Community Homeschoolers to stage play

"It's fun and it's funny," said principle actor Derek Hedlund when describing "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood," which will be presented by the Community Homeschool Players at Conestoga Mennonite Church, 2779 Main St. (Route 23), Morgantown. Show dates and times are Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

Directing this year's play is 2020 Community Homeschool graduate Seerena Petersen. Seerena was a cast member in the 2019 production of "Gladys in Wonderland," and Seerena played the title role in the homeschoolers' version of "Cinderella" in 2018.

"I was searching for a play that could handle a small cast and is a fun fairy tale," said Seerena, when describing how she chose the play as this year's production. "It's really geared toward kids, and it's very comical. It interacts with the audience a lot and it's funny. There are many jokes in there that will make the audience laugh and many silly actions by the cast."

The play, based on the book by Mary Lynn Dobson, is a comedic take on the classic tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in Sherwood Forest. They battle the evil Prince John and his henchman, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and meet Robin's true love, Lady Marian.

Seerena noted that the play breaks "the fourth wall," which is an imaginary barrier that separates the actors from the audience. "With acting you are in a box with three walls, and the fourth wall divides the audience with the cast," she explained. "When you break the fourth wall, the audience is interacting with the cast."

For example, she noted, cast members come into the audience for several scenes and, at times, they talk directly to the audience.

The play is suitable for people of all ages and the community is welcome to attend. "We want anybody who thinks they would enjoy it to come see it," Seerena said. "We want as many people as possible."

In addition to Derek in the title role as Robin Hood, other cast members include Ethan Juhl as Friar Tuck, Jivien Horrocks as the lady-in-waiting, Veronique Riviello as the sheriff, Dylan Frolich as Prince John, Rachel Stewart as Will Scarlett, Meredith Stratton as Alan Adale, Maura Taylor as Lady Marian, Riley Driscoll as Little John and Alyssa McCaffrey as Town's Guy. The crew includes Eliot Hedlund, Becky Stauffer, John Dymond and Jane Weis. The assistant director is Carisa Petersen.

In addition to the show, attendees will have an opportunity to win gift baskets, including one provided by Twin Valley Coffee.

Established in 1995, the Community Homeschoolers Learning Group provides shared classes and activities for local homeschoolers from kindergarten to high school. For more information, email communityhomeschoolers@gmail.com or visit http://www.communityhomeschoolers.org.