Stage Review: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Presented By: Centerstage Theatre
Show Run: October 2nd, 2026- October 25th, 2026
Date Reviewed: October 18th, 2026
Run Time: 2 Hours (15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Breanne Jensen
There is nothing I love more than Fall and all the spooky activities that we get to enjoy during the season. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a classic spooky tale about the headless horseman and how he came to be. Part of this story’s long-lasting curiosity is that the audience/reader (originally a book) is left to imagine how the story ends and what exactly happened to Ichabod Crane, the man who encountered the horseman and was never seen or heard from again! Centerstage did an incredible job of bringing suspense, thrill and a bit of scare to my crisp Fall afternoon trip to Sleepy Hollow.
Ichabod Crane is a teacher who just made home in a tiny village in which the infamous legend lies. Whilst there he encounters many town characters, some of which are highly enthusiastic with his new presence and others that aren’t so fond. To settle in, he makes romantic strides towards the town’s “it girl” making more enemies than friends, which ultimately costs him his life, or does it? The show opens with a narrator of sorts telling the audience what to expect and how we got here, so to speak.
Draped in tapestries and dusty cloths, the room almost appears to have been long abandoned. The set (designed by Niclas Olson) is comprised of wooden fencelike structures, lots of fog and mist and scattered vintage furniture. With so many furniture options, they are able to become different scenes, locations and sometimes even pathways. The mixture of wood, vintage furniture, fog and highly intentional lighting lends to creating a romantic, gothic menacing atmosphere that immerses you in the story as if you’re stepping into a chapter book. The light design (Niclas Olson) was so beautifully done, it felt like an old movie before color pictures. Everything was elaborate yet simplistic marrying into the perfect pair. The special effects; flying objects in, scrim use and lighting, created those classic spooky jump scare moments that left me saying, “wow!” and I can imagine how impactful and grandiose these effects must bewilder younger viewers new to the stage, (in fact I got to hear a cute and sassy probably 8–10-year-old girl and her thoughts behind me in real time!)
The horse component is an element I am choosing to not elaborate on, as to not spoil the surprise(s), but let’s just say, when I saw “the” moment, my eyes and mouth were equally as wide! The scene, effects, construction and painting (Bruce Haasl) are truly astounding, and it will be a moment I will forever remember and hope to create something that makes others feel that amazement one day!
The costumes (From the Closet Costumes/Kristin Haskins) also added a fun element that wasn’t just era appropriate and delightful to look at all, but costumes that allowed each actor (except two or so) to play a plethora of roles! The sound design(Bethany Bevier) had to be my favorite part of this production! Spanning from the sweeping of the horseman’s head, the creaking of a door opening, horse hooves slowly clomping towards us, the hardcore rock music when Ichabod’s students act up and even some of the actor’s sing a ditty and play an instrument. In a show not focused on music or sound, the sound was as if I was watching an audio book come to life. In the same vein, there are some fun musical moments (direction by Daniel Wolfert) and clean, precise, professional choreography (Ashley Roy) that are a lighthearted break from our haunted material. Wonderful job to the stage management team (Dean Marshall & Ashlyn Bagocius) and props design (J wheeler) both departments elevated this production and would’ve been impossible without you! The Direction was truly spectacular and on par with professional theatre and how meticulous every detail was thought out, perfected and executed. Each element was truly gliding without any hiccup or even line fumble from scene to scene. The effortlessness led to an anxious free viewing experience.
The show is comprised of a mere ten actors, most of which play multiple parts! Two of the stand outs are Ellie Rogers (Rupert Van Brunt, Old Man) and Hannah Knight (Country girl, old man) who wear many hats, literally and figuratively. Each character was even better than the next (Hannah I sat behind your fan club, and you have some friends who really love you!). McKenna Webb (Katrina Van Tassel) brings sugar, spice and sometimes not so nice to the village gem and shines the entire time. Webb brings a “Schmigadoon” comedic energy and all ofher lifts, singing, tricks and lines were polished and poised and I loved every second. Big Anderson (Geoffrey Crayon, etc) opens the show as a narrator of sorts with a pinch of professor, and a dash of aloof gentleman. Andreson truly is one of the area’s best and most versatile actors and while she can do it all, her acting always feels like an extra treat. Josh Wingerter (Brom Bones) executes the Gatson, burley man who loves the town gem with no stone left unturned or unpolished. Wingerter’s sophisticated style reflects his professional and impressive resume; his energy is infectious and his characterization beyond measure. Lastly, our leading man, myth, legend (see what I did there?) Ichabod Crane, brought to life and absurdity by Guy Taylor Simpsn III. Simpson stood out in the best way possible, he wasn’t like the others nor should he be. He created a character that was almost a mixture of Andy and Dwight from the television show, The Office in his manic humor, gullible nature and comedic timing that truly had me laugh out loud at every joke, facial expression, panic, terror, pun and even slight mannerisms. There are few people who are truly natural comedians and Simpson’s one of them, plus he can sing, act and dance (a bit of thanks goes to his lovely other half Ashley Roy, choreographer, on that last one)! Simpson’s ceiling is truly limitless in his talents, and I cannot wait to see what he is in next, because each project is refining his talents more and more!
This cast as an ensemble is truly unshakable! Individually each of them is tremendously talented and capable of being the lead in any show, and together, they are a unit that created such a unique, special, fun, unforgettable experience! The little girl sitting behind me said after the show that she was so mad, that she doesn’t know how the show ends but as her mother explained to her, not every story is that simple, and hearing a conversation between mother and daughter discussing art is truly the whole point isn’t it?
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Centerstage is fun, creative and festive fun for the entire family to experience together and no one who attends will regret spending the time deciphering their idea of what happened to Mr. Ichabod Crane. They run through the end of this weekend, do not miss this one!
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow runs on stage at Centerstage Theatre through October 25. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://centerstagetheatre.com/.
Photo credit: Colin Madison Photography
