Thursday, August 10, 2017

Robin Hood is a Zippy, Heroic Outlaw

Ronin Hood, now playing at Serenbe Playhouse, part of their Family Series, will be showing through Saturday, August 27, an extension made only weeks into the show when it was realized that demand for this delightful, fast-paced, super-fun show was overwhelming!

Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

If you've been to a Serenbe Playhouse performance, you know to expect the unexpected, to expect the resplendent! This tale of Robin Hood has the renegade knight, and others in this 14th Century tale (with roots perhaps as far back as the 12th Century) zip-lining through The Farmer's Market Hideaway in Serenbe—for the run of this performance known a Sherwood Forest.

This show is as magnificent as the first action 3D film you ever saw! Traipsing through woodland, swashbuckling on platforms, quarterstaff dueling across bridges in the sky, engaging in sword fights, an archery competition, and zipping through the trees, Robin Hood wins the heart of Maid Marian.

Jordan Patrick (Robin Hood) is as energetic as he is handsome, as charming as he is talented. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he shared with I and a fellow theatre-goer that he's very much enjoying his first play in the Atlanta area and excited to be a member of the 2017-2018 Apprentice Company with Serenbe Playhouse.

Casey Shuler (Maid Marian) is as splendid an actress as she is gorgeous, as as brilliant as she is a gifted thespian. A native or Louisville, Kentucky, Casey is also new to Atlanta and is excitedly a member of the 2017-2018 Apprentice Company with Serenbe Playhouse.


Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

"Robin Hood is going to be our most immersive family series to date,” says Playhouse Founder and Artistic/Executive Director Brian Clowdus. "With a set in the air, actors will be zip lining above the audience in a hidden Sherwood Forest in the most breathtaking of Serenbe landscapes."

With the assistance of a wooden crate, the towering Sheriff of Nottingham (Kenny Tran) is forceful in stating the law of the land, and the comic relief when enforcing it. He's absolutely delightful, for one wielding a sword against a hero—the one we know to steal from the rich and give to the poor!

Brady Dunn (Little John), who's not 7-feet in stature but is in charm and personality, is fantastic! The hilarious costume-change sequence with Kendra Johnson (Scarlet Will) had all the kids laughing and giggling. And Madison Welch (Captain of the Guard), who had perhaps the most 'serious' role in this production, performed brilliantly!

I highly recommend watching the acting careers of all the members of this cast...they're leaving the forest and going places! 


Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

While I've not read every story or seen every production or film of "Robin Hood", I've seen a number, and I believe this one to be an amalgamation of the original story and at least a few the films...a smart move for the modern day audience, don't you think?

In this new adaptation by Serenbe collaborator Rachel Teagle and under the direction of Broadway's Paul McGill (who was in Broadway's Spider-Man musical!), characters will "fly through Serenbe's magnificent forest on a zip line, redistributing wealth as they go!"


Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

This under-an-hour production is high-spirited, super-fun for kids and us grownups who are kids of many ages. There's a seating area up front for the little tykes. For the best viewing, arrive early and get a seat up front. Otherwise you'll see all the platform, bridge, and aerial performance just fine. And a fine performance it is! 

PERK ALERT: If you've been to a Serenbe Playhouse performance, you know that they're often more immersive than expected. The same goes for "Robin Hood"...theatre-goers have the opportunity to play games, engage in (safe) sword fights, and even have a chance to zip line themselves! How's that for awesomeness!


Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Robin Hood | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Patrick Jordan (Robin Hood), Casey Shuler (Maid Marian), and Kendra Johnson (Scarlet Will) are all members of the 2017-2018 Apprentice Company with Serenbe Playhouse. They were also cast and crew at the recent Serenbe Playhouse blockbuster "Macbeth". 

AND all six cast members of "Robin Hood" are in the highly anticipated, currently running Serenbe Playhouse show "Cabaret" starring Serenbe Playhouse Founder & Executive/Artistic Director Brian Clowdus!

Remember, Ronin Hood is playing at Serenbe Playhouse, part of their Family Series, through Saturday, August 27...you'll want to take the youngsters in your life to see it and those of us who are kids at heart will enjoy it, too! I certainly did.

Get your super-reasonably priced tickets here: TICKETS!

Serenbe Playhouse notes a few of their favorite renditions of Robin Hood in the program. Allow me this opportunity to share with you some trailers/clips of those incredibly diverse versions of Robin Hood. Enjoy...

Walt Disney's "Robin Hood" (1973)




Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights starring starring Cary Elwes.




Kermit the Frog as Robin Hood on a 1979 episode of "The Muppet Show".





Don't miss Robin Hood at Serenbe Playhouse!






1 comment:

John Garner said...

Great rread thankyou