Basile Westfield Playhouse partners with Open Doors for this youth production
By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com
Main Street Productions (MSP) and Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield, are not only staging a youth production of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, but they are also following Robin’s lead and asking those who have more than enough to give to those who do not.
The Reporter spoke to co-director Becca Bartley about the play itself and about MSP’s partnership with Open Doors of Westfield during the run of this show.
“It is very much a Monty Python-esque version of Robin Hood where you’ve got basically the Prince John as your evil villain, along with the sheriff, and they’re trying to find a way to make the prince become the king,” Bartley told The Reporter. “In the midst of this Robin Hood is finding a way to save the people and save Maiden Marion from being a pawn for the Prince to gain the throne.”
Bartley said she got involved in this show because of her long friendship with her co-director, Nikki Lynch.
“She had previously read the show and fell in love with it,” Bartley said. “She reached out because she knew she needed somebody else to come alongside and co-direct and we’ve actually worked on productions and directing capacities together before, so this is a chance for us to do that again.”
Robin Hood has a cast of 20 with ages ranging from 12 to 19, mostly from Hamilton County. Bartley said the level of experience ranges from first timers, through hobby actors, all the way to young people who look for every opportunity to be in theater.
“Nikki’s done a wonderful job of sitting down and getting things moving,” Bartley said. “We’ve got a great crew, the designers, everybody, they’re very experienced and reliable. So it’s been very helpful to have people that you can depend on to say okay, this is the vision, this is what we need from you. And then the next time we come back, it’s done. That makes it really easy. But generally speaking, community theater is a place where most people who get involved are very committed individuals. So you’re willing to make it work for the greater good. There’s nothing like putting time and effort into something and having a final project.”
In this case, that final project is not only the play itself, but the partnership with local food pantry Open Doors of Westfield.
“Going along with the theme of Robin Hood, always trying to help the poor, we also want to help those in our community who do not have enough,” Bartley said. “So we have a food drive happening during the performance and bring in food items. And there’s a specific list on the website.”
After the show, there will be a photo booth in the lobby available for kids who want to have their picture taken with Robin Hood.
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood stages from July 27 to Aug. 6 at Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield. Go to WestfieldPlayhouse.org or call (317) 402-3341 for tickets.
Give back like Robin Hood would
In the spirit of Robin Hood, food will be collected for Open Doors of Westfield to assist others in need in the community. There is no obligation to donate but patrons are encouraged to bring items for Robin to give to Open Doors and those in need.
Here are the list of items needed:
- Soups: chicken noodle, beef, vegetable
- Canned veggies: mixed vegetables, spinach
- Canned tomato: diced and sauce
- Fruits: mandarin oranges and applesauce
- Canned pasta
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Boxed mac and cheese, pasta
- Breakfast: protein bars, cereal bowls
- Peanut butter and jelly
There will be a donation box in the lobby when you arrive. Thank you for your thoughtful generosity.
For more information about Open Doors of Westfield go to OpenDoorsWestfield.org.