On Stage: In the 'Hood' By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer 2/7/2005 Clark Theater youngsters go into the woods for take on Robin Hood tale You may think you know all of the adventures of Robin Hood, but the young people of Clark Theater this week offer a bit different -- and sillier -- interpretation of the legend. Think of Sherwood Forest by way of Mel Brooks, or perhaps Monty Python's Flying Circus. The dialogue provides an example of what to expect from "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood," such as an exchange between Lady Marion and the Merry Men who try to rob her.

“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” at Clark Theater will include Hannah Littlefield (left) as a Merry Man, Brie Long as Will Scarlet, Sean Harris as Little John, Tabitha Littlefield as Town Girl, Taylor Gajan as a Merry Man, Addison Holder as Robin and Clayton Bradshaw as Friar Tuck. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

Lady Marion: "Oh, you're the Married Men I've heard about!"

Merry Men: "Oh no, m'lady, we're quite single."

Buh-dump-bump.

One more worthy of a rim shot?

Robin Hood: " Join me in my quest to aid the needy, men of Sherwood."

Men: " Sure would!"

" The spirit is about halfway between a farce and a melodrama," said director Julie Tattershall. " We're having fun with things like Evil Prince John, who hears 'Boo! Hiss!' from offstage every time his name is said, but he never knows where it's coming from."

As an aid for the elementary and middle school students starring in playwright Mary Lynn Dobson's work, Tattershall assigned cast and crew to view the medieval comedy favorite " The Princess Bride."

It proved valuable to one young actress, Tattershall said, who was having some difficulty emoting in the over-the-top manner the play called for.

"Her thought in seeing the movie was, 'But this is overacting.' I said, yes, we're all going to overdo it."

The Robin Hood story is largely left in place amid the laughs, Tattershall said, making the jokes "so funny because everyone already knows the story. It's like they're already in on the joke."

The cast includes Addison Holder, Nathan Robertson, Patrick Neal, Sean Harris, Katie Iannazzo, Clayton Bradshaw, Deanna Mancino, Brie Long, Taylor Gajan, Hannah Littlefield, Tabitha Littlefield, Brie Burnett and Tierra Thompson. The crew members are Lindsay Cunningham, Reye McAtee and Roxanne Dominick.

Clark Theater's production of "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Clark Theater, 11440 E. Admiral Place. Tickets are $5-$7 and may be reserved by calling 669-6455.