Comedic Robin Hood opens Thursday at PJC

Published or Revised October 02, 2017

Robin Hood finds it hard to be humble as a swashbuckling, egocentric super-hero. But the gallant guy-in-green tries his best as he swaggers through “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” the first production of the fall semester from the Paris Junior College drama department. “This is a frantically funny, Monty Pythonesque retelling of the classic,” said play director and PJC drama instructor Robyn Huizinga. In PJC’s production the legendary legend, in his never-ending quest to aid the needy, encounters a lovely damsel-in-distress (oddly obsessed with skin conditions); an ever-scheming sheriff who would rather bowl a strike than hit a bull’s-eye; a gold-hoarding, bad-guy monarch wannabe; and a good-natured “Town’s Guy” who manages to make his way into every scene, whether he belongs there or not. They combine with an expandable band of spoon-wielding Merry Men whose collective IQs equal six, producing an irreverent and unforgettable jaunt through Sherwood Forest. The show will run Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $12.00 and $10.00 for high school students with ID and senior citizens; and free for those with current PJC ID. Contact 903-782-0488 or pjcdrama@parisjc.edu for tickets or further information. The cast of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” includes: Robin Hood: Ethan Brown; Lady Marian: Mallory Baccus; Prince John: Mark Byrd; Sheriff of Nottingham: Jona Simmons; Town’s Guy: Chaston Tomlin; Lady in Waiting: Mandy Hale*; Friar Tuck: Adrian Hobbs; Will Scarlet: Antavius Draughn; Little John: Alex Greer; Allan Adale: Jonathan Robinson**; Fawning Ladies: Cyan Burkhart, Gisselle Benitez, Annabel Doss*, Diana Godsell, Bailey Magnusson, and Justin Gallant**; Guards: Stephen Bailey, Carlton Bell; Rich Man: Sydnie Dockery*; Poor Lady with a Baby: Kathy Farris*; Byron: Raden Phillips; Lady Laughalot: Brenna Mills*; Mary: Deja Sikes; Lionel: Randy Cornelius*; Donald: Sam Isaac Farris*; Debbie: Candace Weist**; Featured Archer: Tayler Kruse*; Merry Men, Townsfolk, Ensemble: AnnaJae Wood*, Aeryn Mast*, Ella Doss*, Dreikus Green. The Stage Manager is Will Walker and Assistant Stage Manager and Tech Crew Lead is Gary Dodd. * Community member - most under 16 years of age; ** community member & former PJC student.