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A Classic Returns to Hip Pocket Theatre
Hip Pocket Theatre’s 46th season ends with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow beginning Sept. 30 and running five weekends at its amphitheater under the Texas stars at 1950 Silver Creek Dr. in Fort Worth.
Performances are at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30 and tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website.
The classic American fable written by Washington Irving has been reimagined through the eyes of Hip Pocket’s own Johnny Simons, consulting artistic director. Composer Joe Rogers adds whimsy and delight by incorporating his diverse musical stylings to this adaptation. Rogers, Antonia Valdez and Eddie Dunlap will perform the music live. While the story’s core remains true to Irving’s original work, the collaboration of Simons and Rogers puts a magical musical spin on this family-friendly production in a way that only Hip Pocket Theatre could do.
photo credit:: Shannon Atkinson Cahoon
The cast of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow features Grainger Esch as Ichabod Crane, Nathan Saul as Nicholas Pickle, Peggy Bott Kirby as Dame vanTassel, Lauren Riley as Katrina vanTassel, Damek Salazar as Brom Bones, Tyler Dorney as Hans van Ripper, Gary Payne as Baltus vanTassel and an ensemble comprised of Marcos Barrow, Jozy Camp, Ron Fernandez, Kristi Ramos Toler and Rebo Salazar.
Directed by JoAnn Gracey, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow marks Gracey’s return to Hip Pocket Theatre this season as director. “Being asked to direct, I figured my familiarity with the story would give me a head start,” Gracey shared. “I was surprised to find the adaptation was a musical.” Comparing this production to Irving’s tale, Gracey added, “I believe we’ve kept the spookiness of the original while adding a little Hip Pocket twist.”
JoAnn Gracey is an actor and director whose credits at Hip Pocket include adapting and directing Baby Snooks (2019) and directing Thrive (2018), as well as appearances on stage in Mr. Weaver’s Backyard Circus presents Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Tempest, Luke of the Lake, Will of the Woods and A Fragile Dance of Elders into the Great Beyond. She also has stage-managed numerous shows for Hip Pocket.
photo credit: Shannon Atkinson Cahoon
Composer Joe Rogers is a native of Fort Worth and a longtime contributor to Hip Pocket and the surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth theatre community. A graduate of the University of North Texas, Rogers is a world-renowned composer, having over a thousand song titles to his credit. For more than 20 years, Rogers served as the musical director at Jubilee Theatre. In 2008 his accomplishments earned him the Elston Brooks Lifetime Achievement Award from the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County.
Scenic design is by Megan Beddingfield; costume design is by Sarah Green; lighting design is by Nikki DeShea Smith; and the stage manager is Crystal Todd. Please visit the Hip Pocket website for more information about Gracey, Rogers and the cast and crew.
Adult tickets are $25 on Fridays and Saturdays and $20 on Sundays, with reduced prices for seniors, military, teachers, students and children 12 and under. Tickets are available online on the Hip Pocket website. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. and performances are at 8:15 p.m. There is no late seating.
The Hip Café in The BackYard opens at 7 p.m. and offers beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks for purchase before or after the show. A French Country Picnic is also available for $25 with advanced reservations (reserve by 11 p.m. the night before the performance) and is available Friday and Saturday nights only. Purchase online or by calling 817-246-9775. No outside food or beverages are permitted. Live music in The BackYard begins at 7 p.m. and follows the performance.
