From Oct. 10 through 19, Gretna Theatre is showing “The Headless Horseman’s Revenge,” an immersive performance that will take audiences through the Mount Gretna community.
Written by PJ Griffith, the story starts when a teenage Iggy Crane accidentally unleashes an ancient spirit and the town is thrown into chaos. Guests will encounter cast members playing townspeople with their own stories and suspicions and will have to decide for themselves if the legend is real or a figment of the town’s imagination.
It “blends local folklore, supernatural suspense and a spine-tingling mystery,” according to a press release.
Michael O’Brien, producing artistic director at Gretna Theater, said the show highlights Mount Gretna’s charms.
“One of the most exciting things about Mount Gretna and the community itself is the beauty of the porches and the houses and the actual community itself,” he said. “So wanted to utilize it in an event where we can actually feature the community a bit more.”
He said “The Headless Horseman’s Revenge” required a lot of resident support as well. Actors will use the porches around the playhouse throughout each night’s shows.
It’s recommended for ages 10 and older. O’Brien described it as a “fun, spooky” adventure, but not scary.
Performances start at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 and last about an hour and 15 minutes. This means early shows are still happening when the next shows start.
“Logistically, we have to map everything out and everything needs to be timed out pretty well in order to do that,” O’Brien said.
He said when actors finish their part with one group, they jump back to the start to welcome the next group.
But these complicated shows aren’t new to Gretna Theatre. Casts have been performing interactive shows since 2021 with a story themed around Edgar Allan Poe called “Nevermore.”
Groups will have to walk and stand throughout the majority of the show, and there are no seats at each stop.
The event is rain or shine. If rain prevents parties from walking the normal route outside, the show is moved into the playhouse.
O’Brien said the indoor show would be slightly different because it had to be adapted to the stage, but audiences in the past enjoyed it anyway.
“We did this last year with ‘Nevermore’ and it was great,” he said. “Some people wanted to come back and see the other version after and they really enjoyed both because they were just a totally different deal.”
Tickets are available online with about 50 available for each timeslot. O’Brien said he recommends people purchase their tickets in advance.
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