The weakest element of the show’s writing is how it treats its women. The Merry Men looked appropriately ragtag, but all of the costume pieces felt deliberate too often, youth productions rely on actors bringing in an assortment of pieces from home, which leaves productions looking slapped together. The costumes for the “Fawning Ladies” were particularly lovely, in coordinating pastels with matching handkerchiefs and hair pieces. This plays to the production’s strengths, and Technical Supervisor Cailen Waddell makes all of that stage magic occur on command, along with Lighting Coordinator Ryann Norris and Scenery/Props Coordinator Tony Pender.Ĭostume Coordinator Maura Stewart is also a significant asset to the design team, showing great attention to detail. The “Technical Director” is an unseen character in the show and is frequently called on by the actors to create flashbacks, change scenes, and fade out various characters. Bulger succeeds, even using the puppet to “observe” the action onstage.Ī few ensemble members also make memorable appearances: Leiyla Brent as the less-than-merry Donna (who is hired to join the Merry Men anyway) and Sylas Rood, an incredibly game Little John, whom the Merry Men often use as furniture.Īpplause! is making a name for itself with far-above-average technical and design elements. Garrett Bulger (Prince John) was given a strange and challenging task: Prince John is present on stage but wears a sock puppet (complete with cape and crown!), delivering all of his lines through the sock puppet to the various characters on stage. Wright is the perfect “funny best friend in a romantic comedy.” Connor Ferguson’s Mick Jagger-ish accent seems out of place, but his Sheriff of Nottingham is a worthy adversary for Robin. Kathryn Szypulski (Lady Marian) has a knack for physical comedy and biting insults, and Zoe Wright hilariously chews the scenery as her Lady in Waiting. ![]() Somehow, Applause! seems to have held on to many talented participants, even those about to graduate high school.įelice Kho (Town’s Guy) is our narrator and audience surrogate she has strong stage presence and shows range: at various times deadpan, informative, annoyed, and enthusiastic. A frequent challenge of great youth training programs is losing those actors to more competitive opportunities as they gain experience. Although the show is often performed by elementary and middle school-aged groups, all of the leads in this production are in high school. The show is meticulously directed by Ben Slate, and his vision is aided greatly by having a relatively mature cast. He doesn’t hold back and embraces every joke and pratfall. Most importantly, Kalland commits fully to the role. Kalland’s Robin is made from the same mold as Cary Elwes in Mel Brooks's film Robin Hood: Men In Tights: a swashbuckling egomaniac who is somehow as stupid as he is charming. This is Kalland’s sixth Applause! production, so frequent audiences may know what to expect: he is a star. ![]() The ace up Applause’s sleeve is William Kalland, our titular hero. The play takes the familiar characters and storyline-Robin Hood still steals from the rich to give to the poor and tries to win Lady Marian’s hand, rescuing her from the clutches of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John-and makes it a fourth-wall-breaking farce. Surprisingly, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood from Applause! Youth Theatre has all of that, thanks to clever writing and even better direction. Monty Python’s brand of humor is visual, physical, smart, and most importantly, absurd. ![]() When a youth production is advertised as being “Monty Pythonesque,” there is good reason to be skeptical.
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