“MARIAN or the True Tale of Robinhood” is coming to RIC’s mainstage

Olivia Barone

Editor-in-Chief

“A gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on a classic tale” is how critics describe “MARIAN or the True Tale of Robinhood:” the newest play to hit Rhode Island College’s Helen Forman Theater this Oct. 1 through Oct. 5. 

@rictheatre on Instagram

A twist on the classic tale of Robinhood, this portrayal claims to reveal the real identity of the famously benevolent thief. Instead, Robinhood is actually Lady Marian in disguise and only a few of the merry men she leads are men themselves. In this swapped version of the age-old story, it is Robinhood’s original love interest who swindles and has fair ladies swooning during her quest to defeat the greedy Prince John. 

Based on the book of the same name by Adam Szymkowicz, the play has since grown in popularity on stage. It premiered in New York City in April 2017 with director Kelly O’Donnell at the helm of the Flux Theater Ensemble, who set a high bar for other productions seeking to put it on themselves. Do you think RIC’s Theater Department is up for the challenge? 

We certainly do. After the department’s successful run of “Antigone” last semester, audiences can rest assured that the students behind RIC’s creative theater productions are both dedicated and talented. Made up of a collection of students learning theater on campus, they are now at work preparing to dazzle you live on stage with the help of local director Gia Yarn. 

Yarn has been active in the Providence theater scene since graduating from Dean College with a BA in Art and Entertainment Management and a concentration in Theater. She is plenty experienced as her career thus far at the Trinity Repertory Company as its Casting Director and Artistic Producer has allowed her to build skills in both casting and producing. 

@rictheatre on Instagram

Indulge in live theater this Fall Rhode Island College’s rendition of “MARIAN or the True Tale of Robinhood.” Tickets can be purchased on RIC’s Box Office website or over the phone at (401)456-8145. Show times are as follows: 

• Oct. 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theater. 

• Oct. 4-5 at 1:00 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theater. 

An additional show, free to local schools, will take place on Oct. 3 at 10:00 a.m. Reservations to attend must be made in advance by contacting tsantoro@ric.edu. 

For additional information, updates and to meet the cast of “MARIAN or the True Tale of Robinhood,” follow @rictheatre on Instagram.