New audio drama has ties to Rosebud

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Playwright Krista Marushy, who has close ties to the Rosebud theatre community, is putting a new spin on one of the world’s most familiar legends with The Lost Legend of Sherwood, a free immersive audio drama that asks audiences to reconsider the story of Robin Hood.

What if Robin Hood wasn’t the hero we’ve believed him to be for centuries?

That question sits at the heart of the hour-long listening experience, written by Marushy and co-produced by Fire Exit Theatre, Wheelhouse Sound, and Electric Creek Creative.

That connection gives The Lost Legend of Sherwood another local thread, linking the playwright with the theatre community just down the road in Rosebud, an area well known for its longstanding arts and performing arts scene.

Rather than following Robin Hood himself, the story is told through four voices, Maid Marion, Little John, Little John’s wife Molly, and the Sheriff of Nottingham as they reveal how the legend was created and who may have truly deserved the credit.

“I started wondering who the real Robin Hood was,” Marushy said. “What if it was someone who used that character as a mask and was really somebody else? I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and the stories we keep telling ourselves over centuries.”

Growing up in the 1990s, Marushy admits Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves became one of those unforgettable childhood memories. But instead of simply retelling a classic, she found herself asking why the story continues to resonate generation after generation.

“There have been hundreds of versions of Robin Hood,” she said. “I wanted to explore what is essential about that story and who the people were in the background that maybe played a bigger role while somebody else took the spotlight.”

Rather than focusing on battles and heroic feats, The Lost Legend of Sherwood explores themes of reconciliation, redemption and the complicated paths people take toward forgiveness.

“I hope people enjoy a good story,” Marushy said. “Ultimately, it’s about finding resolution for the people and the experiences that have caused you pain. There are difficult moments, but I hope listeners finish feeling hopeful and at peace.”

The production began life as a stage play before evolving into an audio drama.

“You don’t have to be in a forest,” she said. “You can listen while you’re walking, sitting on your couch or even trying to stay calm in traffic. It’s simply a chance to hear a story.”

Unlike a traditional audiobook or podcast, The Lost Legend of Sherwood is crafted as an immersive listening experience where sound becomes as important as the words themselves.

Layered with an original cinematic score, richly detailed sound design, and performances that place listeners in the heart of the story, the production encourages audiences to slow down and become part of the world unfolding around them.

Every rustling leaf, distant bird call, and whispered conversation is designed to blur the line between the listener’s surroundings and the forests of Sherwood, creating an experience that feels less like hearing a story and more like stepping inside one.

That immersive approach is intentional. 

Much of that atmosphere came together during post-production. Marushy credits director Heather Pattengale and sound designer Paul Zacharias of Wheelhouse Sound with transforming the script into a vivid audio experience.

“When I first heard what Paul was composing, I got really excited,” she said. “Then they took it away for two weeks and it came back complete. I was blown away by the care and nuance they brought to it.”

Although the project involved several organizations, Marushy says collaboration was remarkably seamless because everyone trusted each other’s expertise.

“We all got to play our part and then pass it on to the next person,” she said. “Watching everyone bring the story to life was incredibly rewarding.”

The audio drama is available exclusively for listening through Aug. 31. It is structured as a seasonal outdoor park walk, designed specifically for the local summer climate and offering listeners an opportunity to experience the story while exploring the outdoors.