'Robin Hood' Closing Early

'Robin Hood,' a dinner-theater production at the Red Forest restaurant, 7301 S. 900 East, will end its run this Saturday - two weeks earlier than planned. The musical-comedy, written by Buddy Youngreen, producer-director, and James Prigmore, composer, was originally scheduled to run until Aug. 30. But Mel Kraft, who has three roles in the family-oriented production, told the Deseret News on Monday that the restaurant owners have decided to close the show early. He hinted they were disappointed with the attendance during the early part of the week, although business has picked up about Thursday through Saturday.

"Robin Hood" opened June 12 and was expected to be the first in a series of original Youngreen-Prigmore musicals to be staged in what had formerly been the lounge section of the restaurant.

Kraft said he was unaware of future plans to move the dinner-theater venture elsewhere or if additional productions would be staged at the Red Forest at a later time.

"What happens next," he indicated, "is up to the restaurant."

Kraft said patrons who had planned to attend "Robin Hood" later this month should be aware that the production will he closing this Saturday instead of continuing until Aug 30.

The Youngreen-Prigmore enterprise differed from other dinner-theater operations in the past in the Salt Lake Valley. The Gaslight and Tiffany's Attic, both well known failures, featured big-name stars and dinner for one fixed price. At the Red Forest, however, the dinner and the play have been separate operations, with patrons having the option of dining and/or seeing the play. Also, dinner entrees are chosen from a regular restaurant menu instead of being buffet style.

"Robin Hood" will be staged tonight through Thursday at 8 p .m. and on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m (with dinner being served either before or after - so plan to arrive about an hour earlier for dinner prior to the show.) Reservations may be made by calling 566-0636.