Darryl Maximilian Robinson Provides His 1980s Enchanted Hills Playhouse Press Story And Photo Scrapbook
"Darryl Maximilian Robinson is a perfectly delightful Fagin, playing the pickpocket with just the right combination of impertinence and compassion. Mr. Robinson is particularly well-cast because he, like the wily, lovable thief that he plays, obviously knows - and likes - his job." -- Bill Spurgeon, Enchanted Hills Playhouse batting 1,000 with 'Oliver,' The Mail-Journal of Syracuse, Indiana, July 8, 1981.
A 50-year-long stage veteran, who has worked as an actor, director, producer, designer, classics adaptor and private acting instructor, Chicago-born and theatre-trained artist, Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Founder, Artistic Director and Producer of both the multiracial chamber theatres, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project, is pleased and delighted to share 1980s press stories, reviews and photos from his work in professional summer stock theatre at The Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana.
Winner of numerous awards, nominations and other honors for his work in The Performing Arts including a both a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play and a 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Best Leading Actor In A Play for his critically-praised performance as Sam Semela in The ESC's revival of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And The Boys," a 1992 St. Louis / St. Charles, Missouri Area Certificate of Honourary Membership Award from The Sherlock Holmes Society, The Harpooners of the Sea Unicorn, for his staging and performance in the title role of Excaliber Productions, Ltd. mounting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Problem!," a 1998 WKKC Radio Chicago Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award for Outstanding Director of A Play for the ESC's 1997 staging of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot," a 2015 / 2016 Los Angeles Elate Season Ticket Holder Best Actor Award nomination for his portrayal of Ernest in Tad Mosel's "Impromptu" as part of an evening of one-act works entitled "Just 4 Fun," as well as a 2019 Broadwayworld Chicago Award nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for his critically-praised performance in the dual roles of The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright and The Mayor Thomas Sapsea in the 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago revival of Rupert Holmes' The Mystery of Edwin Drood," Darryl Maximilian Robinson earned his first public and professional theatre honor when he was named winner of the 1981 Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award as Outstanding Thespian of the Season for his debut year of performances at northern Indiana's Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse ( particularly for his critically-praised performance as Fagin in EHP's revival of Lionel Bart's classic musical "Oliver!" ).
In 1981, in addition to the part of Fagin in "Oliver!," Darryl Maximilian Robinson earned fine notices for his roles as Ali Hakim in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!," El Gallo in Tom Jones' and Harvey Schmidt's "The Fantasticks," Kit Carson in William Saroyan's "The Time of Your Life," Joe in Jerome Kern"s and Oscar Hammerstein's "Show Boat" and The First Gangster in Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate." He also appeared in the title role in EHP's Children's Theatre production of "The Pied Piper."
In 1984, during a well-received encore season at EHP, Darryl Maximilian Robinson earned further critical praise for his portrayals of such roles as The King of Siam in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I," Captain Hook in "Peter Pan," Colonel Pickering in Lerner and Lowe's "My Fair Lady," Mordred in Lerner and Lowe's "Camelot," Nazi Ernst Ludwig in Kander and Ebb's "Cabaret" and Jewish dentist Jan Dussell in Francis Goodrich's and Albert Hackett's Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play of "The Diary of Anne Frank."
During the 1984 EHP summer stock season, Darryl Maximilian Robinson also served as Assistant Director of Children's Theatre ( staging the musical for young audiences "Androcles and The Lion" ) and as Director of Mainstage Promotion.
Featured in this article are also photos of EHP's talented actors and skilled staff members Darryl Maximilian Robinson was very pleased and proud to work with.
In Spring of 1987, during the very last year that the beloved venue was under the ownership and operation of skilled Producing Director Jill M. Stover, Darryl Maximilian Robinson returned to work for Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana in a third and final limited engagement, but not as a Featured Performer in The Mainstage Season. Joined by talented fellow EHP Alum and professional actor Paul Gregory Nelson, Mr. Robinson served as EHP Spokesperson and Principal Instructor of "An EHP Theatre Workshop" which, during a two-week period, toured to several local public schools in The Greater Lake Wawasee area. And while teaching the basics of preparing for auditions, performing monologues and exponding acting career and training advice to interested and responsive students with the fine assistance of the skilled Mr. Gregory, Mr. Robinson had the memorable and enjoyable experience of giving his educational presentations to young people whom he had performed onstage with ( including the rambunctious Stephen and David Schmahl Brothers ) and many others who recalled seeing him in multiple shows at Enchanted Hills during his two earlier summer seasons on Lake Wawasee. THE 1987 EHP THEATRE WORKSHOP was a highly satisfying conclusion to his 1980s professional performing arts experiences with the northern Indiana theatre venue. More than 40 years later, Darryl Maximilian Robinson still has many fond memories of working at The Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana.
Most recently, Darryl Maximilian Robinson was named a winner of a 2022 Making The World Happening Award from Allevents.in for his numerous online theatre-related offerings during the early years of The Covid-19 pandemic.
