Erika Jennings as Maid Marian and Tim Kinker as Robin Hood in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players production of “Robin Hood.” “Robin Hood opens Friday. (Photo by Maeghan O’Neill)

MARIETTA — The legendary hero Robin Hood and his band of merry men (and woman) comes to life this weekend on the stage of the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theater, 229 Putnam St.

“Robin Hood” by Larry Blamire is a hysterical, action-packed drama that challenges and reinvents the myth and retells the tale. The version includes the Maid Marian as a wise-cracking superior swordswoman and Robin, who by chance finds himself a hero and brings justice to Sherwood Forest.

Erika Jennings who plays the fiery Marian is new to the Players stage, but has been acting for years.

“I am from Fayetteville, W.Va., and did many productions there. I moved to Marietta at the end of 2019,” she said. “When events started popping up again, I knew I really wanted to get into the acting scene here as well, and I just happened to see the ‘Robin Hood’ poster two days before audition.”

Marian is her favorite character she has portrayed to date.

John Burns as Friar Tuck, Erin O’Neill as Queen Eleanor, George Faber as Much and Erika Jennings as the Maid Marian in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players production of “Robin Hood.” The show opens Friday. (Photo by Maeghan O’Neill)

“She’s sarcastic to no end, but she’s very protective of those she loves. She’s a leader and has no trouble standing up to anyone,” Jennings said. “That’s the kind of woman I am proud to present.”

Little John is played by Justin McKown, who enjoyed working with his fellow cast and crew.

“My experience with ‘Robin Hood’ has been wonderful. The people in MOVP have been so warm and welcoming to me,” McKown said. “It’s definitely reignited my love of the stage.”

Director Amber Smrek first got the idea to bring “Robin Hood” to the Players Theater two years ago when she wanted to use her Marietta College training in stage combat to direct a high-energy show.

But her plans took a turn when she learned some big news in January and had to realize her own limits.

“Robin Hood” by the Mid-Ohio Valley Players opens Friday. Here are Ike Eastwood as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sam Kinker as King John. (Photo by Maeghan O’Neill)

“I found out at the top of the year that I was four months pregnant. This meant, after two years of planning and choreographing fights, I was quickly finding myself in a position where I would no longer be able to teach my actors their fights and train them,” she said. “My brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Melanie Elliott, stepped in to help with the training. Aaron even had his YouTube channel, ‘Blind Wave,’ donate all the weaponry you will get to see on our stage.”

Tim Kinker portrays the heroic Robin Hood and can not wait for people to see the show.

“This play presented a wonderful challenge to get everything absolutely right with the sword fights, jokes and accents,” Kinker said. “But we have a terrific cast to do these iconic characters and this iconic story justice.”

“Robin Hood” is sponsored by Wesbanco.

The show runs 7 p.m. Friday, June 24 and 25 and 3 p.m. Sunday and June 26. Tickets are $13 each and are available at midohiovalleyplayers.org or at the box office 90 minutes prior to each show.

Sean Shoop as Will Scarlet, Kevin Knapp as the Bishop, and Becca Buck as a King’s Forester rehearse a scene in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players production of “Robin Hood.” The show opens Friday. (Photo by Maeghan O’Neill)

Cast:

* Robin Hood, Tim Kinker

* Will, Sean Shoop

* Sheriff of Nottingham, Ike Eastwood

* Riccon, Sam Bidwell

* Guy, Nathaniel Maciag

* Bishop, Kevin Knapp

* King John, Sam Kinker

* Little John, Justin McKown

* Much, George Faber

* Arthur, Leon Elliott

* Alan, Nicholas Rake

* Edith, Becca Buck

* Friar Tuck, John Burns

* Marian, Erika Jennings

* Hilton, Rylee Lee

* Meg, Lindsey Dornon

* Ellen, Morgan Maciag

* Catherine, Sherri Knapp

* Queen Eleanor, Erin O’Neill

* Prioress, Rebecca Maciag

* Director: Amber Smrek

* Assistant Directors: Angela Shrader and Sherri Knapp