BY ASHLYN STONE: Special to The Pilot

The Pinecrest Players will be presenting “The Robber Bridegroom,” a bluegrass musical based on the book by Alfred Uhry, at the Robert E. Lee Auditorium on Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 4 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The Show is directed and choreographed by Adam Faw, the drama teacher at Pinecrest High School, with help from the musical director, Torin Wright and his student teacher Chris Hansen.

The musical features a live bluegrass band that incorporates the talents of Hewey Priest on the banjo, Danny Infantino on the rhythm guitar, Tony Harrison on bass, Marijo Brown on keyboard, and Patrick Scully on the fiddle.

“The Robber Bridegroom” is performed with a single set, which makes staging much more flexible and allows for more production possibilities. Saw horses and wooden boxes are used to make the set come alive for the audience.

The play is essentially about the wooing of Rosamund (Elizabeth Pigg), the young daughter of a local plantation owner in Rodney, Miss. Rosamund’s evil stepmother Salome (Julie Barrett), is intent on ridding herself of Rosamund for good. Jamie Lockhart (Kevin Peters), is a robber who eventually steals Rosamund for ransom, falling in love with her at the same time. Through many twists and turns in the plot, Jamie reverts from his thieving ways and becomes a wealthy businessman, with Rosamund as his wife.

This Southern fairy tale was originally a Broadway musical and won a Tony Award in 1977 for Barry Bostwick. Robert Waldman wrote the original music and the musical itself was adapted from the novella by Eudora Welty.

When asked why he chose this particular musical to direct, Faw says, “I chose The Robber Bridegroom because it is fun, high energy, and high spirited.”

Since all of the actors remain onstage for the duration of the musical, the cast becomes an ensemble that works together the entire time. The show also features square dancing and contra dancing to add to the bluegrass feel.

“It is a fun show for the audience and cast members alike,” says Torin Wright. “The music is bluegrass and the audience will appreciate that. Being a slapstick comedy, the production is lighthearted and very entertaining.”

For more information, please call Pinecrest High School at 692-6554.