Barter Players Closes THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, 11/13
The Barter Players are welcoming this fall with the hair-raising tale of a Headless Horseman. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" begins September 23 and runs through November 13 at Barter Stage II. Barter's own Resident Playwright Catherine Bush adapts the Washington Irving tale.
Bush said she begged Katy Brown (the children's company artistic director) to allow her to adapt Irving's tale for The Barter Players. "This story is so iconic and theatrical; it lends itself beautifully to the stage. It's also a great Halloween story. It's funny and scary, so it's perfect for kids of all ages."
While living in Manhattan, Bush visited Sleepy Hollow one Halloween. After seeing for herself the Old Dutch Church and the graveyard where the Van Tassels are buried, she felt a personal connection with the story.
Directed by Katie Becker ("My Imaginary Pirate"), "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" focuses on a village rumored to be haunted by the legendary Headless Horseman. This is unwelcome news to the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane (Bryan Pridgen), who is somewhat hapless and extremely superstitious. After vying for the attention of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel (MAndy Williams), Ichabod makes an enemy of her former suitor, Brom Bones (Jamal Crowelle). Brom vows revenge and one dark and spooky night, Ichabod finds himself in for the ride of his life!
Other Barter Players in the show are Justin Tyler Lewis, Ashlie Roberson and Kelli Winn.
Bush has also written many plays for Barter and other theatres across the country. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is her tenth play for The Barter Players. "Children are a much tougher audience to write for - they won't sit still for needless exposition. They are far smarter, perhaps even far more imaginative than us "grown-ups" could ever hope to be," Bush said.
"You have to create a world where every moment is filled with action and put it in 60 minutes. It's a daunting challenge but the payoff is enormous. Just watch the kids leaving Stage II. Check out their smiles as they meet the actors face-to-face. It's an honor to be even a small part of the The Barter Players experience."
A study guide for grades 4-12 is available at www.BarterTheatre.com for parents and teachers. Every Barter Theatre study guide correlates with Virginia SOLs, Tennessee TCAPS and North Carolina SCOSs.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is sponsored by Alpha Natural Resources, Blue Ridge PBS and The Armstrong Family. Barter Theatre is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Call Barter Theatre's Box Office at 276.628.3991 for tickets. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
