The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre celebrates the month of October with Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” for three weekends, Oct. 17-Nov. 3.
This fun-filled rendition is written by Mary and Andrew Arnault and directed by Janette Gaines.
Sleepy Hollow hides in the high hills of New York. Many tales are told about this valley, but the most infamous story is about a man who rides horseback at night.
Legend has it, the man died many years ago during the American Revolutionary War from a gunshot that removed his head. When dusk sets and night falls, the man rises from his burial place, jumps on his horse and searches Sleepy Hollow for his severed head.
Near Sleepy Hollow is a village called Tarry Town. In this village is a small school, where outsider Ichabod Crane had just moved from Connecticut and was hired as a school teacher.
Among the ladies in Ichabod’s class, Katrina Van Tassel, catches his attention. She is the only daughter of a rich Dutch farmer. Ichabod sees the riches of Katrina’s farm and soon begins to seek out her love in hopes to gain her fortune. Katrina, however, happens to be in love with the town prankster, Brom Bones. She has hopes of their engagement in the future and uses Ichabod to make Brom straighten up.
Ichabod refuses to give up, but his persistent pursuit of Katrina finds him face-to-face with the superstitions that lurk in Sleepy Hollow.
The characters in this play each have their own agenda. Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy? Or is it fair to pick sides at all?
“The playwright keeps it true to Irving’s story, but she focuses on the lighthearted comedy within the mystery,” Director Janette Gaines said. “This is third time I have directed this production, and each time I feel as though the story could go either way.”
Gaines stressed that Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s top priority is maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.
“Each theater has their own little niche,” Gaines said. “We try to do shows that makes you feel good inside and have your spirits lifted by the time you leave.”
Shows run Thursdays through Saturdays starting at 7:30 p.m., with manatees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $17 general admission, $15 for students and seniors. Special group rates apply for parties of 15 or more. Select seat tickets must be purchased ahead of time by Oct. 12.
An interpreter will be provided for those who are deaf on Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010 or go online to www.jonesboroughtheatre.com.
