This past weekend we went to the Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Beaverton Civic Theater. I had been hesitant to take the littles the past few years as I have always thought of this as a scary story. But BCT has done this show for the past several years and they have consistently billed it as part of the Young Audiences theater programming. So I thought, what the heck, it’s only $5.
As good theater patrons, we arrived early to make sure we could use the restroom, get drinks, find our seats- all the necessities. We were pleasantly surprised to find craft projects awaiting us! There were materials to make a mask, a ghost (out of a paper plates and crepe paper), and binoculars. Very simple crafts, but the kids were drawn to it right away and had a lot of fun making them.
Once the show started, it was explained that the crafts the kids made would become interactive props for the show. They were taught when to hold up which craft, what sounds to make when, things like that. The kids were very excited.
I have to say, the show was not my favorite. The kids in the show were cute, Ichabod was funny- I mean, who doesn’t love an Ichabod Crane who does the Floss? The cast was clearly having fun and the kids in the audience loved the participation element. It was just that the story didn’t make much sense. And I still can’t figure out the ending. I don’t think I was alone, as there was a longer than typical pause before the applause, as though people didn’t realize it was over. The show was not scary at all and was very family friendly in its humor and content. But while I am a fan of exposing kids to rich vocabulary, I felt the vocabulary in the show was much higher than that of a typical child who would be coming to the show.
There were opportunities to meet the cast, take pictures with them, and get your program signed. As per usual, Nugget would only get signature from the men. I swear I’m working on that.
Overall, Chicken and Nugget were intrigued enough with the use of their props that they had a good time. When I asked Chicken what she thought, she said “I have no idea what they were talking about but it was a fun show.” That kind of summed it up for me, too.
What it is: a yearly Halloween show, appropriate for young children and families, unique in its use of crafting and use of said crafts for audience participation, funny, appropriate length for young children (about an hour)
What it is not: super easy to follow, completely comprehensible to very young children
Would we recommend it? Kind of. It’s a cute Halloween show. I don’t know that we will need to go again or make it a yearly tradition. But if you’re stuck inside on a rainy day and have $5 burning a hole in your pocket, it’s a creative way to spend an afternoon.
Look for future shows at http://www.beavertoncivictheatre.org/productions.html
Adventures with Chicken and Nugget 