Photo by Jenny Kirk A group of Foresters — trees that come to life — react to Robin Hood’s disruptive presence in Sherwood Forest. Along with Austin Dunn as Robin Hood (center back), nearly 60 Holy Redeemer School students have been working with Missoula Children’s Theatre directors and are preparing to conclude the week with fun-filled performances today and Saturday.

MARSHALL — Together with a pair of directors from Missoula Children’s Theatre, 59 Holy Redeemer School students in grades K-8 will be presenting “Robin Hood” today and Saturday.

A lot of HRS students have had the opportunity to be part of a play for at least 15 years, according to HRS music teacher Anna Lenz, who has been the accompanist for 14 of them.

“Anyone in K-8 can audition for parts as long as they have parent permission,” Lenz said.

The “Robin Hood” show was conceived and written by Michael McGill. The music is also courtesy of McGill.

“The songs are a lot of fun,” Lenz said. “I remember them from back when I played them back in 2007, when we last did this one. The songs are fun, they’re catchy and the kids are able to learn them quickly.”

Set long ago in the magical and mythical Sherwood Forest, the hero, Robin Hood, and his merry band of colorful characters seek the help of the Foresters — while staying out of the reach of the Aristocrats — as he sets out to rescue Maid Marion and Marion’s Maid.

“We join Robin trying to hide in the castle,” Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) director Anna Stewart said during rehearsal on Wednesday. “Most of the time, you’ll begin at the beginning, but with time being short, we’re starting in the middle.”

Those on stage then broke into song, “Come hear the story, of one brave man. . .” Seventh-grader Austin Dunn is cast as Robin Hood.

“It’s going pretty good,” Dunn said. “The hardest part is trying to remember all the lines. I’m in most of the scenes.”

While there are a lot of great songs and comical instances, Dunn likes one part in particular.

“My favorite part is when the mimes put me in (an imaginary) box,” he said.

Dunn said he believes the one-week long play is coming along rather nicely and he encouraged people to attend the two performances.

“You should definitely come to this,” Dunn said. “It’s very fun and there are a lot of funny scenes.”

Chioma Onyeaghala portrays Maid Marion, while Ella Cole is Marion’s Maid. Eighth-grader Sydney Kramer serves as assistant director.

“I like my role a lot,” Kramer said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun. I basically just say the lines when people aren’t there to say their lines. And I help out the directors.”

On Wednesday, Onyeaghala, Cole and Kramer were in the music room with a dozen students cast as skunks. All of them followed MCT director Carly Weldy’s lead.

“We learned the beginning, we learned the middle and now we’re going to learn the finale,” Weldy said. “Do you know a finale is?”

One of the students raised her hand and told the director that it meant, ‘the end.’ Weldy complimented her and quickly moved on to teaching the rest of the upbeat song. She slapped her leg to keep perfect rhythm.

“When I point to myself, I say something,” Weldy said. “When I point to you, you repeat it. Thumbs up if you get it?”

Kramer said she thought the process was going really well.

“The skunks are really quick learners,” she said. “(During the performances) these guys are going to be so cute in skunk costumes and face paint.”

The “Little Stinkers” include: Drake Brockberg, Alex Dunn, Rose Lanoue, Kimberly Lenz, Beau Meier, Brylee Peterson, Addie Pieper, Aubri Reinhart, Titus Schotzko, Jett Thomsen, Adeline Webb, Aria Williamson and Addison Naber.

Prince John, played by Simon Lanoue, tries to remain calm as the Sheriff of Nottingham — portrayed by Lauren Wherry — along with the Guards and Horsemen, continue to botch the arrest of Robin Hood.

The Guards are represented by Ben Brandl, Wyatt Brockberg, Mady Carrow, Nolan Deutz, Drew Dunn, Alex Franson, Aidan Reinhart and Brennen Thooft. Kathryn Coudron, Nora Holmgren, Jayden Knutson and Isabelle Lenz are the four Horsemen.

Foresters include: Natalie Brandl, Bella Brockberg, Brooklyn Debbaut, Emerson DeMuth, Liam Deutz, Brynlee Dieken, Wyatt Dorschner, Finley Pelz, Clara Purrington and Kaitlyn Soupir.

The Aristocrats are portrayed by Cole Condezo, Annabel Coudron, Austin Coudron, Peyton, Brianna Foley and Uchenna Onyeaghala.

Nnenna Onyeaghala’s role is also as assistant director.

Eleven students make up the Merry Band, which are really “out of work” singers, actors, dancers, comedians, mimes and jugglers. Band members include: Joshua Bauer, Brady Brandl, Elizabeth Coudron, Noah Coudron, Delaney Dieken, Hudson Dieken, Alayna Gruhot, Alissa Moen, Karsten Springborg, Brayden Thooft and Lydia Weverka.

Robin Hood performance times are 7 p.m. today and 1 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at Holy Redeemer School.