Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Kate Bergstrom
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
March 21, 2025
Matt Lytle, Jayne McLendon, Michael James Reed, CB Brown, Louis Reyes McWilliams
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Rep is closing out its 2024-2025 season with a wildly entertaining bit of adventurous fun. With nods to the classic story, filmed versions, and especially Monty Python, Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood is a hilarious, engaging adventure from start to finish. With vivid, whimsical storybook-styling and an enthusiastic, well-chosen cast, this is a show that’s a delight for all ages.
The Robin Hood story has been told many times in various forms, and the marvelous, vividly realized set by Lindsay Mummert and Courtney O’Neill evokes a giant pop-up storybook surmounted by a massive oak tree. The cast led by Michael James Reed’s Friar Tuck, who narrates much of the story, introduces us to the story of the titular hero, Robin Hood (Louis Reyes McWilliams) in the middle of the action, as he’s about to be executed by the government of the greedy Prince John (Eric Dean White), conducted by the vain Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Matt Lytle), but then the story flashes back to the very beginning, as Robin of Locksley is born and grows up as a member of the nobility and is soon made aware of the oppression of the Saxons by the Norman conquerors. Upon saving the lives of a miller and his daughter, Deorwynn (Fabiola Cabrera-Davila), Robin starts on a mission to right wrongs and help the poor and oppressed throughout England, rousing the ire of Prince John, Sir Guy, and Sir Guy’s henchman, the foppish Sheriff of Nottingham (David Weynand). Along the way, Robin draws a following, making friends with Friar Tuck along with Little John (CB Brown), and others, and becomes reacquainted with his childhood friend Maid Marian (Jayne McLendon), who had been sent away to France and has returned having become an expert archer and involved in a situation that makes things more complicated for both her and Robin. As the story progresses, many of the familiar Robin Hood tales are told, and adventure ensues as Robin and his merry band lead the fight for justice for the poor and wait for the return of the absent King Richard.
The tone of this show is decidedly comic, although there are occasional moments of heartfelt drama. The style takes a fair amount of influence from Monty Python specifically, with one hilarious direct nod that I won’t spoil, but that audiences familiar with the source will recognize as soon as they see it. The characterizations are broad and not exactly caricatures, but with the villains veering more into that territory than the heroes, which provides great comic fodder for the actors. Lytle, Weynand, and White especially seem to be having a marvelous time hamming it up in villainous ways, but the heroes also have their moments to shine, led by McWilliams in a heroic turn as Robin and McLendon as the fiery, gutsy Marian who is in every way Robin’s match. Reed, Brown, and Cabrera-Davila also turn in strong, characterful performances, ably supported by Oriana Lada in a variety of roles and DeAnté Bryant as Troubadour, accompanying the cast on guitar as the story goes along.
There’s a lot of music in this show, actually, composed in a traditional folk-style by music director Colin McLaughlin and played and sung throughout the show by various cast members. There’s also dynamic fight choreography by Rachel Lee Flasher and Zachariah Payne, who also serve as intimacy choreographers. The glorious set is augmented well by means of Christina Watanabe’s excellent lighting and Amanda Werre’s proficient sound design. The costumes, by Dottie Marshall Englis, are meticulously crafted and colorful, fitting in with the overall whimsical tone of the show and working well with the aforementioned stunningly realized set.
In no uncertain terms, Sherwood is simply a hilarious, adventurous romp through the forest, with an adventurous spirit and an enthusiastic cast that gives this production an extra dose of warmth, charm, and chaotic energy. It’s a comedic triumph for director Kate Bergstrom and the entire cast and crew. There’s even a clever use of audience participation at various points, providing even more enjoyment to this bold and simply fun adventure in Sherwood Forest.
Matt Lytle, David Weynand
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood until April 13, 2025