Westfield’s Youth Play is Classic Robin Hood Story With Some Fun Twists
By: Betsy Reason
If you wonder why Owen Yeater as Robin Hood and Quinn Yeater as Sheriff of Nottingham are in disguise and have bowling shoes and a bowling ball in their hands, then make reservations for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” a comedy that runs through Aug. 6.
Cast members from Basile Westfield Playhouse’s summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” — Isabella Hasseld (from left), Nora Gapinski-Coon, Sammy Geis, Kaavya Jethava, Kaelyn Harvey, Owen Lockert, Zack Harvey (from back left), Neil Hackman and Meile Alpizar — rehearse for the show, which runs through Aug. 6.
Neil Hackman as Byron of Bellowsbank, Kaavya Jethava as Allan and Nora Gapinski-Coon as Mary rehearse for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” which runs through Aug. 6.
Ella Crites as Lady in Waiting and Sophia Musick as Fawning Lady rehearse for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” which runs through Aug. 6.
Owen Yeater as Robin Hood and Rachel Bush as Lady Marian rehearse for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” which runs through Aug. 6.
Harrison Coon as Prince John and Quinn Yeater as The Sheriff of Nottingham rehearse for Basile Westfield Playhouse summer youth production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” which runs through Aug. 6.
We know the storyline. Robin Hood robs from the rich and gives to the poor.
But I bet most don’t know Robin Hood’s story with twists.
“I chose this show because I love a good comedy, and this particular show allows for a lot of creative licenses,” said Nikki Lynch, co-director of Main Street Productions’ summer youth production. “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” features a cast of 20 youth, ages 12-19, and is on stage now through Aug. 6 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. Tickets are still available.
The show, Lynch said, “brings in modern elements not only in the storytelling itself but in props, sound and costumes.”
She said, “The mix of a classic story with modern elements makes it interesting and fun to watch.”
Folks of all ages will find this show hilarious, Lynch said.
The cast features junior and senior high school-age members. The show’s stage manager and sound and light board operator are also youth. The cast and crew hail from in and around Westfield, plus a few cast members are from Carmel, Noblesville, Cicero and Indianapolis.
Lynch said she’s “had a blast” working with the youth.
“On the night of the read-through, Becca and I made it very clear that the most important part about working on a show is respect … respect for each other as actors, respect for Becca and I and any other adults they come into contact with while working on the show … The cast has taken this to heart and rarely have we had to have conversations with anyone regarding behavior,” Lynch said.
“The youth cast stayed focused on the task at hand and have been an absolute joy to work with. I think it helps that we have encouraged fun as well,” she said. “We encourage our casts to be creative and brave on stage when making acting choices. If they have ideas regarding props or acting choices, Becca and I listen and have, oftentimes, incorporated those ideas in the show. We respected our cast’s thoughts and ideas.”
Also, during the rehearsal period, they had two workshops, fight choreography and stage makeup, where the cast “could learn more about theater than just how to act.”
Costume designer Linda Grow “has once again worked her magic,” in creating time-period appropriate costumes with a twist. Grow has been making costumes since she was 14 and has made the costumes for Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park for several years.
“She went with my vision and created costumes that are gorgeous to look at and that the cast love to wear,” Lynch said.
The set is simple due to needing to switch between Sherwood Forest and a castle quickly and fluidly. “I did not want a backstage crew to move the set pieces, so the cast is responsible for all set changes. It has been a challenge choreographing set changes, but the cast has stepped up and it looks great,” she said.
Sound and lights designer Brian Coon directed this show in the past, so Lynch gave him freedom to work his creative magic on sound and lighting effects.
It’s the first time Lynch has worked on a show since the Playhouse moved to the new location on Union Street. She’s acted in Westfield plays, “Picnic” and “Lie, Cheat and Genuflect.”
This isn’t Lynch’s first time in the director’s chair. She directed Carmel Community Players’ “Fools” with Bartley as her assistant director, and she also assistant directed “Mary Poppins” at Grace Church and most recently assistant directed “The Great Gatsby” with The Belfry.
Lynch was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Noblesville in 2008. She performed in her first show, “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” with Christian Youth Theater in 2012. She got involved with theater because her kids were involved, and she loved spending time with them.
In the spirit of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, Basile Westfield Playhouse is having a food drive during all performances, collecting non-perishable donation items for Open Doors of Westfield food pantry (see breakout info) to assist others in need in the community.
Want TO GO?
What: Main Street Productions Inc. presents its annual summer youth production, “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” featuring a cast of 20 youth, ages 12-19.
When: July 27-Aug. 6, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Where: Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield.
How much: $17 for adults, $15 for students with ID and ages 62 and older, and free for active military and veterans with ID.
How to buy tickets: www.westfieldplayhouse.org
Where to call for tickets or information: 317-402-3341.
Good to know: Donation items will be accepted for Open Doors of Westfield food pantry (see breakout within this article).
Want MORE?
In the spirit of Robin Hood, Basile Westfield Playhouse is collecting nonperishable donation items for Open Doors of Westfield food pantry to assist others in need in our community. There is no obligation to donate but the playhouse is encouraging patrons to bring items for Robin Hood to give to Open Doors and those in need. Items needed include: chicken noodle, beef and vegetable soups; canned mixed vegetables and spinach, canned diced tomatoes and sauce, canned pasta, canned tuna and chicken, boxed mac-and-cheese, pasta, protein bars, cereal bowls, and peanut butter, and jelly.
-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Reach The Times Editor Betsy Reason at [email protected]. The weekly Things to Do list of happenings in our area will be published in Saturday’s edition of The Times. Also, in Thursday’s edition of The Times, read about The Belfry Theatre Apprentice Players summer youth production, which is this weekend in The Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville.
MEET THE CAST
Robin Hood, Owen Yeater, Cicero; Lady Marian, Rachel Bush, Indianapolis; Prince John, Harrison Coon, Westfield; Sheriff of Nottingham, Quinn Yeater, Cicero; Town’s Guy, Teddy Epstein, Westfield; Lady in Waiting, Ella Crites, Westfield; Sister Tuck, Kaelyn Harvey, Noblesville; Will Scarlet, Maile Alpizar, Westfield; Little John, Zack Harvey, Noblesville; Allan Adale, Kaavya Jethava, Carmel; Byron of Bellowsbank, Neil Hackman, Carmel; Lady Laughalot, Anna Pfieffer, Westfield; Mary, Nora Gapinski Coon, Westfield; Lionel, Owen Lockert, Noblesville; Donna, Isabella Hasseld, Westfield; Debbie, Sammy Geis, Westfield; Fawning Lady 1, Chaya Elicker, Westfield; Fawning Lady 2, Annalisa Schuth, Westfield; Fawning Lady 3, Tatum Meadors, Westfield; Fawning Lady 4, Sophia Musick, Westfield; Guard 1, Anna Pfeiffer, Westfield; Guard 2, Neil Hackman, Carmel; Rich Man, Nora Gapinski Coon, Westfield; and Lady with Baby, Owen Lockert, Noblesville.
MEET THE CREW
Co-directors, Nikki Lynch and Becca Bartley; Producer, Thom Johnson; Stage Manager, Mason Yeater; Set Builder, Brock Francis; Costumes, Linda Grow; Props, Heidi Moranski; Light Design and Sound Design, Brian Coon; Light Board Operator, Megan Mramor; Sound Operator, Camille Sparks; Fight Choreographer, KC Robertson; Makeup/Hair Design, Tessa Gibbons; Set Design, Nikki Lynch; and Set Decorations and Art, Rachel Bush.