The Hollow

A Signature Theater presentation from the musical in one act with book by Hunter Promote, music and lyrics by Matt Conner, based on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. Directed by Matthew Gardiner.Katrina Van Tassel - Whitney BashorIchabod Crane - Mike LudwigPieter Claassen - Noah ChietThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow," that lengthy lasting slice of Americana, might be the building blocks of the serious new tuner put together by Hunter Promote and hang up to have an invigorating and romantic score by composer Matt Conner, who also composed the lyrics. Nonetheless its debut at Arlington, Va.Is Signature Theater is suffering from an inadequate book that grinds sluggishly with a formality. The Hollow" is among two musical commissions from Signature making their bows in turning repertory within grant within the Shen Family Foundation. The org supports emerging composers through Signature's 5 year-old American Musical Voices Project. That certain-acter takes protections while using 190 year-old Washington Irving classic, fine-tuning the story for dramatic effect getting a pivotal plot about religious fervor and intolerance. Superstition mixes with violence within the small Hudson River hamlet as heroes and villains stay with familiar stereotypes. The unseen headless horseman still terrorizes the townsfolk, oddly described by appear director Matt Rowe's changing hoof beats and Chris Lee's shadowy lighting. Conner ("Nevermore") provides roughly twelve traditional in most cases pleasing tunes together with a customary combination of rousing ensemble amounts and sincere solos and duets. A gifted cast is headed by Mike Ludwig as Ichabod Crane and Whitney Bashor as Katrina Van Tassel, Irving's "blooming lass of fresh 18." Bashor is superb as she envisions the miracles in the outdoors world in "Boston" and cuddles with tenor Ludwig in "Small Problems.Inch But along with some much-needed drama, "Hollow" would make the most of restored concentrate on shading of the numerous one-dimensional figures such as the constantly hysterical mother. Since it is, this simplistic opening version is likely to be better appropriate for youthful auds than grownups.Music direction by Gabriel Mangiante. Set, Derek McLane costumes, Kathleen Geldard lighting, Chris Lee appear, Matt Rowe orchestrations, Michael Morris. Opened up up, examined Sept. 10, 2011. Runs through March. 16. Running time: 1 hour 30 MIN.With: Evan Casey, Sherri L. Edelen, James Gardiner, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Margo Seilbert, Thomas Adrian Simpson, Russell Sunday, Harry A. Winter. Tunes: "Legend," "Invocation," "Be Not Scared,Inch "Possibly," "Blue," "As being a Father," "Small Problems,Inch "Nightmare," "Goodnight Prayer," "Requiem" Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com