Prairie Fire Children's Theatre returns to HIT with 'Robin Hood'

IRONWOOD - Robin Hood and his merry men are ready to save Sherwood Forest when the Prairie Fire Children's Theatre presents "Robin Hood" Saturday at the Historic Ironwood Theatre.

With original script and music by Daniel Nordquist, HIT Managing Director Bruce Greenhill said "Robin Hood" continues PFCT's tradition of presenting classic tales on the Ironwood stage with local youth talent.

The PFCT is a professional touring company based in Barrett, Minn., and has been bringing a theatrical experience to communities across the upper Midwest since 1987, according to its website. PFTC sends two professional actors/directors to a community for one week. Local children fill the roles.

Although the play is set traditionally in the 12th century, Prairie Fire's version features the Sheriff of Nottingham as a "man ahead of his time."

Greenhill said the sheriff is a visionary, and he sees the trees of Sherwood Forest gone, and in their place stand "Sherwood Theme Park" and "The Mall of Nottingham."

But in his way stands the environmentally conscious outlaw, Robin Hood.

The roles of the Sheriff of Nottingham and the Flora Queen will be played by the PFCT directors-actors Lamont Hance and Caitlin Miller.

Playing the role of Robin Hood will be 11-year-old Moe Copsey, of Ironwood. Copsey said he's new to the area and wanted to try being in theater.

While auditioning, he said he felt it would be exciting and cool to be part of the play. Copsey said he likes playing Robin Hood because he gets to run around a lot.

Hance and Miller are spending the week working with roughly 20 young actors and actresses to get them ready to perform Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m.

Watching the children rehearse Thursday, Hance said he likes to share his passion for theater with them.

"It's been great working with them," Hance said. "It's a good bunch. It's lovely seeing the discoveries they make throughout the week."

Miller said it is the first time on stage for a lot of the child actors and actresses. "It brings me so much happiness helping to expose them to something new that they may not have seen before. I like seeing their eyes light up. I take that joy and use when I need it."

Hance said the kids will put on a good show.