Sacred Heart School’s Junior Tower Players may not know it, but they have a big fan waiting to see their latest work.
On March 26 and 27, the students will perform “Robin & the Sherwood Hoodies,” a humorous take on the Robin Hood story.
The show’s writer, Craig Hawes, lives in England near Sherwood Forest, and his works have been used by Sacred Heart for the past five years.
“We buy the royalties from him,” said co-producer Liz Cullinane. “Last year, we sent him a DVD of (the school’s production of) ‘Porridge,’ so he could see what we were doing. He wants to see it again, so we’ll send him another one this year.”
Taking the stage as King John is eighth-grader Ford Baker of Winnetka, who found his first role as a villain to be an exciting challenge.
“I didn’t know I wanted this role, but as the play went on I realized there is no other role I would rather have,” Baker said. “You have to put on a new personality. I’m less nervous now, and it’s become more of an excitement.”
Sixth-grader Jack Craddock of Glencoe has the role of Much Muscles, a member of Robin Hood’s merry men.
“He’s a dumb Neanderthal who’s the strong man of Robin’s group,” Craddock said. “His vocabulary is really limited. You have to talk in a deep voice and act like Arnold Schwarzenegger and do poses.”
Seventh-grader Sarah Cullinane of Glencoe serves as one of the show’s two narrators, and says this updated tale of Robin Hood will appeal to any audience.
“This was a part I wanted,” Cullinane said. “I’m a narrator with my really good friend Amanda Zachar, and we love doing the play. People know the story of Robin Hood, but this is different. They start out as a group of entertainers, and it’s one of our best plays ever.”
The cast and crew of 65 have been rehearsing since December, with tech rehearsals beginning this month. The show is nearly 100 percent student-run, and cast members and crew have enjoyed working together with an eye toward opening night.
“It’s been good,” said eighth-grader Xavier Schario of Winnetka, who serves on the stage crew. “We move sets around, or make and fix props. It’s pretty hard to keep the cast from playing with all the stuff.”
Performances of “Robin & the Sherwood Hoodies” take place at 7 p.m. March 26 and 27 at Sacred Heart School, 1095 Gage St. in Winnetka. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each for kids and $15 each for adults.
Twitter: @steveschering
