Tony Winner Gabriel Ebert & More Set For The Heart of Robin Hood Canadian Premiere

Tony winner Gabriel Ebert, Tony nominee Euan Morton and more will star in the Canadian premiere of The Heart of Robin Hood, a humorous new take on the tale of the classic vigilante. The play is written by David Farr and features music by folk band Parsonsfield (formerly Poor Old Shine) and lyrics by the band and Farr. The show, under the direction of Gisli Örn Gardarsson, is scheduled to play Winnipeg’s John Hirsch Theatre from November 12 through December 6 and Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre beginning December 23, where it will run through March 1, 2015. No word yet on whether the production intends to come to Broadway following its stint in Canada.

Ebert won a Tony Award in 2013 for his performance in Matilda and recently appeared on Broadway in Casa Valentina. A Tony nominee for Taboo, Morton’s additional stage credits include Sondheim on Sondheim and Atomic.

Additional cast members will include Izzie Steele as Marion and Christian Lloyd as Pierre. Rounding out the company are Anna Bartlam, Richard Clarkin, Jeremy Crawford, Zachary Eisenstat, Paul Essiembre, Amariah Faulkner, Troy Feldman, Jason Gosbee, Martin Julien, Tristan Mackid, Katelyn McCulloch, Meguire McRae-King, Carson Reaume, Sarah Schenkkan, Stephen Michael Spencer, Darcy Stewart and Tate Yap. The members of Parsonsfield, Chris Freeman, Antonio Alcorn, Max Shakun, Harrison Goodale and Erik Hischmann, will perform live on stage during the show.

In this twist on the classic tale, Robin Hood (Ebert) and his band of outlaws steal from the rich, but they do not share their spoils with the poor and are unloved by the people, who must also pay unfair taxes to the evil Prince John (Morton) as he plots to steal his brother’s crown. In this time of chaos and fear, Marion must boldly protect the poor and convince Robin to listen to his heart if they are to save the country. The show premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2011 and played the American Repertory Theater in Massachusetts in 2013.

The Heart of Robin Hood features set design by Börkur Jónsson, costume design by Emma Ryott, lighting design by Björn Helgason and sound design by Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm.