Scene and Hurd’s new musical, Robyn Hood, includes plenty of choreographed fighting.

Although the Confluence Project has been dominating local art headlines lately, that doesn’t mean the Chippewa Valley art community has taken a rest. Karen Hurd, a major advocate for the project (so much so that she even changed the name of her production company from “Community Arts” to “Scene and Hurd”), has been diligently working on Robyn Hood, a musical adaptation of the beloved tale of Robin Hood and his merry band of heroes who “steal from the rich and give to the poor.” Over the past month-and-a-half, Hurd and the rest of the cast and crew have been rehearsing for the show’s Nov. 1 opener.

Hurd, of Fall Creek, has written numerous original scripts, including nine historical musicals based on the history of the Chippewa Valley and Wisconsin. “I want to bring in new work that is refreshing and appealing to both a younger generation as well as the old,” Hurd says. Although Robin Hood isn’t a new tale, Hurd adds that her original script offers an exciting new spin on the story. “I picked it because it was familiar, but I’m very excited, after going through rehearsals, to see what becomes of my work,” she says.

For this show, Hurd is teaming up with two UW-Eau Claire professors, F. Reed Brown and Kevin Gawley. They have signed on to be part of the production team, supplying the actors with both phenomenal technical experience and excellent fight choreography. The musical’s cast, crew, and orchestra totals more than 70 people.

Above: a sticky situation.

While Hurd wrote the lyrics for the songs herself she also enlisted the help of a former UWEC professor to compose the score. “I wrote every song to provoke thought,” Hurd says. “I believe that we all carry burdens and need to let go and relax sometimes.” Hurd mentioned several songs that she really enjoyed writing: “Watch Heart,” which is about watching and following your heart, as well as “Blinded.”

Hurd worked previously with the actor who plays Robyn Hood, Jacoby Matott. “When I worked with him a year ago I noticed how he worked and said, ‘He is Robyn Hood. He has the exact personality,’ ” Hurd says. She had also worked with Amelia Royce, who was cast as Maid Marian. “Amelia has amazing vocals,” Hurd adds. Most of the actors had to audition, but Hurd says she knew beforehand that these two specific actors would be the perfect fit. “While I was doing casting I watched them and just went ‘this person is perfect for this part,’ ” Hurd says about all of her actors.

Hurd is extremely passionate about this production (even going so far as to plan an archery tournament, which unfortunately wasn’t able to come to fruition), but she kept the play’s best secrets for the show. “I can’t even tell you my favorite part,” she says. “Let’s just say there is a huge surprise at the end when Robyn Hood rescues everyone, because of course Robyn Hood saves everyone. … He’s the hero of the people.”

Robyn Hood, presented by Scene and Hurd Productions • 7:30pm, Nov. 1-2, and 3pm, Nov. 3. • The State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St. • $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $8 for children • (715) 832-2787(ARTS) • www.EauClaireArts.com/calendar.