Thursday, April 25, 2024
HEADLESS IN GRANBURY -- AGAIN: The legendary Headless Horseman returns to Granbury this year as "The Sleepy Hollow Experience," a Brian Clowdus production, will once again be in town.
The Headless Horseman will once again visit Granbury when the Sleepy Hollow Experience makes it return Sept. 22-Oct. 31 at the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Education Center.
Last year, The Sleepy Hollow Experience was one of the most sought-out Halloween events in all of Texas. Nationally renowned theatre producer Brian Clowdus and his team will be back with their immersive theatrical nightmare, taking visitors into the world of the most famous ghost story ever told as the audience becomes part of the action.
Clowdus said he created the production, which has been in performances across America for the past decade, as an homage to the original piece of literature "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
"I am a huge fan of all things spooky and think that there is nothing more iconic than the image of the Headless Horseman. I love taking a piece of historical literature and breathing new life into it," Clowdus said. "All of my work is experiential and puts the audience as the main character. The idea of audience members directly stepping into the story and being part of the action was always the ultimate goal."
Clowdus said over the past 10 years, the production has evolved and each venue has its own local flavor that makes it unique. Granbury is no exception and last year had over 5,000 tickets sold.
"To be honest, this is my favorite production to date. The people of Granbury and beyond are salt of the earth, and this community feels like a second home for me. If I didn't live in Florida, I would live in Granbury," Clowdus said.
The event, which lasts about an hour, is immersive with audience members on their feet following the actors from scene to scene, where at any moment the Horseman might be right behind you. With Broadway caliber production value, the show is an exciting event for the whole family.
In fact, Clowdus encourages audience members to make a complete evening out of the event by having dinner on the square, shopping in the boutiques, participating in the production and even staying overnight.
"This is a celebration of Granbury. We project another completely sold-out run," he said.
"We saw audience members from all over the country and we are over the moon to make this a new Granbury tradition," said Granbury Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Tammy Dooley. "Brian and his team are able to create the most incredible experiences highlighting the history and architecture of Granbury, and we couldn’t believe how they brought The Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center to life."
Dooley said, just like in 2021, "The Sleepy Hollow Experience is going to be a huge boom for the entire Granbury business community.
"We look forward to welcoming back residents and tourists from last year ready to experience this production again, and we look forward to welcoming new audience members as well," she said.
Dooley noted that while Granbury is a perfect fit for the show, the production is also a great fit for the city. After all, it made sense for a city already known for its Ghost Tours and annual Spooky Spectacle to add this to the menu. Plus, for years there have been rumors of the Langdon Center having a ghost or two roaming around.
"It was the perfect fit, the Langdon ground venues and the creativity of Brian Clowdus Productions. We were looking for something to attract visitors to Granbury for a multi-weekend experience. We knew it had to be exceptional and Sleepy Hollow fit all those requirements," Dooley said.
"We trusted Brian and knew he would make it magical. And he did. Every single person who experienced it commented how wonderful it was. And visitors are coming for the entire weekend to enjoy Sleepy Hollow and other Granbury attractions."
Clowdus said he knew right away after his first visit to the Granbury that he had to bring his show there.
"When I picked my jaw off the ground, I said this town is a set waiting for a production. The history and architecture is so rich, and the town has so many haunted stories already and was just screaming for a haunted production," he said.
"Tammy Dooley and her entire staff at Visit Granbury are behind the true magic though. When Tammy and I started touring locations in Granbury to be the home of 'The Sleepy Hollow Experience,' I knew immediately that Dora Lee Langdon was the place. I said 'Oh my word, there is a mansion, a courtyard, a pathway for a bridge and a church! It's as if the location was built for 'Sleepy Hollow!'"
Dooley encourages folks to get tickets as soon as possible as she expects even more tickets to sell this year – and they are limited. She recommends the VIP experience, which includes a private haunted indoor cocktail party experience with music and scares inside the mansion 30 minutes prior to the show (limited capacity).
General admission tickets are for the show only.
"I highly recommend everyone enjoy the VIP experience. It is a must do," she said.
Dooley said numerous restaurants and area businesses are offering "Sleepy Hollow" specials and discounts. That information is on the website visitgranbury.com. Also, if a business wants to participate, they simply need to contact Visit Granbury.
Dooley added that the success of "The Sleepy Hollow Experience" has prompted bringing in more Clowdus productions.
"'A Christmas Carol' will follow 'Sleepy Hollow.' And we are discussing a spring show," she said.
THE SLEEPY HOLLOW EXPERIENCE
Location: The Dora Lee Langdon Cultural & Educational Center Grounds, 308 E. Pearl St.
Show dates: Sept. 22-Oct. 31.
Show times: Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays-Sundays, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Tickets: VIP $99. General admission ranging from $34-$59, based on day and availability. VIP includes a private haunted indoor cocktail party experience with music and scares inside the mansion 30 minutes prior to the show (limited capacity) General admission is show only. Tickets are non-refundable without purchase of rain insurance for $5 per ticket. With rain insurance you will either get a refund or rescheduled to whatever show you can attend.
Details: BrianClowdus.com for tickets and additional information go to visitgranbury.com.
Note: The experience will be on your feet, walking with the actors through the different locations. It will be a one-hour event. It is family friendly immersive experience with music. Accessible to everyone. The terrain will be mostly flat grassy areas with no steps.
