(Cover Photo: Paul Melendy of "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" by John Minigan playing at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through November 6, 2022. Photo by Nile Scott Studios)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724 

“The things one most tries to hide are often the things most easily seen” 

                                                                                                                                             - Ichabod Crane 

Greater Boston Stage Company  

Presents

"THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW"

WORLD PREMIERE!

Adapted from the story by Washington Irving by John Minigan

Part of the Don Fulton New Works Project.   

Directed by Weylin Symes

Starring: Paul Melendy*

*Member of Actors' Equity Association

Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street Stoneham, MA 02180 

Performances:

October 21, 2022 through November 6, 2022

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)

Reserve your tickets today!

Box Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays, noon to 6pm 

Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

Greater Boston Stage Company's "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" is one part fabulous fun and one part scary storytelling and all told in a thoroughly captivating 90 minutes and now playing in Stoneham through November 6. 

It would be difficult to watch a film like "Citizen Kane" when one already knows that, at the end, "Rosebud" was revealed to be a sled (for those of you who did NOT know this - whoops - "spoiler alert").

It is difficult for many to re-read a story or watch a play when, again, the outcome is already known.

In the case of "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW," it is assumed many reading this review are already aware of the Washington Irving story of the tragic fate suffered by early American schoolteacher Ichabod Crane (Paul Melendy).

So, when "SLEEPY HOLLOW" was first announced, I was a little skeptical of its success in its ability to tell the story in such a way that would enthrall an audience for a full 90 minutes.

I was so wrong. 

(Photo: Paul Melendy of "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" by John Minigan playing at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through November 6, 2022. Photo by Nile Scott Studios)

Written by John Minigan and directed by Weylin Symes, the one-man show is a marvelous new adaptation full of great humor and charismatic storytelling, all in the form of actor Paul Melendy.

Melendy not only tells the story, he bends, twists, contorts himself to become the spindly, lanky Crane and ably switches to other characters in the "SLEEPY HOLLOW" legendary tale.

While it may be argued that no actual person is deserving of living their entire life lonely, it cannot be argued that the fictional Ichabod Crane is a person truly deserving of being his own best solitary company.

Crane is an unmarried man with few prospects and, like most of the characters in the story, holds strong beliefs in the supernatural. 

Crane is a hardened schoolmaster to his students yet has a softened, unrequited love for a woman he tutors, heiress Katrina Van Tassel, and attempts to maneuver his way into the good graces of both her and her cantankerous, domineering father. 

(Photo: Paul Melendy of "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" by John Minigan playing at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through November 6, 2022. Photo by Nile Scott Studios)

Crane's unbelievable arrogance has him believing he might actually have a shot. 

However, as Crane seeks to court the lovely Katrina, he soon encounters a challenger for her affections in the form of boorish Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt who sits around a campfire nestling with Katrina and surrounded by his buddies.

It is actually "Brom Bones" who (in a voice by Melendy that is pure "Vinnie Barbarino" from "Welcome Back Kotter") regales all with the foreshadowing frightful fable of the "Headless Horseman" to Crane who, pathetically, tries to scoff at the tale.

Yet, of course, as with all the best ghost stories, when terror is mocked, terror retaliates...as it does for the buffoonish schoolmaster.

(Photo: Paul Melendy of "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" by John Minigan playing at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through November 6, 2022. Photo by Nile Scott Studios)

Lighting and sound cues are impeccably executed and the overall ambience of the show makes "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW" a fun Halloween night out. 

The set design by Katy Monthei is spooky enough that even the foreboding trees have limbs that seem sinister in nature, with "fingers" that appear ready to reach out and strangle Crane long before he learns of the fabled "Headless Horseman."

Through the triumvirate of Minigan, Symes and Melendy, there is a fascinating theory put forth which might provide a basis for a better understanding of how the Washington Irving story might have originated and how these characters may have come to believe in some of the "ghost stories" they told. 

In the end, it is Melendy who wins over the audience by being true to the source material and, not only thoroughly embodying the characters, he humanizes the subjects of the folklore, as well. 

Even the obtuse, oafish Ichabod Crane becomes a bit more of a sympathetic character than the legend has treated him over time...not much...but it is there, nonetheless. 

While perhaps some scenes might prove too intense for the very young, the heightened levity provided to the haunting narrative makes this a fun night out for the entire family. 

Just to be in the safe side, though - Some younger members of the audience may wish to hold tightly onto the hands of their accompanying adults, just so that the accompanying adults are not too frightened by "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW."

Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)  

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

A haunting and humorous new one-man show based on Washington Irving’s timeless ghost story. Starring Paul Melendy of The 39 Steps and Miss Holmes Returns. 

Written by John Minigan. 

Part of the Don Fulton New Works Project.  

ABOUT GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

We bring vibrant professional theatre and dramatic education beyond the boundaries of Boston, featuring world and regional premieres alongside fresh interpretations of familiar work. Within this setting, we uniquely foster the artists of tomorrow by providing ongoing performance and employment opportunities to our company of current and former students. Now in its 22nd Season of live theatre in Stoneham, MA, Greater Boston Stage Company produces five Mainstage shows, presents a series of Special Events, and runs year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through The Young Company for students in grades 1–12.

Box Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays, noon to 6pm 

Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

395 Main Street 

Stoneham, MA 02180 

greaterbostonstage.org