‘It feels like when they cast this show, they were trying to film a heist movie,” said actor David Yen about his co-stars in “Sherwood,” the play that kicks off Cinnabar Theater’s 2025/2026 season. “Everyone brings something special to the table,” added Yen, “and they do it with real skill.”

Yen is one of four (out of eight) ensemble members who sat down to talk about the production of Ken Ludlow’s comedy, opening Sept. 12 at the Warren Theatre at Sonoma State University. Directed by Zachary Hasbany, “Sherwood” is a hilarious and heart-warming revision of the Robin Hood legends. The play stars Adam Torrian as the titular bandit and includes Amanda Vitiello as his paramour Maid Marian, with Tim Setzer as his nemesis, The Sheriff of Nottingham.

Yen appears as Friar Tuck, who also narrates the play.

“The concept is that we’re a travelling trunk show of players who have just landed in your shire and are here to tell you this great story,” Yen expanded. “It has all the things you want and then some.”

In this case, those things include medieval poetry set to music and swashbuckling fight scenes, in addition to an abundance of romance and comedy. The play marks Yen’s return to the stage after a long hiatus, and Adam Torrian’s first show with Cinnabar.

“I live in Modesto, so it’s quite a trek, but it’s worth it,” Torrian joked. “I started acting when I was 21. I’m 37 now, and I’ve never had a role like this before, with so much physicality. So I’m happy to be doing it while I still can!”

The numerous quarterstaff battles, rapier duels and long sword fights aren’t the only challenges Torrian faces.

“The most daunting thing about playing a character that is incredibly iconic is the expectations people have,” Torrian said. “Robin Hood and his men are characters I’ve grown up seeing my entire life.”

Torrian’s favorite cinematic version is ‘Men In Tights,’ and he admits he uses Cary Elwes’s performance as a guide. Amanda Vitiello is also a fan of the 1993 Mel Brooks comedy, but prior to auditioning for the show, she “only knew a little bit about Robin Hood — and even less about Maid Marian.”

She’s done a bit of research since getting cast, of course, but says she’s now primarily just focused on what’s on the page.

“Since Ludwig’s Marian is ‘the best archer’ in the play,” Vitiello added, “I like that because I, Amanda, like being the best at something.”

She’s also found a more “feminist” ideology in the Marian of “Sherwood.”

“She’s written as kind of the ‘straight-man,’ in that she’s often the serious one,” Vitiello said. “But as you watch her get older and become more skilled and more self-reliant, color and strength emerge that elevate her from the demure ingenue of the Errol Flynn film.”

Errol Flynn’s 1938 classic “The Adventures of Robin Hood” is Yen’s personal favorite, but for Tim Setzer, the 1973 Disney animated feature — in which Robin Hood is a charming fox voiced by Brian Bedford — will always be the standard by which all Robin Hoods are judged.”

“That’s the pressure of playing Robin Hood,” Torrian laughed, “having to live up to a sexy cartoon fox!”

When it comes to his own character, however, Setzer applauds Ludlow’s decision to include other villains from the Robin Hood folklore.

“Usually, the Sheriff of Nottingham is this evil loner, but in this show I am both not alone and not the most evil!” Setzer explained. “Sir Guy of Gisborne is definitely more evil than I am, very much a ‘this is the law’ authoritarian, while Prince John is just outrageous and wouldn’t bat an eye at having someone snuffed on the streets.”

The Sheriff in “Sherwood” less of a bad guy and more of a bumbling yes-man with a job to do. At the end of the day, he’s even sort of lovable.”

“And Tim plays him in a way that’s very cute,” Vitiello added.

As constructed, the show deliberately has a small cast, most of which are playing three to five different roles.

“It’s been so collaborative, Setzer said. “We all have ideas and will bounce them off each other, and I think most of them have ended up somewhere.”

Though they jokingly divide themselves as “Heroes” vs. “Villains” backstage, everyone in the company has emphasized how much they love working together — and how much they enjoy all the fight choreography by Raisa Donato.

“The quarterstaff battle between Robin Hood and Little John is slamming, and usually whenever Sir Guy pulls out a sword it’s about to get epic,” Yen, who is also the Fight Captain, expounded. “Right now our fight call is 45 minutes to an hour.”

The stage combat definitely keeps the show feeling very alive,” Vitiello agreed.

“That’s something I’m excited about as an actor because of how much it keeps me in the moment,” she said. “There is never a dull rehearsal.”

The message of the play is also one this merry band says they are glad to be sharing with audiences.

“I start and end by mentioning that the spirit of the play is kindness and justice and love,” said Yen. “If we take that with us, we can all make the world a better place.”Torrian shared the one of the things he enjoys about playing Robin Hood is how sincere the character is about the equality of all people, regardless of their social status.

“Even though he starts off as a noble he never turns his nose up at problems like poverty and injustice once he becomes aware of them,” Torrian mused, “It’s a key message that once you see a problem, you kind of need to act upon it, even if doing so will only help a little.”

Vitiello agrees.

“There is no place for dictatorship,” she interjected, referencing the 12th century England that provides the play’s setting, but also feels pertinent today.

“It’s a key message of the play that once you see a problem, you kind of need to do something, to act upon it, even if it will only help a little,” Torrian continued. “The show isn’t just a pure romp.”

Setzer, however, was quick to remind that the show is, above all else, a hilarious adventure for the whole family.

“Very PG,” he said, wagging a finger. Probably more 1980s PG but still … PG.”

Stuart Bousel is a playwright, director, essayist and freelance journalist whose work appears regularly in the Petaluma Argus-Courier.