Review: Ken Ludwig's 'Sherwood' at Phoenix Stage Company

With best wishes to actor Michael Cassidy for a speedy recovery

OAKVILLE, CT - Phoenix Stage Company has produced a charming rendition of Ken Ludwig’s SHERWOOD, The Adventures of Robin Hood. The comedy is a high spirited retelling of the legend of Robin Hood and Ed Bassett, a founding member of the PSC, has directed the play with a fine comic touch.

This version of the enduring legend of the “hero of the people” who takes on the ruthless powers that rule the land. It is packed with romance, laughter and thrills enacted by immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck and the lovely Maid Marian, complete with plenty of swordplay under the careful watch of the fight directors Rob Richnavsky and Chris Pytlak.

The multi-talented Mr. Richnavsky (EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, REBEL YELLS, COPS and more) stepped in to take over a role for the injured Michael Cassidy at the very last minute. Nothing about his performance as Little John indicated his late arrival to the cast and in fact, it proved to be a highlight of this production. It was so much fun to see this wonderful actor on the Phoenix stage again.

Rob Grgach commanded the stage as Sir Guy of Gisbourne in his Phoenix Stage Company debut. Dressed in black and with great facial hair, Mr. Grgach made his mark with this role; I hope to see him on more local community theatre stages in the future. Jonathan Ross, who I actually remember as part of the very first production (BLEACHER BUMS) at the Naugatuck location of PSC, was a riot as the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham. Mr. Ross’ credits at PSC are long and impressive and his comic timing was spot on for his embodiment of the sheriff.

James Balarneau was the perfect choice for the role of the handsome Robin Hood in his PSC debut. He gave a roguish charm to the heroic English outlaw that robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.

Tim Phillips returned to the Phoenix Stage, after directing the recent production of FOOLS, to play the iconic Friar Tuck. His character served as the narrator of the story and then easily inserted himself into the action, with the actor displaying his wonderful comic timing and stage presence. Some of Mr. Phillips’ favorite Phoenix Stage roles include Dr. Watson in BASKERVILLE, Kooch in JELLOFISH, Rev. Malachi in REBEL YELLS and Harry Monday in THREE MURDERS & IT’S ONLY MONDAY.

Laura Sturges-Cortez (FOOLS, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MOON OVER BUFFALO) made it look easy to play the lovely Maid Marian, switching wigs and costumes seamlessly. Kristin Moresi (FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, CLIFFHANGER, ALMOST, MAINE in Goshen) effectively captured the spunk in the role of Deorwynn and thanked Mr. Richnavsky for “(hopefully) making sure I don’t actually stab or maim anyone.”

The youngest member of the cast was Hunter Diedrich (ELF, THE WIZARD OF OZ, NEVERLAND CHRISTMAS) in the roles of Young Robin and an adorable page boy in a fabulously feathered cap. Kudos to this young performer on yet another performance credit to add to his bio. At his next performance, I will need to ask him to autograph my program.

Aric Martin (MRS. BOB CRATCHIT'S, MACBETH) tried mightily to steal the show in the glorious role of Prince John and I enjoyed every minute of his time on the stage. Mr. Martin is a joy to watch in any role, and this performance was no exception.

Michael Calabrese (FEMALE TRANSPORT, COVER OF LIFE) played a long list of roles and was very funny as a blind man who repeatedly missed his exit. Killian Meehan (King Richard in his PSC debut) also covered a bunch of supporting roles; Mr. Meehan played Mercutio in ROMEO & JULIET with Naugatuck Teen Theatre. Hannah Kupson (a lovely Young Marion) and Kathryn Lynch (Alize) kept straight a host of minor characters of both genders.

I loved the addition of boxes of Phoenix Stage Company popcorn as a running gag in the action. Lori Poulin was the very busy stage manager and the stealth running crew was Brian Elser and Brianna Mattingly. Ed Bassett worked his magic with the period costumes; my favorites were the ensembles of Maid Marion. Lighting design was by Al Hathway and Mr. Bassett was in charge of the effective sound design.

The ushers warned me that members of the cast would be passing in front of those of us in the purple seats at the side of the theatre, so I dutifully kept my feet and my box of popcorn out of their way. I sometimes felt like I had to duck for the authentic clanging of the large swords so that I wouldn’t miss a moment of swashbuckling fun. I was happy to see the talented Roger Grace at this performance and to get to meet his partner Bruce as we left the theatre.

Don't forget to grab your popcorn at the show!
It's Gluten Free, Kosher, good for you and always FREE and ENDLESS!!

Coming up next at Phoenix Stage Company will be FIREFLIES by Matthew Barber, directed by Agnes M. Dann. The romantic comedy debuted at Long Wharf Theatre in 2017 with Jane Alexander as Eleanor Bannister, Denis Arndt as Abel Brown, Judith Ivey as Grace Bodell and Christopher Michael McFarland as Eugene Claymire, and I am now sorry I wasn’t able to catch one of these performances. The PSC cast will include the wonderful Helen Adams as Eleanor, Ed Bassett as Abel, Jane Coughlin as Grace and Brian Elser as Eugene.

Eleanor Bannister, a retired schoolteacher, lives a sleepy life in tiny Groverdell, Texas. Until one day, when walking alone through the brambles barefoot and in her nightgown, she encounters Abel Brown, a mysterious drifter. Brown has been wandering around town, looking for houses to fix and, rumor has it, single women to talk to. Brown is nothing but a drifter, but despite their obvious differences, Eleanor and Abel find themselves drawn to each other. This beautiful new romance by Matthew Barber, Tony Award-nominated author of Enchanted April, shows that connection can be found in the unlikeliest of places and in the unlikeliest of ways.

Check out the new podcasts on the Phoenix Stage Company website.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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