Swashbuckling ‘The Heart of Robin Hood’ at GLT Shakes Up a Classic Tale

Odds are that you’re familiar with Robin Hood, the dashing hero of film and folklore. Joined by his band of Merry Men, this loveable outlaw of Sherwood Forest steals from everyone and…keeps it all for himself.

That last part probably doesn’t match what you’ve come to expect from the fictional character of English legend, but “The Heart of Robin Hood” is a new version of a classic tale, one that’s told with humor, knack and zeal by the cast and creatives of Great Lakes Theater.

Nottingham is at war and Prince John is demanding yet another tax from his citizens. Poverty is no excuse for refusing to pay up, and the prince will cut down anyone who refuses to open their coffers for the war effort. In addition to wealth, Prince John has his eyes on acquiring another prize: Maid Marion, a lady whose beauty precedes her. Marion is as disgusted by the prospect of marrying the prince as she is of his actions, so with her servant in tow, she ventures out to the forest, hoping to find refuge with the famous Robin Hood. To Marion’s dismay, Robin and his Merry Men are not inclined to let a woman into their camp or share their wealth. Marion decides to take matters into her own hands, becoming the hero she hoped to find in Robin Hood and possibly changing his heart along the way.

Playwright David Farr’s “The Heart of Robin Hood” was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered in 2011. With familiar character archetypes and a plot that employs common tropes utilized in the Bard’s comedies, there’s little question as to the Shakespearean influence of the piece. Fortunately, Great Lakes Theater has mastered the rhythm of the Shakespearean comedy and the experienced cast is in capable hands with director Jaclyn Miller.

“The Heart of Robin Hood” features the characters you know and love–plus a few that you don’t know but will soon come to love.

Despite the title of the show, Maid Marion is the true star of Sherwood. Played with fervor and fierceness by Ángela Utrera, Marion is a force with which to be reckoned. Utrera’s Marion never loses focus on her goals or wavers from her principles, even if that means donning an alter ego. Her can-do attitude is sure to enchant.

Acting primarily as the love interest is Robin Hood, played by Evan Stevens. Robin experiences some of the greatest character development throughout the show as Marion introduces him to the value of protecting and providing for others. As the recognizable hero-figure, Stevens has a swashbuckling, roguish charm.

Nick Steen makes for a wicked villain. His Prince John is disturbingly cold and quick to express his proclivity for violence in the face of even the merest resistance. Steen plays the prince with wit, cunning and cruelty, crafting a rather foreboding figure. Jeffrey C. Hawkins, who plays the prince’s enforcer, Guy of Gisborne, is also a menacing, fearsome cut-throat. Audiences should take heed that Great Lakes recommends the show for audiences aged “10 and up, due to time period-specific violence.”

Farrs’ script is packed full of witty humor, but the laugh-out-loud moments–including a couple of fantastic gags–tend to skew toward the latter half of the show. It’s an admittedly slow start, but the dominoes must be set up before they can properly fall.

Responsible for the heartiest of laughs is Joe Wegner as Marion’s servant/fool, Pierre. Wegner’s physical and vocal performance delights as his reluctant character is dragged from his creature comforts to the forest, where his bravery and threshold to support Marion’s antics are consistently put to the test. Another endearingly funny performance is provided by Kelsey Angel Baehrens as Marion’s lustful, wily sister, Alice.

It should come as no surprise that a large portion of “The Heart of Robin Hood” takes place in the forest where Robin has made his home and forged his legend. Courtney O’Neill’s scenic design, a majority of which is made up of wood planks and features a row of five adolescent trees, is effective for the castle scenes, but falls short of evoking a forest. It’s important to note that this scenic design was planned with versatility in mind, for it will also be used in Great Lakes’ next production of “Macbeth.”

Sloping ramps of wood reminiscent of O’Neill’s set design that was used in last season’s “Peter and the Star Catcher” and “Twelfth Night” allow for interesting sword fight direction. Patrons who attended the aforementioned shows will also see similarities in Rick Martin’s use of splashy, colorful up lighting on the wooden features and on the scrim in the background.

As refreshingly new as the story of “The Heart of Robin Hood” is the musical compositions that were made possible by the theater’s partnership with the Kulas Foundation. Members of the ensemble, dressed in beautiful swashbuckling costumes by Esther M. Haberlen, periodically double as musicians who add sound effects and intriguing bits of music to the narrative.

If you’re seeking an adventurous, spirited romp through Sherwood Forest featuring lovable heroes and formidable foes, Great Lakes Theater’s production of “The Heart of Robin Hood” is sure to satisfy. The fact that it features a modern, refreshing narrative full of humor–well, that might just make this version of Robin Hood one of your favorites.

“The Heart of Robin Hood” runs through Feb. 22, 2026, at the Hanna Theatre, 2067 E 14th St, Cleveland. Visit greatlakestheater.org or call (216) 241-6000 for tickets, $18 – $107.