Travel Through Time with SLEEPY HOLLOW – A MUSICAL TALE

Could time travel take you to the past? In a tale both spooky and hilarious, three modern day children in "Sleepy Hollow - A Musical Tale" get a Halloween trick they'll never forget at the old Crane house when they end up in 1790 in New Amsterdam, New York.

The time-traveling trio encounter Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, Katrina "Katie" Van Tassel and even the Headless Horseman of the Washington Irving story as they try to return to their own time.

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 17, 23 and 24 and 3 p.m. Sept. 18 and 25 at the Catherine A. Daly Theatre on the Avenue, 2656 Biddle Ave. in Wyandotte.

Director Kenny Konaszewski said he became interested in directing the show because it is not a youth or junior version of a script - it is a full production of a new musical that DAG is presenting with an under 18 cast, and it is not "dumbed down" for them in any way.

"They've all been treated like actors, and not as children," he said. "This is not a summer show. This is the opening to DAG's 2016 - 17 season."

Konaszewski said it is a relatively new show with a very different take on a classic story, which will be fun for audiences, with lots of added jokes and bits, with inside jokes for the adults in the house.

"Lots of embellishment to the script in terms of physical comedy," he said.

Konaszewski said he hopes audiences leave the show discussing whether time travel really is possible.

"We're going to do some stuff that will make the audience leave wondering and asking themselves if it happened or not," he said.

Jessalyn Sturm, 17, of Taylor plays Charlie, the leader of the three time traveling youth, her first leading role.

She said audiences will enjoy the classic tale, which adds a modern twist with the presence of the time-travelers.

"It's just very entertaining," Sturm said. "The music is very difficult, so the parents won't get bored, and it's a very easy show to understand, so the kids won't get bored, so it is good for all ages."

Lilyana Quiroga, 9, of Lincoln Park, said it is fun to play Amy, one of the time travelers. She thinks it might be possible that time travel does exist.

"There are many things that can be possible," she said. "Anything's possible."

Emily Braun, 16, of Allen Park, said her character, Katrina Van Tussel, doesn't really interact with the time travelers, but provide the romantic angle of the story, as she must choose between two suitors, Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones.

She said while most people know of the story, she tells them the play is a unique version, which will intrigue adults.

"It's cool because they know the story of 'Sleepy Hollow,' but it's more of a modern twist on it, with singing," Braun said.

Braun said she sings two duets in the show, and the songs and choreography throughout the show will keep children engaged.

Austin Charlebois, 16, of Wyandotte, said Ichabod Crane is very different from any character he has ever played before.

"He thinks harder about things than the normal person would, and he will get lost in his mind," he said. "He'll just be having a conversation with people one moment, and then with himself the other."

Charlebois said part of the show's appeal is it is different from a typical children's show with Disney princesses.

"It's just a different spin on things," he said. "The music is not exactly what you would expect from a show like this. It's got like a kind of jazzy feel to it."

He said the elements of time travel and his quirky character make his performance in this show unique.

"It's more of an individual experience, more than me acting with others," Charlebois said. "I am more acting toward the audience."

Others in the cast include Dresden Keding, 8, of Grosse Ile as Irving; Kayla Chavez, 16, of Allen Park as Trudy; and Josh Primeau oF Brownstown Township as Brom Bones.

Isabella Owens, Madison Ganzak and Elyana Cecil play Dutch Wives, while Gavin Deckert, Brendan Sidell and Dylan Seets play the Rustic Lads.

The 18th century children include Elaina Primeau as Abbey; Ava Abrahamson as Rose (Ben); Brayden Keding as Washington; and Audrey Hernandez as Sophie and Emily.

The 18th century featured ensemble includes Lily Steele as Phoebe; Camden Konarski as Lydia; Lacy Remisoski as Esther; Madison Konarski as Cornelia; Andrew Dmitruchina as Eli; and Annabelle Wright as Tabitha.

The child ensemble includes Nora Kalvins, Emily Teper, Emily Agulia, Kaitlyn Aguilia, Kayla Aguilia, Blake Berringer, Lydia Cuthbert, Samantha Breeze and Patrick Remisoski.

The adult ensemble includes Grace Ray, Jasmine Abernathy, Alexandria Reeves, Ella Ray, Kenzie Keller, Alexandria Berringer, Ryanne Berringer and Megan Delome.

Tickets are $16, with a $3 discount for students and seniors. To order, call 734-407-7020 or go to downriveractorsguild.net.

To post a comment, you must register and login.