To See or Not to See: The Robber Bridegroom

Robin Hood meets Snow White in Roundabout Theater Company’s revival production of The Robber Bridegroom. It is a rollicking tale of money, jealousy, and love told with a generous amount of humor and twangy Southern charm.

Jamie Lockhart (a smooth-voiced Steven Pasquale) is a two-faced ruffian. In town, he is known as an upstanding citizen; in the woods, though, he is the bandit known as The Robber in the Woods. With his face stained by berry juice to disguise his features, he moves between his two worlds seamlessly. Rosamund, the beautiful daughter of the local wealthy plantation owner, is bored by her repetitive life. One night, she encounters the bandit in the woods—and falls for him–only to be promised by her father to Jamie Lockhart. As their worlds collide, shenanigans ensue in and out of the woods.

Performances across the board were sufficiently campy, light-hearted, and free-spirited. The fun that the entire cast has on stage is contagious and had the audience in a constant state of joy and laughter. Steven Pasquale’s vocals soar, and he embodies both sides of Lockhart with aplomb. The real standout performance, though, is Leslie Kritzer as Salome, Rosamund’s wicked stepmother. Her comedic timing, delivery, and flare for performing all combine perfectly. She stole every scene she was in.

The direction of Alex Timbers makes for, as usual, an incredibly delightful and imaginative show. Timbers’s wonderful production of Peter and the Starcatcher is evident in The Robber Bridegroom‘s set design and use of props on stage by the cast. The props were ingeniously and efficiently used by cast members to create sound effects and a world with the imagination (Rosamund’s adventure through the forest was magical. Using plain wooden benches and blue fabric, the cast created a vibrant wood and stream.). Not only does that type of direction of cast using props create an intimate shared experience between the cast and audience, but it also makes the audiences feel like part of a living production. I should also mention that the lighting was fantastic–especially with the scene in the woods at night. The illuminated mason jars lit up like fireflies creating a beautiful and haunting effect.

Although this musical skirts around any deep themes (love versus lust or women as objects), it does what I think it means to do: put on a good show with good music (bravo to the on-stage band members) and good actors. So, for a lighthearted and laughter-filled night out, go see The Robber Bridegroom.

*The Robber Bridegroom runs through May 29, 2016.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus