Robin Hood Is A Show for the YOUNG and the Young at HEART

Town’s Guy (Keiren Minter, left) and Robin Hood (Dorian Hunter) prepare for an archery contest while Robin's Merry Men listen, during rehearsals for The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood on March 1, 2022, at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.

by Morgun Henson

Have you heard?! Next weekend, March 11-13, The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will be kicking off our 2022 theater season!

The beautiful Catherine M. Bellamy Theater will open her doors for the first time this year, inviting you to see the hilarious retelling of a classic children’s book, Robin Hood! 

According to director Tracy Sutherland, this show is “for the young and young at heart”! You might remember this story from your childhood … The heroic outlaw … Our gallant-guy-in-green… The men in tights, who always seem to be bearing weapons. However, you haven’t met our Robin Hood just yet! Join us NEXT WEEKEND for The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood —  a frantically funny, Monty Python-esque retelling of the classic. 

tracy sutherland

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood is directed by longtime ASC volunteer Tracy Sutherland. “I tell everyone who asks that Robin Hood is my absolute FAVORITE story, and being able to present a version that most people have never even considered, let alone seen or heard of, is BEYOND FUN,” says Tracy. 

Tracy is no stranger to the ASC stage, having appeared in several productions. However, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood will be her VERY FIRST show to direct! Tracy was set to direct Charlotte’s Web in March of 2020, but it was, unfortunately, canceled due to the pandemic. 

We hope you will journey with the ASC cast as they make their way through the Sherwood Forest with surprises at every turn. The characters you encounter along the way will leave you giggling to your friends and scratching your head wondering what comes next! 

This irreverent jaunt through the Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood (Dorian Hunter) will leave you with laughs you won’t soon forget! This time around, the legendary legend, in his never-ending quest to aid the needy, encounters Lady Marian (Latailyn Craig), a lovely damsel-in-distress (oddly obsessed with skin conditions); an ever-scheming Sheriff of Nottingham (Arin Bell) who would rather bowl a strike than hit a bull's-eye; Prince John (William Young), who is a gold-hoarding, bad-guy monarch wannabe; and a good-natured “Town’s Guy” (Keiren Minter), who manages to make his way into every scene, whether he belongs there or not. 

In addition to all of the hilarious encounters throughout the production, we are also introduced to several more talented actors and actresses who make this production truly shine: Loren Bell, Kaleigh Persons, Addyson Booker, Lily Jennings, Damir Johnson, Emily Scarbrough, Riley Scholes, Janiece Carolina, Kaleb Hughes, Violet Jennings, Rory Lake, Brandt Lunsford, Violet Myers, Zykirria Patton, Kaleigh Persons, Cali Reed, Casey Reed, and Gillian Rogers. 

Crystal Jennings paints the background of Sherwood Forest for ASC's production The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, on March 3, 2022.

According to Tracy, the wonderful cast and crew are what breathes life into the show. “It is all volunteer work, so that makes the hours and hours they have spent working on this show (during and outside of rehearsals) all the more special,” she explains. “It was a little intimidating at first to have over 20 young people with ages ranging from 7 to 22 all looking to me for guidance, but they made me feel right at home. Within just a few days, it was like every big, boisterous family holiday gathering you could imagine. I have especially enjoyed watching how they have grown close to each other and their willingness to help their fellow castmates.”

She continued, “Working with such a diverse group of people, cast and crew, who are all brilliant, who are all talented, who all take time away from their own lives to be here, and who are all willing to listen to my ideas and make them come alive is one of the best parts of this experience.”

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13. 

“This show has comedy, drama, suspense, romance, sports and great music! It’s a little cliché, but there really is something for everyone in this show. It even INCLUDES the audience! This show is truly a community show” says Sutherland. 

Lady Marian (Latailyn Craig, right) gives Prince John (William Young) and Sheriff of Nottingham (Arin Bell) a piece of her mind while a fawning lady (Lily Jennings) listens, during rehearsals for The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood on March 1, 2022, at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas.

The production will be at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater. 

Tickets are $13 for ASC members and seniors, $18 for nonmembers and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 870-536-3375.

We want to thank our long-time, generous sponsor Relyance Bank for making this production possible!

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood runs approximately 90 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission between the two acts. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks.