Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who take on the ruthless powers that be.
We reached out to Wesley Harmon, one of the incredible actors in this production to find out more about him and his experience working on this fun show!
How did you get into theatre?
As a kid, I was obsessed with the classic movie musicals of the 1950s and 60s; particularly “Hello Dolly,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” While I loved those musicals, it had never occurred to me that I could be a part of it all. On a whim, I auditioned for a children’s theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz” in eighth grade. I was cast as the cowardly lion, and I was hooked… probably for life. I kept myself busy with as many community theatre shows as I could back home in Virginia. Then in 2020, I enrolled at ETSU as a musical theatre student, and in 2021 I finally signed my first professional contract at Tweetsie Railroad. I’m proud to say I’m now a professional actor, with the iconic performances of Barbra Streisand and Julie Andrews to thank!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?
As a current resident of Boone, NC, I sadly don’t get to spend as much time in Burnsville as I would like. But with what little time I get, I love exploring downtown! Fill-More, Plott Hound Books, and The Book Cellar are just some of my favorite stops! And of course, you can’t forget breakfast at App Java or lunch at Munch Box!
What have you loved about working on this production?
The challenge of it all! I came with just over a week to learn the show, and it’s exhilarating! Not only do I have to find the unique characterizations of each of my ensemble roles, but I have the fight training as well! While my current day job has given me loads of training in hand-to-hand combat and theatrical firearms, this is the first time in a long while I’ve wielded a sword… let alone one almost as tall as I am!
What do you love about working with Parkway Playhouse?
The uniqueness of it all! I love how unique the space is, with the old production shots lining the walls and the gorgeous old amphitheater sitting parallel to the Playhouse, it gives me a sense of the stories and performances (and possibly ghosts!) that have filled this space for almost 80 years!
What is your favorite part of this show and why?
The pacing! This show moves a mile a minute… which most certainly leads to exhausted actors… but almost definitely means no bored audience members!
Biography
Wesley is excited to join the cast of Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood as part of his whirlwind summer of performing! Before Sherwood, Wesley toured Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary singing with the international award-winning choral group ETSU Chorale and returned to Parkway Playhouse (and America) in just enough time to join the cast for their last few rehearsals! By day, Wesley is a performer at Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC, and a rising senior at East Tennessee State University, where he majors in Musical Theatre. Past favorite roles include “Freddy and Others” in Parkway Playhouse’s recent production of Working: A Musical and “Matt” in the regional premiere of Straight White Men (ETSU), for which he was nominated for an Irene Ryan Performance Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. When Wesley isn’t performing, he proudly serves as the founder and creative director of The Wandflower Theatre, an untraditional theatre project in Galax, Virginia, now in its fifth year of performances.
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood is showing at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC. Grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/
Stage Whispers 