Oak
Park Festival Theatre
Robin Hood:
A Fanciful Historie of That Most Notable & Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood, by Chicagoan Scott Lynch-Giddings
Written and Performed in Elizabethan English
review by Ed Vincent
Robin Hood, portrayed by Christopher Prentice, and Maid Marian, played by Meredith Siemsen are the lead characters in
this mirthful play of yesteryear. Their love story, as the story
of the Hood himself, are well known by many, yet set in the
writing style of the world's most beloved Bard of the Elizabethan era makes this tale all that more the interesting,
and fun for all Shakespearean devotees.
Steve Pickering, the well loved local actor in many of Chicago's top theaters, plays the nasty Falconberg (aka the Sheriff of Nottingham). Mr. Pickering is a nice man, as I discovered in a pre play discussion of some of the plots and story of the well loved TV series "the Visitor". This multifaceted individual is
a pleasure on stage and complements his evil portrayal nicely
juxtaposed to the loving youthful amours of Robin and Marian.
Another stand out role is that of Little John ( a large man
named John Lyttel), played by Ted Jonas. Ted Jonas shows
us the strength of loyality and the courage of conviction to an
ideal and a friend. The talent in this production is loaded with
skills of oration, theatrics, and merry making. Sherwood Forest
looks fine in Austin Gardens, so bring your wench and feast on
your own vittles as the moon rises.
Queen Elizabeth I, it's written for
Her Highness and We.
The writing is full flavored, though easy to follow. The Austrian representative is referred to as an "Imperial Errand Boy" instead of a "bawdy fen-sucked bum-bailey" a stronger Elizabethan insult, and one more difficult to decipher in our
modern form of diction. There are plenty of well written
lines referring to the poachers of game as being forced to their
line of villany; "such men must poach for they are poached upon"-- ("His sharpest arrow is his arrowgance" etc).
Thou shouldst takest the time to come and see this treat
of live theatre and bringst thou a friend.
"An Excellent Play featuring drama, love, action, history, action with swords, acrobatics, disguises, multi-tasking actors, more
love and then some justice for balance." Highly recommended
A Fanciful Historie of That Most Notable & Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood, by Chicagoan Scott Lynch-Giddings
Written and Performed in Elizabethan English
review by Ed Vincent
Robin Hood, portrayed by Christopher Prentice, and Maid Marian, played by Meredith Siemsen are the lead characters in
this mirthful play of yesteryear. Their love story, as the story
of the Hood himself, are well known by many, yet set in the
writing style of the world's most beloved Bard of the Elizabethan era makes this tale all that more the interesting,
and fun for all Shakespearean devotees.
Steve Pickering, the well loved local actor in many of Chicago's top theaters, plays the nasty Falconberg (aka the Sheriff of Nottingham). Mr. Pickering is a nice man, as I discovered in a pre play discussion of some of the plots and story of the well loved TV series "the Visitor". This multifaceted individual is
a pleasure on stage and complements his evil portrayal nicely
juxtaposed to the loving youthful amours of Robin and Marian.
Another stand out role is that of Little John ( a large man
named John Lyttel), played by Ted Jonas. Ted Jonas shows
us the strength of loyality and the courage of conviction to an
ideal and a friend. The talent in this production is loaded with
skills of oration, theatrics, and merry making. Sherwood Forest
looks fine in Austin Gardens, so bring your wench and feast on
your own vittles as the moon rises.
Queen Elizabeth I, it's written for
Her Highness and We.
The writing is full flavored, though easy to follow. The Austrian representative is referred to as an "Imperial Errand Boy" instead of a "bawdy fen-sucked bum-bailey" a stronger Elizabethan insult, and one more difficult to decipher in our
modern form of diction. There are plenty of well written
lines referring to the poachers of game as being forced to their
line of villany; "such men must poach for they are poached upon"-- ("His sharpest arrow is his arrowgance" etc).
Thou shouldst takest the time to come and see this treat
of live theatre and bringst thou a friend.
"An Excellent Play featuring drama, love, action, history, action with swords, acrobatics, disguises, multi-tasking actors, more
love and then some justice for balance." Highly recommended
Oak Park Festival Theatre at Austin Gardens
Oak Park – July 18 – August 25, 2007
Robin Hood: A Fanciful Historie of That Most Notable & Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood, by Chicagoan Scott Lynch-Giddings. A good, old-fashioned romp through the life and times of Robin Hood, written in the Elizabethan style of the Bard. Young and old alike will thrill to the action, romance, heroes, villains and fun that answers the question: What if Shakespeare wrote a play about the legendary bandit, Robin Hood?
Thurs – Sat 8pm, Sundays 7pm
(except special Family Days performances)
Thursdays - Adults $20, Seniors/Students $17
Fridays thru Sundays – Adults $25, Seniors/Students $22
Previews July 18-20, all tickets $10
Family Days July 29 and August 5 – Theatre activities at 3:30pm, Robin Hood performance only at 5pm. Special Tickets - Family Package $45 (up to two adults and four children), Adults $20, Seniors/Students $15, Children under 12 $8, Children under 5 free.
Student Nights – July 26 and August 2. Full-time students $8.
Directed by Kevin Theis
Artistic Director, Jack Hickey*
Robin Hood - Christopher Prentice
Falconberg, the Sheriff of Nottingham - Steve Pickering*
Maid Marian- Meredith Siemsen
Sabina- Melanie Esplin
Queen Elinor- Claudia C. Vasilovik
Prince John- Alex Reimers
King Richard the First- David Skvarla
John Lyttel (Little John)- Ted Jonas
Friar Tuck- David Elliott
Will Scarlock- Steve Lenz
Maud/Herald/Maid- Charlie Cascino
Much/Servant- Michael Rosenblum
Sir Richard de la Lee/Messenger- Robert W. Behr*
Greve/Ambassador/Provost- Jeff McLane
Gravend/Archbishop Rouen/Bailiff- Kent L. Joseph
Greenleaf/Leicester/Boxley/Keeper- Paul Perroni
Coventry/Parkyson/Minstrel- Nick Vidal
Arundel/Culp/"Merry Man"- Evan Sierminski
*Denotes member of Actors Equity
Family Days: July 29 and August 5. With pre-show storytelling at 3:30pm (July 29, Kucha Brownlee and Baba Tony Brown), (August 5, Margaret Burk), stage combat demonstration and theatre activities at 4pm, and early show at 5pm (no 7pm show). Free rickshaw rides around the park, courtesy of Rickshaw Rick of Oak Park, 3 to 4:30pm.
Austin Gardens, Oak Park, IL
Corner of Forest and Ontario, Park entrance at 100 block of North Forest Avenue, One block north of Lake Street, Oak Park, IL. Austin Gardens is convenient to CTA Green Line Harlem and Metra Oak Park stations. Free parking and street parking available.
Chairs and concessions available. Accessible parking and restrooms.
708.445.4440
Tickets and information at www.oakparkfestival.com
P.O. Box 4114, OP, IL 60303
http://www.oakparkfestival.com/
Close to home and intimate. Free parking for the
night shows right across the street from Austin
Gardens. Austin Gardens is right behind the
Lake Theater on Lake and Forest Ave.
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
STARSHIP SUBS, Soups, Catering, andmore...
Falconberg, the Sheriff of Nottingham - Steve Pickering*
Maid Marian- Meredith Siemsen
Sabina- Melanie Esplin
Queen Elinor- Claudia C. Vasilovik
Prince John- Alex Reimers
King Richard the First- David Skvarla
John Lyttel (Little John)- Ted Jonas
Friar Tuck- David Elliott
Will Scarlock- Steve Lenz
Maud/Herald/Maid- Charlie Cascino
Much/Servant- Michael Rosenblum
Sir Richard de la Lee/Messenger- Robert W. Behr*
Greve/Ambassador/Provost- Jeff McLane
Gravend/Archbishop Rouen/Bailiff- Kent L. Joseph
Greenleaf/Leicester/Boxley/Keeper- Paul Perroni
Coventry/Parkyson/Minstrel- Nick Vidal
Arundel/Culp/"Merry Man"- Evan Sierminski
Fight
Choreographer, Geoff Coates
Costume Design, Jo Ellen Koppenaal
Set Design, Rebecca Hamlin
Light Design, Jeremy Getz
Sound Design, Rob Steel
Stage Manager, Katrina Hermann*
Costume Design, Jo Ellen Koppenaal
Set Design, Rebecca Hamlin
Light Design, Jeremy Getz
Sound Design, Rob Steel
Stage Manager, Katrina Hermann*
*Denotes member of Actors Equity
Family Days: July 29 and August 5. With pre-show storytelling at 3:30pm (July 29, Kucha Brownlee and Baba Tony Brown), (August 5, Margaret Burk), stage combat demonstration and theatre activities at 4pm, and early show at 5pm (no 7pm show). Free rickshaw rides around the park, courtesy of Rickshaw Rick of Oak Park, 3 to 4:30pm.
Austin Gardens, Oak Park, IL
Corner of Forest and Ontario, Park entrance at 100 block of North Forest Avenue, One block north of Lake Street, Oak Park, IL. Austin Gardens is convenient to CTA Green Line Harlem and Metra Oak Park stations. Free parking and street parking available.
Chairs and concessions available. Accessible parking and restrooms.
708.445.4440
Tickets and information at www.oakparkfestival.com
P.O. Box 4114, OP, IL 60303
http://www.oakparkfestival.com/
Close to home and intimate. Free parking for the
night shows right across the street from Austin
Gardens. Austin Gardens is right behind the
Lake Theater on Lake and Forest Ave.
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
STARSHIP SUBS, Soups, Catering, andmore...