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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Heimbuch/Ferguson)

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  10any gender (adult)

John Heimbuch, Jon Ferguson

This dynamic ensemble-based retelling of the famous Washington Irving short story is a spooktacular, crowd-pleasing theatrical event.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Heimbuch/Ferguson)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    10any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature), Mystery/Thriller, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

In the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow, stories of wonder and strangeness surround the legend of a mighty headless Hessian. When the humble schoolteacher Ichabod Crane vies for the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, the townsfolk might protest, but it is ultimately the Horseman who will decide Ichabod's fate.

History
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was originally commissioned and produced by the Jon Hassler Theater in 2010, under the direction of Jon Ferguson. It was further developed by Walking Shadow Theatre Company in 2013, also under the direction of Jon Ferguson.
Keywords
Performing Groups

ICHABOD CRANE – A Connecticut schoolteacher
GEOFFREY CRAYON – A New Yorker of distinction
BROM BONES – A roistering blade
KATRINA VAN TASSEL – A country coquette
BALTUS VAN TASSEL – A gentleman farmer
HANS VAN RIPPER – Another gentleman farmer
PARSON VAN HOUTEN – A man of faith
RUPERT VAN BRUNT – A spiteful schoolboy
GUNPOWDER – A weatherbeaten nag
OTTO VAN LANCKER – A willing believer
OLD BROUWER – A willful disbeliever
HORSEMAN – A headless Prussian mercenary
VILLAGERS
STUDENTS
COUNTRY GIRLS
SLEEPY HOLLOW BOYS
OLD MEN
A SKELETON

Casting Note: The play may be done with a cast of 10 or more. All casting is open to anyone, of any gender, as any gender.

The play may be done with a cast of 10 or more. The roles of Ichabod, Brom Bones, and Katrina should played by actors of the appropriate gender. All other roles may be played by anyone in the ensemble.

  • Time Period 18th Century, 19th Century
  • Setting

    The village of Sleepy Hollow, New York. Autumn 1801.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission, Play with Music, Puppetry
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“A lively blend of gothic terror and tongue-in-cheek humor that ably captures Irving’s story.” – Star Tribune

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of the most absorbing, entertaining shows you’re likely to see on stage this season.” – Vita.mn, Read More 

“It’s the details that make any story convincing, and this marvelous rendition of the Great American Halloween Story sure convinced me. Don’t miss it.” – Twin Cities Daily Planet, Read More 

“A lively blend of gothic terror and tongue-in-cheek humor that ably captures Irving’s story and demonstrates why it remains so compelling.” – Star Tribune, Read More

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a complete theatrical experience that is sure to please.” – Aisle Say-Twin Cities, Read More 

“Delightfully spooktacular and silly... it's inventive and creative storytelling, which I always applaud.” – Cherry and Spoon, Read More 

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

20 Plays & Musicals for Spooky Season
Annette Storckman
September 27, 2019

Videos

  • Trailer for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Walking Shadow Theatre Company youtube thumbnail

    Trailer for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Walking Shadow Theatre Company

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

John Heimbuch

John Heimbuch

John Heimbuch is the Artistic Director of Walking Shadow Theatre Company in Minneapolis.

His original full-length plays include William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead, A Midwinter Night’s Revel, The Transdimensional Couriers Union, S. Gunter Klaus and the Story Before, The Kin ...

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Jon Ferguson

Jon Ferguson

Jon Ferguson is from Durham in the Northeast of England. He trained at Middlesex University in London with leading physical theater practitioner John Wright. He has worked with leading theater companies and practitioners in the UK and US including Hoipolloi (UK), John Wright ...

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