ROBIN HOOD By Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke Originally Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OPERA THEATRE Nicholas Provenzale, Director FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021, 7:30 PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021, 2:00 PM EMILIE K. ASPLUNDH CONCERT HALL PHILIPS MEMORIAL BUILDING
CAST Robin Hood ................................................................................................................... Won Kim Marion .................................................................................................................Evelyn Stohlman Sheriff ................................................................................................................... Albert Gonzalez Scarlet ................................................................................................................. Sofia Bobrysheva King Richard ...................................................................................................Aaron Hungerford Scout..................................................................................................................... Jessica McNeely Ronnie the Riveter .................................................................................................. Jamie Quinter Jackie the Janitor .................................................................................................Abigail Agulnick Sam the Scribe................................................................................................... Matthew Quarles Jo the Jailor ................................................................................................................ Joseph Galdi
ARTISTIC TEAM Pianist .......................................................................................................................... Micah Leary Percussion............................................................................ Nate Gittelman, Sean McWilliams, Luke Thurston, Matt Langlois (conductor) Choreography................................................................................................................. Won Kim Production Assistants .......................................................................Kiley Aikey and Joe Seifrit
TECHNICAL TEAM Johsua Browns, Philip Haberek, Erica Westcott, Jonathan Davish, Annie Sample, and Nicole Caruso
Special thanks to Chris Hanning, Dean of the Wells School of Music; Emily Bullock, Chair of the Vocal and Keyboard Department; Joshua Browns, Director of Venue Management; Matt Miller, Events Coordinator; Kaysey Davis, Planning and Logistics Manager; Ralph Sorrentino, Chair of the Department of Instrumental Music; Brittany Grason, Associate Director of Music Admission; Thomas Haughey, Department of Theatre and Dance; Robert Rust, Video and Audio Technician
Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices.
SYNOPSIS
by Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke The Sheriff, backed by his deputies, proclaims his dominion over the land, which he sees as a valuable resource to be exploited (“Law and Order”). When he hears rumors of a rebel living in the forest, a man who rejects his laws, he commands his deputies to “find that Hood and drive him out.” Robin Hood sings of his desire to leave the Sheriff’s version of “civilization” behind (“A hummingbird’s life would suit me fine”). Scarlet, a mysterious bird-like creature, appears to Robin and encourages him to step up to head the resistance (“Lead with Love”). One by one, disgruntled citizens appear, singing of the Sheriff’s injustices (“The Sheriff passed a law”). Marion whips up the crowd (“I Say”) and their anger builds, threatening to turn violent. Robin, remembering Scarlet’s message to him, encourages the people to band together to create a new kind of order (“Now Is the Time”). Ronnie and Jackie, two of the Sheriff’s deputies, come upon Robin, alone. In the comical fight sequence that follows, Robin never throws a punch, but the two deputies, by sheer ineptitude, manage to knock each other out. The Merry Band appears (“Home in the Wilderness”). With Robin and Marion, they provide alternatives to the facts the deputies have learned from the Sheriff (“Under Good King Richard”). Moved, the deputies pledge allegiance to the Merry Band, not realizing that Scout, another of the Sheriff’s deputies, is spying nearby. The Sheriff is furious to hear of Ronnie and Jackie’s desertion, and even more furious that Robin continues to evade him. To draw him out, the Sheriff plans an archery contest. Although none of the Sheriff’s crew has seen Robin, the Sheriff is sure he’ll know him on sight. Robin and Marion, coming upon a notice for the contest, each try to convince the other to join (“No, You”). As they sing, their shy admiration for each other becomes apparent. The Sheriff rigs the archery contest, but Robin easily wins and escapes with the bag of gold; only after he has fled does the Sheriff realize he’s been foiled again (“I Curse the Day”). Robin, flush with victory, temporarily loses sight of his goal and must be reminded by Scarlet (“In the Middle of It All”). But before Robin knows what has happened, he is jumped by three deputies; Marion attempts to help, but this time the deputies get the upper hand and tie them up. When the Deputies go to find the Sheriff, Robin and Marion confess what is in their hearts (“Different”). Before the Deputies return, the Merry Band appears and rescues them (“Now Is the Time” reprise) The King returns (“When the King Takes the Crown”) and has a chance encounter with Robin in his beloved woods; each recognizes a kindred spirit, though neither of them realizes who the other is at first. The Sheriff stumbles in and tries to reframe the situation for the King, to no avail. However, encouraged by Robin and the Merry Band, the King forgives the Sheriff, who sees the error of his ways (“Now Is the Time” – reprise).
UPCOMING WELLS SCHOOL OF MUSIC EVENTS For full event details visit wcupa.edu/music or call (610) 436-2739 Sunday, November 14, 2021, 3:00 PM Harp Festival Gloria Galante, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
Sunday, November 14, 2021, 7:00 PM Brass Ensembles Jonathan Fowler, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
Monday, November 15, 2021, 8:00 PM Faculty Recital: Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski & Rob Skoniczin, trumpets Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski & Rob Skoniczin Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 8:15 PM New Music Series Jacob Cooper & Van Stiefel, directors Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 8:15 PM Guitar Ensemble Concert David Cullen, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
Thursday, November 18, 2021, 8:15 PM Vocal Jazz & Latin Jazz Ensembles Concert Marc Jacoby & Ryan Kelly, directors Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 7:30 PM Symphony Orchestra Concert Joseph Caminiti, conductor Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
Sunday, November 21, 2021, 3:00 PM Liberty Youth Wind Symphony Concert Andrew Yozviak, conductor Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center
*Tickets required for this event.
Events at the Wells School of Music are often supported by individual donors and organizations. Contributions to the Wells School of Music may be made out to: WCU Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382 Please include “Wells School of Music Excellence Fund” in the memo line. For further information, please call (610) 436-2868 or visit wcufoundation.org A majority of performances are available to watch via live stream at Facebook.com/WellsSchoolofMusic and Vimeo.com/WSOM Mr. Robert Rust, Audio & Visual Technician Steinway & Sons Piano Technical, Tuning and Concert Preparations by Gerald P. Cousins, RPT If you do not intend to save your program, please recycle it in the baskets at the exit doors.
The Wells School of Music | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean