By: Astro Johnson, Cali Closs, Drewe Griffin, and Emily Conover
Get ready for a night of nostalgia and laughter as Camden High School’s Drama Club returns to the stage with a fan favorite, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood! This action-adventure comedy has been performed on hundreds of stages in countless renditions. However, this isn’t quite the traditional tale our community might expect—it’s a slapstick parody of the original! With references ranging from mainstream tunes like Baby Shark to a kingdom-wide bowling tournament, this performance is sure to entertain.
In The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, we open in the scenic woodland better known as Sherwood Forest. Here, we meet our trusty narrator, Towns Guy (Brooklyn Waterman), who guides us through the story. He introduces us to our chivalrous hero of the underfed, Robin Hood (Gage Grinnell), a champion of the people who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
Soon after, we meet the good-hearted Friar Tuck (Astro Johnson), who serves as both a father figure to Robin and the voice of reason among the people of Sherwood Forest. With insight from Towns Guy, we learn that the noble King Richard (Peyton Shivers) is away fighting in the Crusades, leaving his brother, the villainous Prince John (Nick Lawler), to rule in his place. Prince John’s right-hand man, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Joey Wilson), struggles to catch the elusive Robin Hood and stop his mission to aid the oppressed.
After an attempted robbery of a royal carriage, Robin meets the lovely Lady Marian (Ella Winters), who is unknowingly promised to the Sheriff. When Robin learns of this unwanted engagement, he devises a plan to save her. During their exchange, we quickly see that Marian isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even when it doesn’t benefit her. Her closest adviser, the Lady in Waiting (Bella Keller), offers a brutally honest and comedic perspective as the two navigate a series of awkward situations.
Robin Hood’s band of outlaws, the Merry Men (Lillian Britton, Nevada Marshall, Kenleigh VanWinkle, Jackie Quenneville, Zeke Henderson, Mikinzie Collins, Tessa Fall, Willow Kratz, and Olivia Potter), along with the dynamic duo Will (Natalie Hotaling) and Allan (Evelyn Hotaling), work together to support Robin and help bring about a happy ending for the pair.
When the Sheriff learns of Robin’s plan to disrupt the wedding, he convinces Prince John to hold an archery contest to determine who will win Lady Marian’s hand. However, knowing Robin’s exceptional skill with a bow, they quickly change the competition to bowling—a talent Robin has yet to master.
At the castle, we are introduced to the fawning ladies (Kayleigh Harrington, Abigail Miller, Drewe Griffin, Natalya Farr, Drew Collins, Isabelle Fuller, Dahlilah Van Slyke, Madisyn Fuller, Lorna Buckus, and Emma Kratz), unofficial court cheerleaders and devoted admirers of Prince John. Alongside them are the guards (Kevin Thomas, Adam Orsino, Tres Fuentes, Brayden Bartley, Justin Melnick, Nick Kelly, Eli Traunter, and Hunter Schmalz), who stubbornly protect the castle from any unwelcome guests, rounding out the royal court.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated production team works hard to bring this show to life. Student Directors Natalie Hotaling and Astro Johnson lead the production, with Assistant Directors Gage Grinnell and Kayleigh Harrington, who also choreographs the fawning ladies. Producer Assistants Evelyn Hotaling and Natalya Farr help coordinate the effort.
The backstage crew, led by Stage Manager Mikinzie Collins, includes Abigail Miller, Emily Fox, Kierston Hall, Kinley Snyder, Kaitlyn Negron, Emily Vanderworken, and Gabrielle Lebron. The costume crew—featuring Drewe Griffin, Astro Johnson, Nick Lawler, Abigail Miller, Emily Fox, Kiersten Hall, Kinley Snyder, Kaitlyn Negron, Nevada Marshall, Brayden Bartley, and Kayla Kirk—is led by Costume Mistresses Tessa Fall and Reagan Arnold. Don Van Slyke has also played a significant role in helping create the show’s outstanding costumes. Additional costume crew members include Kayleigh Harrington, Olivia Potter, Drewe Griffin, Astro Johnson, Emily Fox, Gabrielle Lebron, Kinley Snyder, Isabelle Fuller, and Willow Kratz.
The tech crew includes Ella Winters, Bella Keller, Jude Posello, Karl Hood, Molly Campbell, Ashlynn Brockway, Mathew Johnson, and Anzleigh Johnson. The media and advertising team is led by Advertising Director Evelyn Hotaling, with assistance from Lucas VanAllen and Gavin Hughes.
Mark your calendars and get ready to laugh at Camden High School’s production of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood!
Showtimes:
May 8th @ 7pm
May 9th @ 6pm
Location: Camden High School Auditorium
Admission: Free!
