OCEAN CITY — The students of the Ocean City High School Drama Guild won’t be stealing from the rich to give to the poor, but they will be performing their production of “Robin Hood” on Nov. 16-18.
OCHS Theater Director Robert LeMaire said it will be the 14th show he has directed for the school district and one that many of the students are looking forward to performing.
LeMaire said he picked the show this year as a change of pace from what is traditionally offered.
“We’ve done some older comedies in the past, so this year I wanted to mix it up and do something a little more contemporary,” LeMaire said. “The story does take place in the early 12th century, but it’s a contemporary take on the original Robin Hood story. There’s comedy, a lot of action, lots of sword fighting and it’s just a cute, fun show with a lot of acting involved.”
This rendition follows the same idea and story line as the original Robin Hood story, just with a more modern take. One thing the cast members and LeMaire are most excited for is the sword fighting that takes place in many scenes.
Terri McIntyre of the Society of American Fight Directors, a professional fight choreographer and stage combat specialist, visited the school to work with the students on getting the fighting scenes down perfectly.
“It was phenomenal having her here,” LeMaire said. “The kids learned so much about the choreography and how to sword fight. It’s just next-level and they look so good.”
Senior Ryan Mulraney is playing the title bandit and says the fight scenes are his favorite part of the play. Being his last fall play performing at Ocean City High School, Mulraney hopes the audiences enjoy the performance and everything the cast puts into it.
“I’m most excited to see the sword fighting and all the other fight scenes and how they turn out,” Mulraney said. “Hopefully the show comes across as funny and that all the action scenes work out well. There’s a bit of everything — action, romance and comedy — so I hope we pull it all together well.”
One thing that makes the Drama Guild special is that the students are able to run a large part of it. Lily Mammele is the student stage manager this year and has a lot of important tasks to complete. The guild also has a student-run board led by guild president Vivian Maucher.
The senior is playing the role of Queen Eleanor, father of the king. She said her favorite part of this year’s play is the costume she gets to wear and that she gets to be the leader of the guild.
“I love leading this club. I like making lists, spending time with everyone and a big thing for me is making sure to include everyone in everything we do,” Maucher said.
Along with loving her character as the head of helm in the show and in real life, Maucher is excited for what she feels the show will give to the club.
“All the rehearsals have been going super well and I just really think this show is going to be one our bigger performances,” Maucher said. “I think ‘Robin Hood’ is a very well-known show, so I think we will get a lot of kids and audience members to come out and watch us.”
Another lead role in the show is Maid Marian played by senior Alessandra Lucasti, who said it is her favorite role.
“I love how different this show is from other ones I’ve done here,” Lucasti said. “It’s a lot more fun. I’m getting more into my character and I’m just enjoying being here even though with this character I do have to be at the rehearsals every single day; it’s just still so fun.”
All of the cast members, including Lucasti, shared how family-like the cast feels and that they think it’s a large part of what makes their club stand out.
LeMaire said the show is all about the students and he has a blast working with them throughout the fall.
“I just want to put on a good show,” LeMaire said. “This is for the students, so that they can be excited and feel fulfilled when it’s over and know that they accomplished something great like they always do.”
Performances are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students and free for children under 12.
By DELANEY CRAWFORD/Special to the Sentinel
