Zephyr Theatre’s Robin Hood Steals From the Rich and Gives to the Audience

Robin Hood by Greg Banks marks the directorial debut of Twin Cities Actor and Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) Member Reed Sigmund. His greatest gift as a Director is in the casting of the play and then empowering that cast to bring their own voices to their characters and the production. The character work in this show is strong and so funny that one doesn’t know if it’s the script or the performers that make it so hysterical. This version of the Robin Hood tale is framed by a homeless camp sequence in which the four actors playing unhoused people share with the audience the legendary story, which they then enact. The Set Design and all of the costumes come from items that one might expect to be found discarded in such an encampment. There’s no note in the program of who is responsible for those aspects but they are well found and add to the surreal feel of this adventurous retelling. These aspects add a touch of appropriate timeliness to what is mostly a hilarious entertainment. I loved Sherwood when I saw it a couple of years ago at Theatre in the Round, which also featured the comedic genius of Jeffrey Nolan. I think this version of Robin Hood is my new favorite comedic take on the folklore hero. The Temperature was 109 in the shade and everyone in the audience was so entertained but what we were seeing that we forgot to even sweat.

The usual question my wife and I always ask each other is who was your favorite. But as you might expect, the question this time is who was your favorite character played by Jeffrey Nolan? I’m going to go with Prince John, but the five other characters tie as a close second. Nolan is enough to get me to any production as faithful readers will no doubt have realized by now. A more original and unique comedic voice you will not find, it feels like only a matter of time before we see him on SNL. What pushes this show into the stratosphere is the rest of the cast. Finding four other performers who aren’t going to be overshadowed by Nolan, particularly in a comedy where he plays about six different parts including a horse, seven if you include a remarkable, though brief, portrayal of a deer, is an amazing feat. But that’s what we have here. Grace Hillmyer, who readers will also be familiar with as someone who has impressed us in every role we’ve seen her in since first coming to our attention in Kinky Boots at Lyric Arts, plays among other roles Maid Marian. Hillmyer again shows us a new side of herself and her talent with this comedic side that previous roles had only hinted at.

Two of the performers I wasn’t familiar with is Antonisia Collins who plays Robin Hood, and Brandon Brooks as the Sheriff of Nottingham. From what I gather Collins has been racking up small supporting roles at CTC, well. I hope the people at CTC see this production because Collins is clearly ready for leads, which I hope to see her in again very very soon. Brooks, had apparently stepped away from acting a bit, clearly on stage is where he belongs. He is the villain of the piece, but the kind of villain you kinda love to watch. It feels like we are watching the convergence of the next group of actors that will be the ones who move on to bigger cities (please don’t) or are the ones we see constantly working at all the big theaters around town. The cast is rounded out by Jay Scoggin, who has a few small roles but mostly plays live music and provides sound effects throughout the show, which is such a fun treat, I love a live musical score in a play, especially when they are on stage and you can watch them creating the soundscape. When Scoggin does join in the show, he’s as funny as the others and very protective of his Skittles.

The Zephyr Theatre’s production of Robin Hood Runs through August 3rd at Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, MN. It’s performed in the great outdoors which reminded me of my childhood theater going experiences at Trollwood Park in Fargo, ND. This is another great show to take the whole family too, but don’t think on it too long as there is just one more weekend to catch it. For more information and to purchase tickets either the chair seats or bring your own chair go to https://www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org/home/#events

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