it would definitely have a spot on my calendar for the week to come. Don’t miss out this opportunity to see Robin Hood, The Musical. This is a great show for families, as a date, or a bunch of folks wanting something to do that is fun, exciting, and entertaining. And the weather is perfect—not the hot hot it’s been all summer at the Castle.
Emerson-Smith Media presents Robin Hood, The Musical by The Brothers Cobb, Libretto by Tony Cobb, Music by Karrol Cobb.
The Castle Amphitheater, 1300 E Center Street, Provo, Utah 84606
Sept. 20-29, 2018 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: $6 Children, $7 Students/Seniors, $9 Adults, $35 Family Pass (Immediate Family Only)
Tickets purchasable at the door.
Pamela Arts Facebook Page
Robin Hood, The Musical Facebook Event
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