The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Adapted from the story by Washington Irving by John Minigan. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes. Scenic Design by Kathy Monthei. Lighting Design by Corey Whittemore. Costume Design by Deirdre McCabe Gerrard. Sound Design by David Remedios. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company through November 6, 2022.
by Tom Boudrot
The Greater Boston Stage Company bills “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” as a ‘One-Man Show’ but the incredibly funny and talented Paul Melendy summons more characters than most shows put on stage for a large-scale production. I’m not just talking about Washington Irving’s Connecticut townsfolk – Ichabod Crane, Katrina Von Tassel, Brom Bones and others. But just imagine a cast that includes the likes of Jim Carrey, Mr. Bean, Don Knotts, Martin Short, Patrick McKenna and Sponge Bob SquarePants telling Washington Irving’s classic New England ghost story, and you’ll get a better picture of the night you have ahead of you when you visit the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham.
Mr. Melendy has been on the Boston acting scene for many years and you’ve probably already seen him in something without realizing it. Whether it’s a local TV commercial (remember the naked guy standing there in the Bernie and Phyl’s ad?), one of Ryan Landry’s hilarious Gold Dust Orphan’s productions, or one of your own company’s promotional videos. He’s usually the guy who makes you laugh out loud with his quirky take on whatever role he’s handed, and his comic timing is impeccable.
In this production, Melendy takes the solo spotlight and shines brightly, and you’ll find yourself marveling at the sheer stamina it takes to hold an audience in rapt attention for 90 minutes. There is never a down moment in the entire show, and the beads of sweat are visible halfway through a performance that includes multiple layers of heavy colonial costumes being quickly doffed and donned; physical pratfalls that at times look downright painful; and the exhausting slapstick comedy that leaves the audience breathless. Mr. Melendy is literally willing to suffer for his craft, and the effort pays off with a thoroughly entertaining performance.
Melendy’s command of the stage is such that, along with the many fictional characters, his own personality comes through as he interacts at random with the audience, playing off their gasps and laughter, or the random prop failure (A dejected “Oh crap…” as his tucked in napkin falls to the floor in the middle of a speech).
Part of the reason this production may be such a comfortable fit for him is that Melendy himself came up with the idea for this show. He pitched the plot to writer John Minigan, with whom he had worked with previously in “Noir Hamlet” (which was an EDGE Media Best of Boston Theater 2018 selection and a Boston Globe Critic’s Pick). Minigan was at first unsure, but he said he was hooked when he realized this classic early American literature, written not long after the signing of the Constitution, “was warning folks in a very young nation about the dangers of misinformation…I think we’re still in the midst of those dangers.” Scary indeed.
It’s fitting for the spooky month of October, but this tale is not just about a headless horseman. It begins as a romantic comedy with Melendy as Ichabod Crane, the bumbling protagonist at the heart of it. His quick character change to Miss Katrina Van Tassel, the object of Crane’s desire, will evoke memories of James Roday’s silly characters in the popular TV show, “Psyche”. His turns as a local bumpkin may remind some fans of the Patrick McKenna character from the Canadian sketch comedy offering, the Red Green Show (he plays Red’s goofy nephew). Melendy’s mercurial facial expressions, surprising voices and quick postural changes add up to the effect of a stage packed with personalities.
The production of the show is also top-notch. The sound-effects are excellent and perfectly in synch with Melendy’s actions (although a missed cue would undoubtedly become a chance for him to inject even more comedy). At one point during a spooky nighttime scene in the production, Surround Sound was used to good effect, as I heard a cawing crow flying from left to right overhead. The lighting was eerie and also perfectly timed for the lightning strikes.
While Mr. Melendy is certainly a local Boston theater star, Hollywood has already “discovered” him. Among his other national roles, he has worked with A-listers Jeremy Irons and Diane Keaton in “Love, Weddings & Other Disasters” (2020). That movie, like so many things in our lives affected by the pandemic, was released On-Demand rather than going to theaters. It may have been a stroke of luck to keep Melendy in our midst a little longer, but his talent and commitment may not keep him around for long. So catch him NOW while you can in this world premiere one-man show in Stoneham. It’s a delight! For tickets and information, go to: https://www.greaterbostonstage.org/shows-%20tickets/mainstage/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow/
