Mom Theatre Blogger: Robin Hood: Show Review by Robin Gorman Newman

The Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Robin Hood opened the 20th Anniversary season of The New Victory Theater, and it got the season off to a high energy and highly entertaining jumpstart….literally.

Written by Greg Banks (Tir Na N’og, New Vic 2000) and directed by Allison Narver, the versatile cast of four convincingly takes on more than a dozen roles to bring the legend of England’s famous outlaw to life.

Originally commissioned and produced by Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis) and produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences, this presentation appeared on the Seattle Children’s Theatre stage in 2011 and returned by popular demand to close their 2014-15 season. The New Victory presentation of Robin Hood marks the first theatrical adaptation to return to the New York stage since 1944.

Hans Altwies plays the title role while Basil Harris, Hana Lass and David Quicksall appear as Nottingham’s famous/infamous characters, including  Maid Marian, King Richard, Prince John and Little John.

My son (age 12) and I enjoyed the show, and there were many younger kids in the audience who were highly amused. The production is very child friendly, encouraging audience participation, including two youngsters having the opportunity to partake in a sack race onstage along with the characters, as part of the play.  At other moments, the audience is encouraged to stand up and cheer along with the cast, and actors come into the audience collecting money for the poor (in the show).

The cast is hardworking and likable.  They move about the set quickly and athletically and ease seamlessly into different characters, with the help of quick costume changes.  The sound effects, including sirens and the galloping of horses, lends a lot to setting the atmosphere.

This is a thoughtfully and well-executed production on every level. The production team is led by set designer Jennifer Lupton, whose playground of wooden ramps and ropes accommodate the deft choreography by fight director Geoffrey Alm.  Costume designs is by Catherine Hunt, lighting by Geoff Korf and sound by Chris R. Walker.

ROBIN HOOD has a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, including one intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages seven and up.

Tickets are available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010).  The show is playing through October 11.

Tags: family enteretainment, kids show, mom theatre blogger, new victory theatre, nyc off broadway, robin hood