Theater Review: 'The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow' by Pantochino Productions

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch Neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

“The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow” is the new deliciously snarky musical that has galloped to the stage of the Milford Arts Council. Pantochino Productions gives life to this rollicking original musical with a clever book by Bert Bernardi and music by Justin Rugg and lyrics by Bernardi. Performances are scheduled through Oct. 30, but tickets are limited.

The Pantochino website teases that these housewives “don’t like trouble unless they cause it! Washington Irving’s legend comes to life in this wickedly wild and hilarious musical about Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, Katrina Von Tassel and the real housewives who yearn to bring them all down.”

Bernardi directs this funny take on the Sleepy Hollow legend, a mashup of the 1820 short story by American author Washington Irving and plenty of very topical humor that winks at the “Real Housewives” franchise. So the costumes and wigs by Jimmy Johansmeyer are firmly set in Sleepy Hollow, but the jokes, the language, and the props are contemporary. The creative mind of the playwright once again keeps the audience laughing along with the silliness. There is a bit of bawdy humor, but there is very little spookiness to scare those of trick-or-treat age.

Musical highlights include The Housewives’ credo “I’m Not the Enemy,” the power number “Another Drink,” and “The Scheme.” The second act includes a funny series of “cryptic monologues.”

Catharina Coevorden, the innkeeper of Franklin House, is played by the talented Rachelle Ianniello (“A Lad in Manhattan.”) She gets to wear the beautiful gown that blends pink and green fabrics. Shelley Marsh Poggio, in her 40th Pantochino production, brings her priceless expressions to the role of Gerda De Graff, the housewife who never passes up a cocktail and is the self-proclaimed “eyes, ears, nose and throat” of the town.

Maria Berte (“Tiaras Over Teaneck”) portrays the housewife Heidi Hendriksen, the rich wife of a farmer. Berte is a high school choir teacher by day. Mary Mannix (“What Now Voyager”) again travels from Killingworth to take to the MAC stage, this time to play Johanna Jenssen, the housewife who is a fashion maven.

Chelsea Dacey makes her Pantochino debut as the beautiful, vapid and dimwitted Katarina Van Tassel (who sings a self-titled number and the “Dear diary” number “I Can’t Help It”) dressed in a lovely gold gown.

Johansmeyer, who has two Connecticut Critics Circle acting nominations to his credit, gets to play the “skuel” teacher Ichabod Crane, the tall, thin schoolmaster from Connecticut, in a beautifully crafted turquoise suit. He also sings a self-titled musical number with the company. The gifted costumer teaches at the Regional Center for the Arts in Trumbull.

Valerie Loomis plays the supporting role of Miss Sally, decked out in black. Killian Meehan returns to Pantochino to play the dashing Brom Bones, a strong and confident resident of the area who has an eye for Katarina. Rugg takes to the stage to play the wealthy father of Katarina, Balthus Van Tassel.

Johansmeyer’s costumes are beautifully designed and executed, with lush and colorful fabrics and perfectly styled wigs for all. I learned that the housewives’ skirts are supported by “bustle cages,” a look that the actresses maneuver well onstage.

The set is designed by Von Del Mar and is a mix of vintage and modern. Bernardi and Johansmeyer serve as co-producers of the show, with Rugg as the resident musical director. Jennifer Johnson is the stage manager and Don Poggio serves as the technical director, with lighting by Jakob Kelsey. I was not a fan of the bright lights that were directed at the audience, blinding us at times. Sound by Tyler Kittleman worked very well. Those contemporary props were collected by Robin Fitzgerald and Martha Becker is credited as the costume assistant.

"The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow" runs at Milford Arts Council, the MAC for nine performances only. This musical is performed cabaret style inviting audiences to bring their own snacks and 'drinks' to enjoy during the performance. The concession stand is open for water, soft drinks, chips and sweets. They do not sell any adult beverages (but you are welcome to bring’m!)

Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. Free parking is available in all train depot lots at showtime. Doors open 45 minutes prior to performance. Try to grab a seat now at pantochino.com.

All photos by Paula Meehan