This 23-track recording brings to life the legend of Robin Hood. Featuring a new character, the young firebrand Diana who transforms the Merry Men from a band of disorganized outlaws into passionate freedom fighters, this retelling adds many new wrinkles to the original story.
Diana persuades Robin to leave the relative freedom of Sherwood Forest and join her larger revolution. The spreading rebellion brings triumph as well as tragedy. The story includes romance, action and historical perspective. But mostly it presents fabulous emotionally powerful music.
Marion and Robin's love story remains, as does the swashbuckling fun of the Merry Men and the cruel yet comical interactions with the Sheriff of Nottingham and his evil uncle Lord Gisbourne. After the men return from the ill-fated Crusades, Diana encourages the converted Norman landowner Will Scarlet to draft what would later become the Magna Carta. Their are many layers of inspiration and entertainment. This is a wise cautionary tale that remains relevant and popular to this day.
Robin Hood was one of CenterStage Productions' most successful musicals, touring the US and Canada in 1991-1992, then again in 1994-1997 with an expanded script. It also had an extended run Off Broadway in 1994-1995, with additional music added and a new script (under the title "Freedom's First Light"). This recording highlights music from each version, with minimal narration, remastered from stage recordings and composer demos by Factory Underground Studios. Includes new music from the Off-Broadway version.
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