Spooky comedy with LLT’s
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

By Belinda Ramon

With the look of a professional traveling troupe, Beto Chavarria and his talented cast of local actors have treated the community to a fiendishly fresh interpretation of Washington Irving’s classic ghostly tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
During the last weekend of October, the Laredo Little Theatre presented the story of Ichabod Crane (Gil Martinez), the new schoolmaster to the town of Sleepy Hollow. The highly-educated yet superstitious bachelor begins courting Katarina (Audre Marie Esparza). However, Brom Bones (Eusabio Garza, Jr.) also has eyes for Katarina and fills Ichabod’s head with stories of a headless horseman -- the spirit of a soldier whose head was decapitated by a cannon ball during the time of the American Revolution. The legend contends that the Headless Horseman gallops about the town of Sleepy Hollow. After a party, the schoolmaster mysteriously disappears, never to been seen again, and leaving Brom Bones to wed Katarina. The audience is also left to wonder the ultimate fate of Ichabod Crane, the mystery of which is the grand appeal of this story.
Gil Martinez played a funny Ichabod Crane. The local drama teacher was well cast for this role, which had the comical elements of a mixture of Danny Devito and Curly from the Three Stooges. Eusebio Garza, whose skills seem well-trained, played the arrogant prankster Brom Bones. Garza’s part was equally effective in the comedy bits which allowed for that convincing relationship between himself and Gil Martinez. Alberto Peña plays Washington, the narrator, and the Headless Horseman. Peña’s natural talent is both refreshing and sincere. His versatility should guarantee his continued return to the stage in a variety of roles. As Katarina, Audrey Marie Esparza’s craft adds to the ensemble’s comedic intentions, which we know depends on accurate timing. Esparza captures her share of the audience’s applause for her well-executed humor. Other players include Mario Davila (Irving), Sergio Martinez (Peter), Ashley Arechiga (Emily), Erika Martinez (Charlotte), and Ani Celisa Vera (Judith).
The show’s set was simple yet amazingly effective, keeping both the children and adults in awe. Clever, Little-Rascal-like special effects kept the audience entertained as much as the plot itself. Noteable features include the mechanical horse that Ichabod strolls about stage in. Another memorable moment towards the end of the play brings down the house in a chase scene portrayed in slow motion. It reminds the audience of Jim Carey’s slow-motion scene in Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.
Chavarria and his gang of ghouls have once again proven that Laredo’s talent is keeping drama alive in Laredo. They further prove that overlooking productions of the Laredo Little Theatre means that you are missing out on some quality entertainment and culture.