Illustrated poster reading "Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood" above a silhouette of Robin Hood aiming a bow and arrow, set against a forest background in vibrant green, brown, and blue tones.

Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood

June 3 – 11, Gladys G. Davis Theatre

Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who takes on the ruthless greed of the powers that be. This story of courage is based on the classic hero’s tale and is filled with high stakes, love and a deep belief in social justice. You won’t want to miss a moment of the swashbuckling fun! 

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The Playwright

Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire.

His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in London, most recently in 2023. His play Death on the Nile is currently on a 26-city tour of the UK and Ireland.

In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the 1990 Kennedy Center Honors. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot and Shakespeare in Hollywood. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins, Kristen Bell and Henry Goodman.

His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, has been a bestseller and has recently been released in a new, expanded edition. It won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year. He studied music with Leonard Bernstein at Harvard University. His essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review, and he gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the American College Theatre Festival. He holds a lifetime appointment to the Council of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2022. His most recent world premieres were Moriarty and Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley; Adults at Play; Beginner’s Luck with a score by George and Ira Gershwin; and Easter Parade with a score by Irving Berlin.

He has been commissioned to write plays by the Agatha Christie Estate, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic.

The Creative Team

Director – Ian Borden

Dr. Borden is faculty for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska. He is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, and has choreographed violence on stage and film in Canada, the USA, Ireland, Spain, and the Bahamas. He has a fondness for Shakespeare and the plays of siglo de oro Spain.

Recent work includes directing The Importance of Being Earnest and Fight Directing Julius Caesar, POTUS, Shakespeare’s R&J and Bright Star at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. Internationally he staged violence for Shakespeare in Paradise in the Bahamas, and Teatro Cánovas in Málaga, Spain. You can see his cinema work in the Hollywood film Hide and Bleed.

Scenic Designer – Tetta M. Askeland

Tetta M. Askeland (she/her/hers) is a scenic designer and educator based in Minnesota. She holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern College, an MFA in Scenic Design from Kent State University, and a doctorate in education with an emphasis in educational technology from Winona State University. Her doctoral work focused on integrating AI into the design process to improve visual communication. In addition to freelance work, Askeland teaches theatrical design and technical theatre at Southwest Minnesota State University, where she teaches design, management, and technology classes. 

Costume Designer – Lara Berich

Lara Berich (they/them) is the Assistant Professor of Costume Technology at West Virginia University and a Professional Draper and Tailor. Her design work includes Kragtar! an American Monster Musical, Alley Theatre, RENT, 2024 at Niagara University, Castle with 1000 Lights at Montana Repertory Theatre, She Kills Monsters (Virtual Realms), and Twelfth Night at University of Montana. She has worked with the Santa Fe Opera, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and many other theatres and designers, including the Huntington Theatre Company, the Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Susan Tsu, Dede Ayite, Fabio Toblini, and Miodrag Gubernic.

Lighting Designer – Michael McGinley

Michael is thrilled to be returning to WVPT as Lighting Designer for Sherwood. Michael is a staff member of the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media’s Production and Facilities Office and recently earned his MFA in Lighting Design and Technology from the WVU School of Theatre & Dance. Most recently, Michael’s work was seen in Dance Now! ‘26, and the WVU School of Music’s first ever collaborative concert, Halloween Spooktacular 2025. Michael would like to thank Sarah, his wife, partner, and best friend. Without her, he would not be able to do any of this.

Sound Designer – Chuck Hatcher

Chuck Hatcher has been a professor and and freelance sound designer for over 35 years. Chuck served as the head of the BFA/MFA sound design training program at the University of Cincinnati/CCM fo 13 years and was the resident sound designer/engineer at Cornell University for 12 years. Although retired from full time work, recent productions include The Memory Exam for Oberon Theatre Collective in NYC and Much Ado About Nothing for Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He relocated to Morgantown in 2022 with his wife, WVU faculty member and scenic designer, Tammy Honesty. He is a member of the theatrical designers union, USA829, retired.

Prop Designer – Kate Brittingham

Kate Brittingham manages the WVU School of Theatre and Dance Scene Shop. She has worked as Properties Master at Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Chautauqua Opera, Theatre Baton Rouge, LOOK Musical Theatre, Swine Palace, and Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Favorite prop productions include Blackbeard: The Musical, In the Heights, and Frankenstein. Brittingham often coordinates props and builds custom furniture and hand props for regional theatre productions. She holds an MFA in Properties Technology from Louisiana State University and a BA in Theatre from California University of Pennsylvania. She is a proud member of the Society of Properties Managers and USITT.

Production Stage Manager – Laura Stone

Laura Stone is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BFA in Drama, Design and Technical Production major focusing on Stage Management. Her previous credits include UNC Greensboro Theatre’s productions of Lempicka (Production Stage Manager) Sweeney Todd (Production Stage Manager), Much Ado About Nothing (Production Stage Manager), Everybody (Wardrobe Supervisor), Tartuffe (Assistant Stage Manager), Into the Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), and Roe (Assistant Stage Manager). Laura is excited to start her journey into the post college world.

The Cast

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Robin Hood – Christian Prins Coen

Christian Prins Coen is an award-winning stage and screen actor based in NYC. Coen is delighted to bring Robin Hood to life with all his charm and vigor. Théâtre: Secrets (Rodolfo), RIP Jabari… (Elijah), and How to Feel Without Touching (Death). Film: In2u (Cam), 60in TV (Adin). Training: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, The Second City, and Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Christian sends love to Valeria in NYC, and to their mother—wherever she’s landed. Have heart and courage, my friends—it looks good on you! Follow irresponsibly IG: @beigebabyjesus.

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Little John – Sam Landretti

Samuel is thrilled to be making his West Virginia Public Theatre debut. Currently based in Lincoln, Nebraska, some of his roles include Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s Zack in Tigers Be Still directed by Lori Adams, Student 3 in Shakespeare’s R&J directed by Joe Colarco, Flatwater Shakespeare Company’s Tybalt/Balthazaar/Friar John in Punk Rock Romeo and Juliet, and the Lab Theatre’s Detective Elliot Shaw in their production of Carcass directed by Grace Ulrich. Samuel thanks his friends and family for their continued support throughout his acting career, and he hopes that you enjoy the show. 

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Friar Tuck – Stephen Shelter

Stephen has a BA in theater performance. He has professionally performed in Spamalot as King Arthur, Clue as Mr. Green, and Dracula as Renfield. He is excited for His first show here at WVPT. Through his acting career, Stephen hopes to give people freedom through every performance, whether that’s freedom to laugh or freedom to rest from reality so that when the story is done they can go back to their reality and conquer! @stephennewbreed

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Maid Marian – Sydney Lofton

Sydney H. Lofton is delighted to be joining WVPT for Sherwood! Sydney is a current MFA candidate at the University of Houston/Alley Theatre Professional Actor Training Program. Recent credits: Tragedy Sound (Playhouse on the Square), Richard III (Studio 208), The Woman in Black (Kentucky Shakespeare), Restoration Comedy (University of Houston), Lilly and the Pirates (Stage One Family Theatre), Winnie the Pooh (Lexington Children’s Theatre). Sydney received her BFA from Belmont University and holds Actor/Combatant status with the SAFD. 

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Sheriff – Aleksander Papanastasopoulos

Aleksander Papanastasopoulos is an NYC/London-based actor who holds an MFA in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Michigan University. He’s thrilled to make his WVPT debut in Sherwood after arriving directly from the UK. Prior credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost (Costard), The Music Man (Harold Hill), Oklahoma (Curly), Camelot (Mordred), Macbeth (Macduff), and The Lady in Question (Baron Wilhelm von Elsner). He’s forever grateful for the love and support of his wife, Madison. Visit his website: aleksanderp.com

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Prince John – Nic Nightingale

Nic is thrilled to be making his WVPT debut with this production! Nic is an actor, comedian, writer, and self-proclaimed really nice guy. He has performed onboard Disney Cruise Line as a mainstage actor, onboard Virgin Voyages as a stand-up comedian, and overseas at the Tokyo Disney Resort as a pirate. Nic has trained and performed with The Second City, iO Chicago, and the Upright Citizen Brigade among other comedy theaters. Follow him on Instagram @nvnightingale and visit his website nicnightingale.com

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Guy of Gisbourne – Mason Dowd

Mason Dowd is excited to be returning to West Virginia Public Theatre!  Originally from Pittsburgh, Mason has been seen performing with various regional theatres, such as Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, City Theatre Company, PICT Classic Theatre, the New Hazlett Theatre, Big Storm Performance Company, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Playhouse, and New Renaissance Theatre Company.  He holds his BFA in Acting from Point Park University, and is a current MFA Acting candidate at the Alley Theatre/The University of Houston.  Mason is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

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Deorwyn – Katherine Manning

Katherine Manning (Deorwyn) is excited to work with West Virginia Public Theatre on this production of Sherwood. Previous credits include Ensemble in It’s a Wonderful Life, as well as West Virginia University’s productions of Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really (Mina Harker) and Sueno (Lady-in-Waiting / Rosaura U/S). She would like to thank her friends, family, and professors for their continued support.

Ensemble – Madeline Dalesio

Madeline Delasio is a rising BFA Musical Theatre major at WVU and is thrilled to be making her WVPT debut with Sherwood! You might have seen Madeline in WVU’s Amour (Madeleine) and 9 to 5! (Missy Hart). Past regional theater credits include Pittsburgh CLO; The Sound of Music, Gypsy, Brigadoon, 75th Anniversary Broadway Celebration, Prime Stage Theatre; The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne Frank) Other favorites: The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox), Newsies (Katherine). Madeline would like to thank her Family and Friends for their love and support! 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Ensemble – Ella Duffey

Ella Duffey is a rising Junior BFA Acting student at WVU. She is minoring in Marketing and Dance. Recently, Ella was seen as May in Sam Shepherd’s Fool For Love, and as Emma in Julia Cho’s The Language Archive, and as a narrator in Zack Burton’s The Manic Monologues, all with WVU Lab Theatre. Ella has previously worked with WVPT as an assistant stage manager for their 2025 production of It’s a Wonderful Life. She wants to extend a huge thank you to her loving and supportive friends and family.

Ensemble – Ethan Maxwell

Ethan Maxwell (Ensemble) is excited to work with West Virginia Public Theatre again on this production of Sherwood. Previous credits include Ensemble in It’s a Wonderful Life as well as West Virginia University’s productions of Sueño (Clotaldo), Amour (Bass Swing), The Rimers of Eldritch (Robert), and Into The Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince). He would like to extend his gratitude and thanks to all his family, mentors, and friends for all of their continued support!

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