Robin Hood Opens Friday at Franklin

LIVONIA — 10/12/2026

The Franklin Players open Mary Lynn Dobson's The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood Friday, Oct. 16, at the Franklin High School Performing Arts Center, with a cast of 26 students and performances through Sunday, Oct. 18. Director Colleen Meyer said she chose the comedy because it retells a classic tale "with a hilarious twist" and gives a large cast room to shine.

Franklin Players, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, dress rehearsal — Dress rehearsal. Photo: Franklin High School

Showtimes and tickets

Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.

All three performances are at the Franklin High School Performing Arts Center, 31000 Joy Road. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, sold online or at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes before each show. The show runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.

Parking will be limited Friday, Meyer said, because of a football game the same night; Franklin hosts Walled Lake Northern at 7 p.m. She asked audiences to arrive early.

Source: Franklin Players director Colleen Meyer and the show poster; football schedule via Locals Thrive

Why this show

Meyer, the Franklin Players' drama director, said she picked the script for its comedy and its size.

“I chose The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood because I loved the idea of retelling a classic fairy tale with a hilarious twist. The comedy in this script is incredible, and it gives so many students the opportunity to shine onstage. I love that it allows us to showcase a large, talented cast while creating a fun, entertaining experience for our audiences. It's a show that reminds us how much fun live theatre can be!”
— Colleen Meyer, Franklin Players director

From the cast

“This show has been one of, if not the funniest, shows I have ever worked on in my theater career! Every day when I come in to rehearse with my lovely castmates, I always leave in a happier mood or laughing my head off. Heck, even the production team hollers every night!”
— Dylan Ripper, sophomore, Robin Hood

“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood is the funniest show I've had the pleasure of being part of. Your ribs will hurt from laughing by the end!”
— Audrey Schutte, senior, Marian

“One of the best things I like about this show is how exciting and hilarious it is. I personally just feel really good on stage as the Prince—villainous, devious, but deliciously gorgeous. The costumes are very well done and bring the cast into character.”
— Brendhan “Bren” Beck, senior, Prince John

“I've loved working with the cast and crew so far. My favorite part is being an old man, and I want people to experience the action of Robin Hood firsthand!”
— Mike Martin, senior, Friar Tuck

“EVERYTHING in this show is hilarious, shocking, and fun. If you like comedy, this is the show for you! Everyone has worked so hard, and we just love our audiences.”
— Hunter Adams, senior, Town's Guy

“There's something magical about seeing a show where you know the cast and crew are having just as much fun as the audience.”
— Grayson Scamp, senior, Will Scarlet

“This show is straight magic. From the moment you enter the theater to the moment the curtain goes down at the end, you feel the love and energy that has gone into this production. I have adored every late-night rehearsal that has created this show. The cast and crew are phenomenal. The directors are so encouraging, and the parent helpers are the backbone to it all.”
— Rufina Thompson, senior, Lady-in-Waiting

“I have loved every second of being in this show. This cast is one of the most perfectly cast and talented groups of people I know. Seeing this show is worth every tear that'll come from laughing so incredibly hard!”
— Cecelia “Cece” Blick, senior, Lady-in-Waiting

“People should come see the show not only because of how hard we have worked, but because it's such a fun show for families, with so many laughs throughout!”
— Brolen December, sophomore, Byron / Rich Man / Guard

“I loved coming to theater every day to see my best friends and have fun with them while doing something I love so much.”
— Gabriel “Gabe” Brezniak, freshman, Lionel / Guard

“Everyone worked so hard to make this an amazing and funny show. So proud of us all!”
— Cecilia “Cece” Best, sophomore, Fawning Lady / Prisoner

Behind the scenes

“It was fun building the sets and helping the cast do what they do. I really learned a lot from being in the crew. People should see the show because it is really amazing.”
— Benjamin Bonadeo, sophomore, build crew

“This show is one of the funniest shows I've ever been a part of. And the set is a chef's kiss! It looks so real and majestic.”
— Ace Downey, sophomore, build crew

“One of the things I like best in theater is running the lights. I think people should come see our production because it is really funny, and whoever comes would have a blast and be laughing all night long!”
— Dillon Lenihan, junior, light board operator

“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood is amazing. It takes the fairy tale and makes it hilarious. Everyone who has been working on the show makes it ten times better. The amount of laughs, cries, and plain fun I have experienced working on this show has made me feel like I belong somewhere, and I wouldn't trade that for the world.”
— Olivia Ottenbacher, junior, costumes

“The show is very funny and full of jokes! If you are into comedy, you should come watch!”
— Weston Reid, freshman, house crew

Source: quotes submitted by students through the Franklin Players and sent by director Colleen Meyer

Cast

Robin Hood: Dylan Ripper, sophomore
Marian: Audrey Schutte, senior
Prince John: Bren Beck, senior
Sheriff of Nottingham: Dom Iafrate, senior
Town's Guy: Hunter Adams, senior
Town's Gal: Jordan McCargo, junior
Friar Tuck: Mike Martin, senior
Little John: Aeris Mullins, senior
Will Scarlet: Grayson Scamp, senior
Allan Adale: Xavier Pierce, sophomore
Lady-in-Waiting: Cece Blick, senior
Lady-in-Waiting: Carmella Hill, senior
Lady-in-Waiting: Rufina Thompson, senior
Stage Manager: Frank Demarest, senior
Byron / Rich Man / Guard: Brolen December, sophomore
Mary / Guard / Poor Lady: Maylene Li, junior
Lionel / Guard: Gabe Brezniak, freshman
Donald / Guard / Student Director: Ella Darket, senior
Lord Laugh Alot / Guard: Malcolm Gorsline, freshman
Debbie / Guard: Jade Mitchell, sophomore
Fawning Lady / Prison Solo: Maddy Alfonsi, junior
Fawning Lady / Prison Solo: Maddie Archer, freshman
Fawning Lady / Prisoner: Maddy Schaf, senior
Fawning Lady / Prisoner: Rylee Daniels, freshman
Fawning Lady / Prisoner: Cece Best, sophomore
Fawning Lady / Prisoner: Abby Tuynman, freshman

Crew

Stage Manager: Whitney Regnier (11)
Assistant Stage Manager: Yara Boscarino (10)
Student Director: Ella Darket (12)
P.R. Manager: Cece Blick (12)
Deck Captain: Greyson Stevens (12)
Head of House: Alice Krueger (11)
Tech Director: Hailey Newton (11)
A1: Chloe Cossey (12)
A2: Owen Voorheis (9)
A3: Charlie Lynn (12)
Light Board: Dillon Lenihan (11)
Projections: Isabella Krueger (12)
Costumes: Zoey Ghent (9), Lily O'Connor (9), Olivia Ottenbacher (11), Juleanna Lenoir (9)
Backstage/Props: Alexa Blizzard (10), Aubri Driver (9), Natalie Souva (9)
House: Kaelyn Esch (11), Celia Overaitis (10), Weston Reid (9), Sunny Renberg (12)
Build: Madison Archer (9), Benjamin Bonadeo (10), Rylee Daniels (10), Sean Downey (12), Ace Downey (10), Sonja Edbauer (12), Alexander Hill (9), Maylene Li (11), Eleanor Young (9)