Crawfordsville High School students rehearse for their play �The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,� which begins at 7 p.m. Friday.
For more than 200 years, the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman has thrilled and delighted audiences of all ages.
Beginning Friday night at Crawfordsville High School, this same tale will be presented by nearly 75 of the corporation's student tech crew members and actors, as young as 8 months and as tall as 7 feet.
The Sleepy Hollow legend was made popular by Washington Irving; however, it is believed that the legend may be based on a German folk tale written by Karl Musaus (1735-1787). Musaus introduced the image of the headless horseman, who has since been written about in numerous stories, books, plays, operas, movies and TV shows.
Paula Kochert, CHS' assistant theater/musical director and Athenian Theatrical Society Troupe Director, has adapted the classic Irving story to accommodate parts for all students who auditioned. All the beloved characters remain, she said, including the goofy school teacher, Ichabod Crane (played by Sam Vaught), the lovely Katrina Van Tassel (played by newcomer Kaytee Worm), Ichabod's rival Brom Bones (portrayed by senior Shane Brown), and, of course, the Headless Horseman, played by 7-foot-tall Ben Gregory. There is also a dog in the show - his name is Petie.
With its mixture of suspense and comedy, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is exciting family entertainment.
The actors, some of whom are the younger children of the corporation's faculty members, have been rehearsing since September. Kochert made many of the costumes, with much help from an Amish girl who lives near her parents. Many of the female actors will be donning traditional Dutch-Amish patterns for the performance.
If the show itself is not enough persuasion, there will also be refreshments afterward, which are included in the ticket price.
Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Audience members will also be able to participate in games after the show and meet the cast in costume. For more information, call 362-2340.
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