Arden Children's Theatre Presents ROBIN HOOD, Opening 4/25

Arden Theatre Company will present Robin Hood by Greg Banks as the second selection of its 2011/12 Children's Series. Arden Associate Producer Matthew Decker directs the play recommended for families with children ages 5 and older. Robin Hood will begin performances on the Arcadia Stage on April 25 and has already been extended by popular demand through June 24, 2012

Audiences are invited to enter Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood, the legendary hero. Wielding a bow and arrow, Robin and his merry men join forces to stand up for what's right. This athletic and modern take on the fabled story features trickery, disguises, swordfights, live music and plenty of help from the audience.  

At the helm of this production is Matthew Decker, winner of the 2011 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical for The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Horizon, where he is co-founder and resident director.  "I couldn't be more excited to take this well-known story of Robin Hood and turn it into an interactive, physical, playful production on the Arden's stage," says Decker, who makes his Arden directing debut with this production. 

 

The Arden's Robin Hood conjures a playground-like atmosphere, with a set of recycled materials, contemporary costumes with traditional accents, and musical instruments incorporated into the playing space.  In this world, found objects turn into bows and arrows, as well as transform actors into multiple characters. The team creating this playful and surprising world includes scenic designer  Tom Gleeson (Peter Pan, The Threepenny Opera), costume designer Rosemarie E. McKelvey (Charlotte's Web;  Barrymore Award winner for Something Intangible andCaroline, or Change), lighting designer Justin Townsend (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson on Broadway, The Arden's Sunday in the Park with George and Caroline, or Change), sound designer and composer Daniel Perelstein (Shipwrecked at People's Light, Romeo and Juliet at the Lantern), and choreographer Jenn Rose (The Flea and the Professor). 

The ensemble cast of five includes four actors returning to the Arden's stage:   Sean Lally as troubled and heroic Robin Hood (Romeo and Juliet, A Moon for the Misbegotten), Ian Merrill Peakes as the villainous Sherriff of Nottingham (Clybourne Park, Barrymore Award for Something Intangible), Steve Pacek as the intellectual Will Scarlet, the sniveling Prince John, and the oversized Friar Tuck (Clybourne Park, The Borrowers, Barrymore nomination for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), and Charlotte Ford as brave, sword-wielding Maid Marian (Franklin's Apprentice). Carl Clemons-Hopkins (25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Horizon, Rent at 11^th Hour Theatre Co) makes his Arden debut as outlaw Little John. 

The Arden dedicates the same resources to theatre productions for families as their mainstage work, especially by hiring the same designers and actors.  Arden Children's Theatre was recently awarded two Barrymore Awards for the 2011 production of The Flea and the Professor,including Outstanding Production of a Musical. This season's production of Charlotte's Web became the highest attended show in the company's history, bringing over 34,000 audience members into the theatre.

Following every performance of Robin Hood, children participate in a post-show question and answer session with the cast, and afterwards have an opportunity to meet the actors in the lobby. All children also receive a free commemorative show poster to take home. Weekday performances are held at 10am to accommodate thousands of schoolchildren. Over 2,500 students will attend the production free of charge through the Arden for All program, which also provides books, transportation and in-school lessons from professional teaching artists to communities with little or no arts access.

Robin Hood begins performances on Wednesday, April 25, with previews through April 28. Opening night is set for 7pm Saturday, April 28, 2012. Closing is set for Sunday, June 24. The 2011/12 season of Arden Children's Theatre is proudly sponsored by Comcast /Sprout. 

Single ticket prices are $16-$32, with discounted ticket prices for kids and teens. Groups of 20+ enjoy significant discounts, with additional resources and classes available for teachers; please inquire for rates. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, order online atwww.ardentheatre.org / www.robinphilly.com or visit the box office at 40 N. 2^nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia. 

The Arden also announced the Target 2 for 1 Family Series, a ticket discount program generously sponsored by Target. This program offers two tickets for the price of one during selected performances of Robin Hood. Please refer to the show calendars at www.ardentheatre.orgfor the designated performances. There is a limit of four discounted orders (8 tickets) per transaction, available while supplies last. When ordering online or by phone, reference code TARGET.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122. ASL interpretation is available at select performances. The Arden works with Hands UP Productions to present shadow-signed performances, where interpreters are part of the action. These performances will be held on Friday, May 18 at 10am and Saturday, June 9 at 4pm.