Wolf Creek Players cast members pictured during the Sunday, Nov. 8 matinee performance of "The Many Disguises of Robin Hood" at Union Middle School in Dysart. From left, Steve Steinlage (Little John), Gage Torres (obscured, Friar Tuck), Jana Ryan (Robin Hood), Cheri Driscol (Bold Beth), Sandi Hulst (Much), Jennie Harrison (Jill Scarlet), and Raegan Reed (Alana Dale). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – For three shows last weekend, the Wolf Creek Players took to the stage at Union Middle School here, delivering a knockout performance of “The Many Disguises of Robin Hood” by the award-winning playwright Brian Guehring.

The approximately 60-minute, 12-act comedic production was skillfully directed by Deb Kloster and featured a 15-member cast of mostly local actors. Dysart resident Jana Ryan, the current president of the Wolf Creek Players, performed in the title role of Robin Hood – aka Roberta, who proves to be a childhood friend of Maid Marian, played by Dana Ruehle in her debut.

Standout performances among the more precocious members of the cast included Union seventh grader Levi Stoakes, who was making his debut in the role of Prince John. Using a very convincing British accent, Stoakes skillfully camped his way through the performance, making the whiny, self-entitled Prince John one of the highlights of the production. Stoakes’ younger brother, fourth-grader Luke Stoakes, played several roles, including King Richard, making for a truly full circle moment during the play’s climax.

Ten-year-old Natalie Harrison, a Dysart-Geneseo Elementary student, was also memorable in the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham’s daughter, Luciana. So was her stage father, the Sheriff, played by a mustachioed Presley Dumas, 13, a Union student. Dumas was a delight in the opposite-gender role – consistently bringing the audience to laughter through her self-aware comedic performance.

Wolf Creek Players seasoned actors Sandi Hulst of Gladbrook, Steve Steinlage of Evansdale, and Cheri Driscol of Dysart were also all excellent in their roles and no doubt helped proliferate a feeling of ease among the majority rookie cast.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The cast devoted some 48 hours to preparation for the trio of performances, practicing locally at Zion Lutheran Church beginning Sept. 20.

More than 90 people were in attendance for the final performance, a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Following the curtain call, director Kloster provided brief closing remarks, including a plea for community support.

“Just to let you know, we are struggling. So … your attendance means a lot to us,” she said while addressing the audience from center stage. “If you find that you haven’t paid the taxes, we would gladly appreciate any donation.”

Membership in the Wolf Creek Players includes a free ticket to a performance of choice, as well as discounts. Annual membership dues are as follows: single adult, $15; couple, $35; family (two adults and two children), $50; business (four adults), $75. Dues and donations may be sent to 612 Park Street, Dysart, IA 52224, or call Jana Ryan at 319-236-8660 for more information.

As part of the playbill, Ryan included a note to the community, writing, in part, “My goal is to keep Wolf Creek Players going! The value that theater provides for actors beyond the stage is something overlooked by many. I want to continue to bring opportunities for all ages to find a passion they might not even know they had for acting.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

For those who missed the stellar staging of “The Many Disguises of Robin Hood,” be sure to follow the nonprofit’s Facebook page, Wolf Creek Players, for updates regarding upcoming productions.

In the spirit of Robin Hood: Cheer, cheer, for the Wolf Creek Players! Long live the local troupe!

Cast List

ROBIN HOOD — Jana Ryan

MAID MARIAN — Dana Ruehle

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LITTLE JOHN — Steve Steinlage

JILL SCARLET/WIDOW/BLACK KNIGHT — Jennie Harrison

FRIAR TUCK/PUPPETS — Gage Torres

ALANA DALE — Raegan Reed

ELIZABETH (BOLD BETH) — Cheri Driscol

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

MUCH/QUEEN ELEANOR — Sandi Hulst

SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — Presley Dumas

LUCIANA — Natalie Harrison

PRINCE JOHN/FORESTER — Levi Stoakes

KING RICHARD/FORESTER — Luke Stoakes

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LADY DIGGORY — Emma Ruehle

FORESTER/DUKE — Landon Dumas

FORESTER — Luna Ruehle

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER