By Jody Key — Managing Editor

First off and straightaway, to the cast and crew of Atlanta Shakespeare Company, a hearty HUZZAH on your performance of Sherwood!! What a fun night of storytelling, comedy, and extempore improv. The audience was electric, and the Shakespeare Tavern was the place to be last Saturday night.

I’ll keep the review brief and say get your tickets yesterday to this fun show!! This past week I’ve attended two dramas and two comedies, and what a way to end the week with such an astoundingly good time. I always enjoy seeing shows at the Tavern, as Shakespeare has been near and dear to me thanks to my Dad, the English Professor. He bequeathed me a first edition copy of Shakespeare’s first folio which the Norton Publishing Company gave to him as a gift for working for them as an editor. I also owe my writing skills to Dad, but I digress. As this wasn’t one of Shakespeare’s works, but a newer work written by Ken Ludwig.

The evening began with a serenade from the whole cast. This was a wonderful way to warm up the audience and get to know the players, and what a merry band it is! Kevin Roost plays a convincing Robin Hood opposite Amanda Lindsey McDonald’s sure-shootin’ (with a bow and arrow) Maid Marion. Adam King’s Sheriff of Nottingham opposite O’Neil Delapenha’s Prince John keep the audience in stitches. Musicians Sarah Hack and Mary Ruth Ralston add a delightful live “soundtrack” to the action, and Chris Schultz as Friar Tuck adds continuity through narration of the story. Tamia Fair’s performance as Deorwynn was bold and brilliant.

This is a show for the whole family, in fact, the table next to us sported 6 well-behaved kids under the age of 10 who had a blast cheering on the good guys and booing and hissing at the bad guys. They provided great content for improvisation and made the merry men even merrier.

I believe my Dad in Heaven would give his hearty seal of approval to this show. As for me, I say this is a Speakeysie Must See!!

SHERWOOD runs until July 2nd, and you can Purchase Tickets Online for most performances at www.shakespearetavern.com