EUGENE–A lively romp through 12th-century England, embellished with a few 20th-century flourishes, awaits audiences of all ages when "Robin Hood" opens Tuesday, July 10, as the opening show of the 2001 summer season of Mad Duckling Children’s Theatre’s at the University of Oregon.

"Robin Hood" will continue Wednesday through Saturday, July 11—14, and Tuesday through Saturday, July 17—21, outdoors in the amphitheater adjacent to the south side of the Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane. All shows will begin at 11 a.m., with general-admission seating on the lawn available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free short-term parking permits will be available at the theater on performance days, allowing patrons to park in the nearby UO lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street, across from the Robinson Theatre.

The tales of "Robin Hood" have survived through the centuries, celebrating Robin, the eternal underdog who relies on his wits and skills to stand up against the brute strength of political power and corruption. Audiences will delight in the merry outlaw’s ability to outwit the pompous Sheriff of Nottingham, win the famous archery contest and fall in love with Maid Marian.

In this Mad Duckling Summer Theatre production, director Jon Cole, a theater arts doctoral degree student from Springfield, has embraced and heightened playwright Cathryn Pisarski’s version of the popular tale.

"This is a wacky, fun treatment of the Robin Hood legend, a compelling combination of silly comedy and swashbuckling," says Cole. "Swords, quarterstaffs, crazy comic fight choreography and more bits per square inch than you have ever seen before join with medieval superhero costumes and men in tights!"

The humorous characters, fast-moving plot and famous story make "Robin Hood" an enjoyable theatrical adventure combining action and comedy in a fun, entertaining way for audiences of all ages. Adults will chuckle at the puns and word play, while kids will roar at the large physical gags and stunts.

Actors play multiple characters with quick costume changes to accompany the constantly changing locale, which shifts from Sherwood Forrest to King John’s castle to the jail to the archery tournament. The audience is taken on a medieval roller coaster of fast-paced fun.

The acting company for "Robin Hood" is made up of Jana Schmieding, a sophomore theater arts and sociology major, and Kirsten Schmieding, a senior theater arts and psychology major, both from Canby; Tyler Holden, a senior theater arts major from Eugene; Curtis Williams, a senior theater arts major from Gresham; Windy Borman, a senior theater arts and journalism major from McMinnville; Sam Super, a senior theater arts major from Oregon City; and Tasha Cyr, a senior theater arts major from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Production staff includes stage manager Amy O’Brien and scenic and props designer Jeff Hawthorne, both senior theater arts majors from Eugene; assistant director and choreographer Jocelyn Fultz, a senior theater arts major from Monmouth; technical director Elizabeth Helman, a theater arts master’s degree student from Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and costume designer Rowan Morrison, a senior theater arts major from Philadelphia, Pa.

Tickets for all seats at all performances are $4 each, or $3.50 for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets, visit the theater on performance days or, to reserve them in advance, call the Mad Duckling Box Office at (541) 346-4192.

Mad Duckling Summer Theatre is made possible through the support of the UO Summer Session office.

For more information, browse <http://play.at/duckling> or call the Mad Duckling Box Office at 346-4192. A taped message about Mad Duckling’s summer theater productions also is available 24 hours a day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2287.

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