DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
“Huzzah! Huzzah!” Freedom Theatre is ecstatic to end our 2021 season with The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, a well-known, family-friendly story with a modern, sassy twist. This show is packed with all your favorite characters and even a few new ones that add a little flair. The production focuses on retelling the story of the hero from English folklore with a few modern additions, such as a new style of competition and an amusing narrator. Join us in Sherwood Forest with Robin’s band of Merry Men and watch out for the Sheriff of Nottingham as you explore the castle, and enjoy a hearty laugh!
This year especially, when creativity is fading in the face of another online class, another canceled plan, another missed opportunity for a hug, we need a show like this to remind us of the importance of enjoying the little things. This play returns us to the roots of storytelling, of the hilarity of being human, of how ridiculous the stakes can be. Our show features social-distancing and masks, and the actors have been faced with the challenge of creating characters through innovation. They have risen to this occasion by creating characters through vocal expression and physicality, through dynamic mannerisms and comedic timing. The technical elements enhance their storytelling by bringing you into the world of the Sherwood Forest and the kingdom of the Evil Prince John. *Boo Hiss, Boo Hiss*
This production allowed for a depth of creativity in many elements and, most importantly, provided an opportunity for students to take the stage for a full length production for the first time since November 2019, and I could not be more proud of their work. Mounting this production under the circumstances has taken exceptional collaboration between all technical elements and performers to create a cohesive vision and a safe space. The actors not only had to play incredibly prominent characters, but they had to find a way to synthesize what people know of the story and their own creative process. The technicians had to work six to ten feet apart to design and build and paint everything you are seeing tonight. We even had to reschedule the show, and still, these students prevailed!
Without the passion and dedication of the entire cast and crew, this show could not have come together to be the production you are watching tonight. I am deeply honored to be leader of such a creative and unique group of young artists, and I would like to express my gratitude for the hard work put into this production. The incredible parent support provided the backbone for us, sitting in on rehearsals and helping to maintain guidelines while we focused on our artistic work. It took the commitment of every person involved to make this show successful, and I am so proud of the work we have done together.
Special Thanks
FHS Administration, FHS Faculty and Staff, Freedom Theatre Boosters, FHS Fine Arts Department, Neelum Chaudhry, Fred LeMaster, Tonya Smith, Kathy Koscinski, Francis Holmes, FHS Custodians, Cameron Nguyen, Megan McGraw, Barb Oliphant, Sandra Wilfong, Laura Lazarevich, Shane Wickham, Laura Rossman, Drama Parents, The Familes of the Cast and Crew, Minuteman Press, Emblemax
