The original Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

A modern-day Robin Hood plans to do the same with a twist - take from rural North Dakota and give it to New York.

Andy Jacobs, 24, a New England High School alumni and graduate of the American Musical Dramatic Academy of New York, is coming home this summer.

And he needs his fellow North Dakotans like never before, especially if they can act, sing or play a symphony instrument.

Jacobs has written a full-scale musical stage production called "The Legend of Robin Hood."

He's bringing a core of four actors, but he needs 26 more actors willing to be characters like the members of Robin Hood's band of outlaws known as his "Merry Men,"such as Friar Tuck and Little John, and a small orchestra in order to produce his musical here in North Dakota. It will be filmed, and the film reviewed in a competition in New York that could lead to a Broadway-scale production.

In New England, excitement is growing.

The town has a lot of talent, but it's expected that people from all over the region could want a part in professional, high quality production that's never been done before.

Not only is it a first for Jacobs, it's possibly the first time Robin Hood's story has been written for a stage musical.

Besides actors, some with solo quality voices, musicians are needed who can play cello, violin, timpani, flute and harp.

In New England, Jacobs is getting help from the New England Community Arts Committee.

Committee president Lewellyn Rustan said the whole project, from the beginning in New England, to the film showing in New York, is a rare opportunity for the area.

He said the standards of rehearsal will be exacting, and actors and musicians have to be available not only for two days of filming, but for two weekends of performances at the Dorothy Stickney Auditorium on the Dickinson State University campus in August.

And - just so no one is surprised - every actor will have to either be a natural redhead, or a dyed one.

Scheduled casting for both acting and musicians will begin June 2. Rehearsals will be held in New England until closer to the performances on the DSU campus.

Anyone who wants more information on the character casting or symphony parts can contact Rustan at irite@;ndsupernet.com or 579-4347; Jacobs at LegendofRobinHood@;gmail.com; or Michelle McCormack, of New England, at michellemc@;slopeelectric.coop or 563-4621.