Poly Prep’s middle school in Dyker Heights is putting on a play – “Robin Hood” – but the plot may be a little different than you remember from your childhood.
You’ll no doubt recall the classic tale of the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forest, who (along with his Merry Men) fights for the poor against the Sheriff of Nottingham.
In American playwright Don Nigro’s version, however, Prince John wants to cut down Sherwood Forest and replace it with a munitions factory, slaughterhouse and tennis court for the rich.
That aside, all the elements that make Robin Hood such a favorite are still in the play: Robin is joined by his band of colorful characters including Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet and Maid Marian, Robin Hood’s lady love.
It’s a “bawdy” epic depicting “the arrogance of wealth and power,” says its publisher Samuel French. The theme of the “have’s” versus the “have not’s” resonate especially today.
Today’s “have not’s” have been hit especially hard by Hurricane Sandy – and so students will be donating all funds received at the door to Poly’s Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, and will also be accepting new blankets to benefit New York City’s Robin Hood Foundation.
All are invited to the performance on Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in the Richard Perry Theatre on Poly’s Dyker Heights campus at 9216 Seventh Avenue. A reception in the Student Center follows the performance. More at www.polyprep.org
