February 19, 2025
A legendary English folk hero, comes to the Cutting Hall stage in Robin Hood and His Merry Men, March 14-15. Directed by Julie Price, this comedy features Robin Hood, who with the help of his merry men (who are mostly women) robs from the rich and gives to the poor. This retelling of the classic story includes thumb wars, missed cues and a slow-motion fight scene!
Three shows are offered at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St. One performance on March 14 takes place at 7:00pm with shows March 15 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased at cuttinghall.org for $15.
“Our story of Robin Hood and His Merry Men is an interactive, comedic, loose retelling of the 700-year-old legend of Robin Hood,” Price said. “Many of those legendary characters are featured including Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Prince John, Sheriff of Nottingham, Friar Tuck, Little John, Duncan, and King Richard. Although the show is based on a medieval tale, it is told with a present-day viewpoint, suitable for all ages.”
Price said she chose Robin Hood because it is a large cast script that lends itself to being performed by both adults and students. “Plus it is very funny and I always like a good comedy that can be interactive with an audience,” she said. The cast is comprised of 18 adults and 11 students.
Keith Emroll, of Chicago, has been involved in theater, both onstage and behind the scenes for 26 years. Emroll plays the story’s bad guy, Prince John. “I absolutely love playing the bad guy!” he said. “You can be an out-and-out villain like Prince John, or you can be a misunderstood montster like the creature in Frankenstein, or you can just be a mischievous rascal like Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest,” he explained. “When you play the hero, there are built in expectations and moral standards that you have to adhere to – otherwise, you’re not a hero. But when you’re the villain? All bets are off, anything goes, and I can’t think of a more fun way to spend my time onstage!”
Emroll doesn’t base his character on others he has seen in plays or on television. “Honestly, when I’m playing a role that has reference points – whether it’s a movie or another stage production – I try to go out of my way to avoid watching those versions,” he said. “I really want to interpret the character my way and bring my own energy to the role. After all, that’s what acting is all about! The audience deserves something original and memorable, which is what I hope I can give them.”
Emroll encourages both kids and adults to see the performance. “ Movies and tv are great, but nothing matches the electricity of a live performance,” he said. “Plus, with all the time we spend in front of screens, it’s just nice to take part in an experience with other human beings. Seeing a big, broad comedy like Robin Hood and His Merry Men is a perfect little dose of self-care that will sweep all your troubles away for a few hours!”
Carly Mulert, a member of Palatine Park District’s youth theater staff also plays a bad guy, Sheriff of Nottingham. “It is always way more fun to play the bad guy,” she agreed. “It’s a comedic part and I get to play off of my sidekick who is one of the best scene partners I could ask for. When teaching theater, I like to tell students that theater is a collaborative experience. I believe I have brought that same encouragement into Robin Hood rehearsals. When I am acting and performing, I get to have fun. I get to be 100% myself when I am performing.”
Cast member Faith Hollander is also a member of the District’s youth theater staff. “I grew up in Palatine doing the park district theater classes and have been involved in theater since I was 10, so about 19 years.”
Hollander is enjoying her role as Maid Marian. “She has been a very fun character to bring to life,” she said. “Yes, she is often the damsel in distress, but she also isn’t just going to sit around and wait to be saved. I love getting to bring a bit of sassiness to her in this production.”
Hollander said that working in youth theater has, in some ways, changed how she approaches acting, especially in an all-ages show. “I am more aware of my own actor bad habits that I don’t want to pass onto my students,” she said. “Being conscious that these young actors are watching my process and absolutely will call out any hypocritical behavior, has pushed me to be better, to memorize faster, and to be very “on” during the rehearsal process. Both working behind the scenes and being onstage has taught me a lot about confidence and leadership,” she said.
In fact, introducing children to live theater has many benefits. Children can immerse themselves in imaginative worlds, encouraging them to develop a broader understanding of different ideas, perspectives, and cultures. Other positive attributes given to watching live theater include enhancing communication skills, improving a child’s listening, comprehension, and verbal communication skills, improving concentration and attention, understanding social skills and encouraging an appreciation for the arts.
Enjoy an afternoon or evening at the theater, right in your own hometown, and escape to a world of legendary heroes and villains with more than a few laughs in between!
