 Washington Irving's classic tale is perhaps the most popular American ghost story ever written. The infamous Headless Horseman, supposedly decapitated by a cannonball during the American Revolution, is decades later still galloping about the small, outwardly placid town of Sleepy Hollow.
When the highly educated, yet highly superstitious, Ichabod Crane (Stephen LaFata) arrives in town to teach the schoolchildren, the many tales of the Headless Horseman and other spirits said to inhabit Sleepy Hollow wreak havoc on his imagination. But that doesn't stop him from settling into the community, making friends, courting the lovely Katrina Van Tassel (Ashley Gardner), and consequently making enemies with her other admirers. Namely Brom Bones (Adam Brener), a young, handsome, arrogant prankster who also has eyes for Katrina. All of these elements come to a head, so to speak, on the night after a party at Katrina's home. Before the evening is through, Ichabod will disappear, never to be seen by the townsfolk again. His ultimate fate is forever unknown. But then, it is the mystery of his disappearance that has always been the most intriguing aspect of this dark legend. Both the story and the mystery surrounding it has received a fresh and thrilling new makeover by Writer/Composer/Director Heather Megill and the talented cast and crew at Encore Youth Theatre. The original short story has been embellished with more fully developed main characters, entertaining new characters, a beautiful and haunting musical score, and a new twist to the chilling climax. Possibly Heather's biggest single contribution to the myth was her addition of the enigmatic Woman in White (Karenssa LaGear). Mentioned briefly in the original Irving tale only as a young woman who froze to death and became merely one of many ghosts lurking about Sleepy Hollow, Heather deftly transforms her into the most tragic and mysterious character of the yarn. A cry in the wintry night apparently beckoned her into the forest where she was then chased by the evil specter. She was found the next day, frozen to death. Now the Woman in White is our narrator, but not in the typical sense. She is a ghost, still frightened and confused by the Headless Horseman whom she blames for her early death. Still terrified and now half-mad, she tries in vain to warn and save Ichabod from a similar fate. Karenssa's beautiful voice, imbued with a strong touch of otherworldliness, is mesmerizing in the introductory The Headless Horseman. She is joined by several other female ghosts, each one with a scarlet ribbon tied around their necks as if they, too, were victims of the Horseman. These solemn, melancholy spirits sadly watch the happenings in Sleepy Hollow unfold as if wanting to prevent, but powerless to stop, the inevitable events that will lead to the Headless Horseman taking yet another victim. Stephen LaFata plays that hapless victim with sensitivity as he courts Katrina and takes his young students under his wing, and with comedy as the intellectual who is easily frightened by the supernatural -- a fear that is only exasperated as the Woman in White repeatedly visits him with her ominous warnings. As Katrina Van Tassel, Ashley Gardner's lovely, operatic voice makes for both charming romantic serenades (Ichabod Reprise, Happiness) and hilarious condemnations of her pompous suitor Brom (Faith of Our Fathers/My Life). Portraying that pompous suitor is Adam Brener, whose outrageous arrogance is a hoot throughout, especially while singing Revenge when he and his gang plot the destruction of his romantic rival (while at the same time performing a hysterical little victory dance). The unusually strong ensemble of townsfolk impressed with their singing, dancing, and comedy. Just one of the standouts was Jeremy Jaureguy as Mr. Van Dyke for his melodramatic Sleepy Hollow number in which he relates to Ichabod the tale of the Woman in White and the Headless Horseman. And then, of course, there's Jacob Haren as young Jonathon, to whom Ichabod teaches the art of romance (Almost a Man) so that Jonathon may successfully woo Margaret Van Dyke (Amy Hypnarowski). With remarkable stage presence and poise, a strong singing voice, great lines, and an unbeatable grin, Jacob had the audience in the palm of his hand. The set design nicely recreates the setting of a simple, small-town life beset by the terrifying world of the supernatural. Especially notable features include the revolving center that is used for a variety of purposes and is turned by ensemble members pushing it around with poles in a very manual, 19th-century type manner that adds a period feel to the show. The horses that Ichabod and the Headless Horseman ride are very amusing with legs that revolve to create the illusion of a gallop or gait. Richard Hellstern created some dramatic lighting effects, especially in the Woman in White's opening scene and the climactic ending with Ichabod and the Horseman. The talented musicians played with excellent precision and were careful not to overpower the singers on stage. And lastly there is the musical score by Heather Megill (Making Ambrosia and Fate). Just having started on the music this past May, Heather was still cranking out the last pages of the composition during rehearsals. Despite the rush, there are few awkward parts in the score. Instead we are treated to melodies that range from the beautiful to the humorous to the haunting, replete with creative lyrics. These songs include the cleverly done Faith of Our Fathers/My Life where Brom intrudes on a singing church choir and ends up in a heated argument/duet with Katrina. The tune Ichabod works equally well as both the witty song the children sing about their teacher (similar in style to Annie's It's a Hard Knock Life) and later as a romantic ballad sung by Katrina of her new love. Happily, you can buy the CD of Heather's fantastic score sung by this outstanding cast at the play! Performances take place in the comfortable, medium-sized Avo Playhouse in Vista. Encore Youth Theatre, which brings together youth from ages 8 to 19, seeks to prepare them for a career in musical theatre, and it's obvious that the students are well on their way to such careers. Heather Megill's marvelous new musical is perfect for a youth production while being completely enjoyable for people of all ages -- an exceptional blending of mystery, suspense, and humor. And it is quite simply the most enjoyable version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow I've seen. So what ever happened to Ichabod? Was he killed and carried off by the Headless Horseman, or merely frightened out of town by his terrifying close encounter? Does the Headless Horseman truly exist, was he merely Brom in disguise, or was it all just the product of Ichabod's overactive imagination? Ah, but therein lies the great mystery, and the beauty, of this immortal ghost story. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Ichabod Crane: Stephen LaFata Katrina Van Tassel: Ashley Gardner Brom Bones: Adam Brener Woman in White: Karenssa LaGear Mr. Van Kinder: Theo Nicholson Mrs. Van Kinder: Brittany Sharkey Jonathon: Jacob Haren Mrs. Van Pelsen: Keeghan Gelrud Monty Van Pelsen: Brandin Evinger Rachel Van Pelsen: Deidre Haren Mr. Van Dyke: Jeremy Jaureguy Elsa Van Dyke: Whitney Fortmueller Anne Van Dyke: Becky Gleason Margaret Van Dyke: Amy Hypnarowski Mr. Van Tassel: Rusty Schmidt Mrs. Van Tassel: Melissa Graham Mr. Thomasson: Tom Macgum Quick Thomasson: Conor Ford Robert Thomasson: Jeff Jaureguy Emily Pierce (Guardian): Amber Hickey Dopey Pierce: Stevie Hypnarowski Brian Anderson: Corey Seiderman Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow: Carina Cure Elisabeth Gleason Angela Gleason Jennifer Griffiths Jenna Jaureguy Alisha Leone Anne Moyer Caitlyn Schock Horseman: Anne Moyer Director/Music/Choreographer: Heather Megill Assistant Director: Keith Gemmell Costumer: Robbin Jaureguy Assistant Costumer: Jenna Jaureguy Props Mistress: Nancy Brener House Manager: Christine LaFata Stage Manager: Keith Gemmell Assistant Stage Manager: Scott Howard Crew Chief: Ryan Hoyny Stage Apprentice: Harri Nicholson Technical Director: Carl Pinamonti, Jr. Lighting Design: Richard Hellstern Light Board Operator: Janette Dombrowski Follow Shots: RJ Givens and Daniel Shay Sound Design: Donald Megill Construction Foreman: Bill Fortmueller and Kevin Callais Musicians: Piano: Heather Megill Cello: Annie Vallely Bass: Chris Reba Percussion: Jonathan Braithwaite |