Review By Sara Fitzgerald, Front Row Reviewers
A drizzle of rain fell upon us on a gloomy night as we entered The Hive Collaborative Theater, nestled in Provo, Utah, to see Secrets of Sleepy Hollow, a new twist on a Halloween favorite. My daughter was amazed at the spooky atmosphere filled with pumpkins, dim candles, and ghosts. A black crow warned us of the creepy ghost story waiting for us. Inside the small theater, looming trees, mists, and eerie music swirled around us, creating a sense of anticipation.
The story is set in 1790 in Sleepy Hollow, amidst the Hudson Valley in New York, near the village of Tarry Town. It tells the tale of a skinny, lanky, extremely superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut, Ichabod Crane (Joel Ackerman). He is enchanted by the lovely but envied Katrina Van Tassel (Isabelle Purdie), the daughter of a wealthy farmer. However, she loves Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt (Drew Brown).
Woven within Ichabod’s story is not only the legend of the headless Horseman who haunts Sleepy Hollow but other ghosts, ghouls, and supernatural stories that the writer based on other history, legends, and folklore from the region. The Playwright Mahonri Stewart has taken inspiration from the basic outline from the classic story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (Irving published The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon in 1820, which contained the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow), but then expanded upon it. Stewart added new plot twists, deepened the characters (and created new characters not in the original story), and rode down other wild, wonderful paths of fear and fancy.
Secrets of Sleepy Hollow is strangely both a premiere of a new play and the 20th anniversary of the original play, Legends of Sleepy Hollow, originally directed by the late Christopher Clark, which premiered in 2004 at Utah Valley University. Stewart enjoyed the original version’s humor and whimsical side; however, he longed to revise it further and mine even deeper themes such as fear, superstition, and the power of pure imagination. He wanted the characters to be even more fully developed. Thus began his long process of recreating this spectacular new play, revising it to the point that he renamed it Secrets of Sleepy Hollow, which he calls a new play. This version even includes a new ending that will send chills up your spine, reminding you that evil lives among us.
Ackerman as Ichabod is simply wonderful. In an instant, I saw the goofy character from the Disney film. But there is far more to Ichabod and Ackerman squeezes every possible character development to this iconic character.
Drew Brown is the arrogant, dangerous Brom Bones and gives an enthralling performance with his passionate rants and mood swings. Brown plays Brom Bones as an explosive, over-the-top antagonist and does his character proud.
One of the questions raised in this play is, why is Ichabod so sought after by so many women? He is flirty, which can turn a girl’s head, right? Darci Ramirez, who plays Alice Hudson, one of the characters who is original to the play, is the practical Alice Hudson, a childhood friend pining for Ichabod Crane. She helps shed some light on why someone may fall in love with Ichabod Crane. Ramirez shines in her role, adding depth and aching longing for the awkward schoolmaster. I love the relationship between Alice and Ichabod.
Their relationship could have been so much more if Crane hadn’t been so charmed by the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, whom he loved since he visited Sleepy Hollow in childhood. Katrina, in this version, is not merely using Ichabod but seems attracted to Crane. Other women are also enamored with Crane, including the Goosen sisters (Christina Craven is Gwenevere Goosen, and Alisha Laidlaw is Gertrude Goosen) and Emma Hurst, who plays the fiery Brit, Katie Kidd. These three actors keep the story lively and fun. The three bounce off each other, keeping the play whimsical and magical.
All five of these women are attracted to Crane, and that is one of the questions Sleepy Hollow asks. Why? He’s so—different. However, even though Katrina has been interested in Brom, he’s a narcissist. Katrina finds Ichabod charming and refreshing compared to the egotistical Brom. But the play eventually moves beyond the funny flirting and delves into darker matters.
Keaton Drummond plays Johnny Hudson, who is Alice’s brother. Drummond adds charm, personality, and wit to the character, and his interaction with Ramirez is lovely and fun. They demonstrate all that can be good in a sibling relationship. Josh C. Bauer plays the dark and brooding Solomon Wagner. Bauer does a splendid job of making the audience uneasy about his character.
Adam M. Argyle plays Baltus Van Tassel. Argyle gives a remarkable performance as Katrina’s protective father. The tender relationship these two share is lovely and is a foil to darker characters and storylines. Argyle also serves as the Fight Choreographer and brings his years of experience with theatrical combat and scenes to this show. Argyle has earned awards at both local and national levels, and his expertise is obvious in Secrets of Sleepy Hollow.
Director Jason Purdie has created the perfect Halloween story with chills and thrills. Yet, this script demands far more, and Purdie’s nuanced treatment brings this piece to another level. He does a fantastic job bringing this insightful play to life. He has created a production that was true to the spirit of Irving’s original story while being innovative and unique.
Spooky shows require a talented technical crew and Secrets of Sleepy Hollow has the best crew. Stage Manager/Lighting Designer Sophie Agle delivered the perfect lighting for the ghastly tale of the headless horseman. Set designers Ken Agle, Davis Agle, and Aria Samia created a hauntingly beautiful set for Secrets of Sleepy Hollow. Costume Designer Andrea Henrie‘s splendid designs are authentic and marvelous. My favorite costume was Ichabod Crane’s. Henrie’s quirky version of Ichabod’s clothing is nothing short of remarkable.
The Hive Collaborative is a wonderful, cozy theater with easy parking, comfortable seats (open seating, come early to get your favorite spot), fun and affordable concessions, and lovely staff. My daughter and I loved this fresh new version of the beloved Sleepy Hollow story. The compelling characters and complicated love stories between the different characters, especially between Alice and Ichabod, bring a new and fresh understanding to the work. Stewart’s dramatization of the darker parts of the story, delving into the horrific elements of it in such a scary, delicious, and insightful forum, is powerful. Mahonri Stewart’s play is a masterpiece that will make your Halloween memorable. Don’t miss out on seeing this delicious treat, which will make you laugh and jump with fright.
The Hive Collaborative presents Legends of Sleepy Hollow, by Mahonri Stewart.
The Hive Collaborative, 290 W 600 S, Provo, UT 84601
October 17-November 2, 7:30 PM matinees at 2:00 PM Oct 26 and Nov 2, 2024
Tickets: $20 https://thehive.ticketleap.com/secrets-of-sleepy-hollow/
Not recommended for children under the age 13
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