Becoming Robin Hood
Book by Laura Marlin
Music & Lyrics by Phil Gorman
Synopsis
In this hilarious musical origin story for all ages, the citizens of Nottingham are hopeless…until a few unlikely characters take on the identity of a heroic outlaw who tries to redistribute the wealthy’s riches. But is it right to steal? Sherwood Forest brings mystery and intrigue as accidents beget legends, friendships get tangled, and personal dreams grow to reality.
Photos
A Message from the Creators
Musical Numbers
“Prologue: Old Stories” — All, Aunt Ivy, Phoebe, Wren, Cooper, Uncle, Sheriff, Little John, Friar Tuck, Pennyroyal, Smudgestick,
“What is the Point to Nottingham–Nottingham Blues” — All, Friar Tuck, Little John, Cooper
“Maid Marian Festival” — Wren, Phoebe
“Leap Before You Look” — Wren, Aunt Ivy, Uncle, Phoebe
“What Would It Take to Be a Hero” — Cooper, All (Backup Vocals)
“Welcome to Tyranny” — Sheriff, Pennyroyal, Smudgestick
“Money” — Guy, Madame, Moxy, Mugwort
“Robber in a Hood” — Moxy, Mugwort, Bramble, Peewee, Ensemble
“Follow Me” — Wren, Ensemble
“Merry Men” — Little John, Cooper, Friar Tuck, Moxy, Mugwort, Bramble, Wren, Ensemble
“Welcome to Tyranny Part 2” — Sheriff, Guy, Madame, Smudgestick, Pennyroyal, Ensemble
“Zing” — Cooper, Smudgestick, Pennyroyal, Friar Tuck, Moxy, Mugwort, Bramble, Ensemble
“Triangle’s Plight” — Wren, Cooper, Phoebe
“Is It Right to Steal” — Friar Tuck, Merry Men
“A Different Kind” — Phoebe
“You Are Enough” — Aunt Ivy, Uncle, Wren
“Together We Can Be a Hero” — Wren, Cooper, Phoebe, Aunt Ivy, Uncle
“Epilogue: New Stories” — Phoebe, Aunt Ivy, Uncle, Smudgestick, Peewee, Little John, Friar Tuck, Wren, Cooper, Ensemble
Characters
Cooper
Cooper is a young man who longs to make a name for himself and dreams of saving the day, he wants skill and adventure, but he can’t find anything he’s good at. Until a lucky bullseye (or was it skill?), and a misunderstanding with Guy, he becomes the legendary Robin Hood. Cooper will learn how empty false stories and nicknames are, and what it means to be a true hero.
Vocal range:
“Nottingham Blues” A3-C5
“Together We Can Be A Hero” Ab3-Bb4
“Triangle’s Plight” Bb3-E5
“What Would It Take To Be A Hero” G3-C5 / optional G5-Bb5
“Zing” C4-E5
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Wren
Wren sees the misery and injustice around her and energetically believes that she can lead people to a better life. She means so well, but she is blinded by her own good intentions. At the start, she will do anything to get people to listen to her, but she will learn that she doesn’t need to lie to get attention; that who she is is enough. Sings: I Am Follow Me; Triangle Song; Together We Can Be A Hero.
Vocal range:
“Leap Before You Look” G3-A4
“Maid Marian Festival” A3-F5
“Together We Can Be A Hero” Ab3-Bb4
“Triangle’s Plight” C4-F5
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Phoebe
Phoebe and Wren are best friends, their friendship based on a shared vision, energy, and belief that they can make things better. Phoebe does not want to be center stage, she wants to get things done. She loves Wren for Wren’s big beautiful ideas, and she loves to roll up her sleeves and get to work. Phoebe will learn that even if she’s not out front, she still has power, and that there’s more than one way to be a leader.
Vocal range:
“Maid Marian Festival” A3-D5
“Together We Can Be A Hero” Ab3-Bb4
“Triangle’s Plight” Bb3-C5
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Sheriff
A petty tyrant: angry, childish, selfish, insecure, seeking power through other people’s misery. He relies on the people who work for him, and exercises his authority capriciously–he giveth and he taketh away. He is big and funny, condescending, cruel.
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Little John
Little John longs for “back in the day” when he was young and strong and ruled Nottingham. He is stoked for this new adventure: Living in Sherwood and stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. The Merry Men is his idea!
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Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck is a little morally ambiguous. It’s not unlike him to procure food that doesn’t actually belong to him, but always to serve a higher cause. He’s all for the redistribution of wealth to right the wrongs of society, but he likes to fly under the radar, and isn’t so comfortable with the showiness of the Robin Hood legend.
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PennyRoyal – Guard One
Pennyroyal is proud of his authority as Guard One, the glory of his position evidenced in his beautiful helmet, which is just that much grander than those of the other guards. He has an uncanny way of figuring out what his boss (the Sheriff) needs, but his pompousness, jealousy, and fear of the Sheriff trip him up every time. Sings duets in Old Stories; Tyranny, Zing
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Smudgestick – Guard Two
Smudgestick has his eye on the role of Guard One, and, although he’s the smarter of the two, he only briefly gets to touch the prize. He understands Phoebe though, and ultimately is moved by what she has to say and what she stands for, breaking out of his role and establishing his independence. Sings duets in Old Stories; Tyranny, Zing
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Guy de la Pauvre (pronounced “ghee”)
Guy is the first rich guy who is robbed by Cooper, the genesis of the Robin Hood legend. Guy loves money, and he believes that money is power, and he loves power. He will ultimately be swayed by Wren, and learn that ART IS POWER! Guy can be bundled with another role (probably either PeeWee, or Bramble).
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Madame de la Pauvre
Also “Robin Hood’s” first victim, lamenting the loss of her pearls. When Guy is at a loss for words, she almost always knows what to say. Madame can be bundled with another role (probably either PeeWee or Bramble).
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Aunt Ivy
Aunt Ivy is Wren’s loving aunt. She is very supportive, but she’s old enough to remember better days in Nottingham, and she knows those days are long gone. She worries. Aunt Ivy gets seized by guards, and carried away. Later, in Act II, when Wren is at her lowest point, Aunt Ivy is there to put her back on her feet with the tenderest song in the show: You Are Enough, so that Wren can go forth and shine.
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Uncle
Uncle is Wren’s grumpy uncle. He’s keenly aware that the Sheriff is dangerous, and that Nottingham is hopeless. He resists getting on board with Wren and her ideas, warns and warns, feels justified when things go down hill. He does have a good heart though, and helps Wren find her way at her lowest point. Ultimately, he catches on and starts to feel the excitement.
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PeeWee
PeeWee is Wren and Phoebe’s one and only follower. They are excited to see him, until they slowly start to realize that, despite his enthusiasm, he always has an excuse not to do something. He’s pretty cute, though. PeeWee can be bundled probably with either Guy or Madame (a quick change).
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Bramble
Bramble hears the first version of the robber in a hood story and immediately starts to embellish it. He adores Robin Hood, but he doesn’t ever realize that he is actually the one who made him up. Sings Robber in a Hood. Bramble can be bundled probably with either Guy or Madame (a quick change).
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Mugwort & Moxy
Mugwort and Moxy are the first recipients of Robin Hood’s robbery. They gleefully spread the story, which grows with each re-telling; they are the root of the legend of Robin Hood. They are only too happy to leave servitude and join up with the Merry Men. Mugwort and Moxy can be bundled (with a quick change) with Aunt and Uncle.
