Improv Playhouse to perform 'The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow'
Improv Playhouse will perform the Washington Irving classic story "The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow" as a staged radio drama at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
The story has been adapted many times for stage and screen, most recently as a film with Johnny Depp and a loosely associated series canceled on Fox TV. David Stuart, executive producer at IP and the director of Sleepy Hollow, said he is very excited about this adaptation.
This radio drama adaptation staged at the Improv Playhouse Theater is an imaginative 60-minute performance (or radio-live-on-stage) adaptation of Washington Irving's famous short-story, perfect for Halloween. Stuart explains that "radio plays are easier to produce than traditional stage plays, because there are no sets other than the mock radio studio, minimal costuming and, generally, no memorization required. Our actors do wear wardrobe similar to 1940s radio acting ensembles."
Since this is a Halloween production, Stuart will produce the radio play, the cast, sound effects, and background music with full effect of fun and family friendly creepiness. These work the way movie music enhances spookiness or other emotional states.
"Our script dramatizes Irving's classic short story, bringing to life scenes and characters that were merely described in the original, including the one-room schoolhouse, the Van Tassel household, the country damsels, the townsfolk's ghost stories, singing-master Ichabod's terrible church choir, the quilting frolic, and the climatic chase by the Headless Horseman," Stuart said.
The treatment is spooky and funny, with a poetry duel, a rained-out pie-contest and several are-they-or-aren't-they dream sequences with the Horseman.
"As with our adaptations of Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' and Frank Capra's 'It's A Wonderful Life!,' the show is suitable for all audiences, yet performable by our terrific ensemble of actors. However, it is not dumbed-down for kiddies."
Stuart explained the script remains true to Washington Irving's short story, bringing plenty of authentic 1789 elements - from Major Andre, to Isaac Watts to Jonathan Edwards to Hudson Valley folk tales.
Improv Playhouse will also create a festive environment with treats and other fun surprises during the night of performances, including a costume contest. In addition to directing the performance, Stuart will play several roles. The rest of the cast includes other SAG-AFTRA actors beside Stuart with new and veteran ensemble members rounding out the cast.
Tickets cost $12.50 for adults and $5 for students in advance, and $15 for adults and $7.50 for students at the door. Visit www.improvplayhouse.com or call (847) 968-4529 for ticket orders. The theater is at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.