‘Robin Hood’ is on point
First Stage blends ‘Princess Bride,’ Python, Stooges
Among the plays I’ve covered in the past month, there have been three about war in the Middle East, two about terrorism and two featuring mass murder, as well as plays involving dementia, suicide, child abuse, nuclear war and loneliness.
Worthy endeavors, all, and also customary at this time of year, during which theater companies are most prone to get serious. But shoot me with an arrow for laughing my head off Friday night during the opening of First Stage’s hilarious “Robin Hood,” a world premiere created by Joe Foust and John Maclay under the direction of Jeff Frank.
A blend of “Princess Bride,” Monty Python and the Three Stooges, this wildly anachronistic look back at 14th century England includes a discussion of how to pronounce calzone. An eager apprentice who describes her latest gadget as still in the “research and development phase.” And priceless lines like “you smell of failure and inexpensive snack crackers.”
It also includes swashbuckling swordplay and fighting with quarterstaffs (Foust, who is also a stitch as an evil bishop, is fight choreographer). A riotously, deliberately bad series of musical ditties (sung by Jack Burns in the Sherwood cast of young performers on stage Friday), such as “he took from the wealthy to make the poor healthy.” And in a piece that loves its physical comedy, a wickedly clever game of charades.
Yes, there’s also a simple and straightforward plot, unfolding after we’re given individual characters’ backstories. Robin (a dashing Dominique Worsley), Friar Tuck (a clowning Tommy Novak) and Little John (a gruff but also tenderhearted James Fletcher) are captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham (John Maclay, channeling his inner Gaston).
That leaves the task of rescuing them to Maid Marian (a joyfully confident Allie Babich) and six apprentices, each played by a young performer.
Four of those six are given room in the script to develop individuated characters: Geoffrey the troubadour (Burns), the naysaying Much (Nicholas Doermann), the resolutely silent Sir Thomas (Teddy Esten) and the spirited Elizabet (Anna Fitzsimmons). Joined by apprentices Kate (Grace Berendt) and Joan (Taylor Loomans), they get to work on saving the day.
For all the fun and foolishness that’s had along the way, this gang of six embodies what both Babich’s independently minded Marian and First Stage itself continually champion: our ability to change the world, as long as we believe in ourselves and work together. Marian speaks loudest for being one’s own person; Little John does most to espouse teamwork. And Robin? Worsley suggests that a true hero can be kind as well as fierce. A champion of justice, even when that means breaking the law. Filled with fun, even when he’s imparting life lessons. Par for the course, with this “Robin.” It flies true and scores a bull’s-eye.