This Halloween tale has been adapted for ‘Scooby Doo’ – and Lexington stage
Since “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was written in 1819, the story has been shared in book form, on screen, and even in a somewhat adaptive version on “Scooby Doo.”
And on stage.
Local playwright Christofer Cook turned the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” into a play, and the Lexington County Arts Association will present his version Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 27 through Nov. 5, plus a Halloween performance on Oct. 31, at Village Square Theatre.
“This production features an outstanding cast,” said Debra Leopard, director and artistic director at Village Square. “It’s very true to the original tale, set in 1795 with authentic language.
“It is a theatrical production featuring scary music, fog, zombies, ghosts, apparitions and, of course, the Headless Horseman.”
The story takes place in Sleepy Hollow, a town haunted by a headless man riding a horse. Ichabod Crane vies for the love of the town’s heiress, then mysteriously disappears after an encounter with the horseman.
Watching the classic ghost story on stage is a great way to celebrate Halloween. But before you go, perhaps you’d like to brush up on the story. After all, it may have been a few years since you saw the “Scooby Doo” version.
(If you’re feeling nostalgic, here’s the full-length episode. We’ll wait.)
Take this quiz, based on the original story, to refresh your memory.
1) Who wrote the original “Legend of Sleepy Hollow?”
A. Washington Irving.
B. Irving St. James.
C. Walt Whitman.
D. Charles Dickens.
2) What other well-known tale was one of the short stories in the collection that included “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?”
A. “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
B. “Frankenstein.”
C. “Rip Van Winkle.”
D. “Dracula.”
3) “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” takes place in which state?
A. South Carolina.
B. New York.
C. Massachusetts.
D. Nebraska.
4) What was Ichabod Crane’s job?
A. Minister.
B. Farmer.
C. Blacksmith.
D. Schoolmaster.
5) Who is the Headless Horseman?
A. The Galloping Hessian, who lost his head during a nameless battle during the Revolutionary War.
B. The Playboy Prince, who lost his head via guillotine when villagers found out he was really royalty.
C. The Riding Yankee, who lost his head during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War.
D. Jinxed Jim, whose head was severed when an angry husband caught Jim with his wife.
6) What was the name of the horse Ichabod rode?
A. Bullet.
B. Gunpowder.
C. Magic.
D. Seabiscuit.
7) What was the name of the heiress Ichabod was smitten with?
A. Abby.
B. Hannah.
C. Rebecca.
D. Katrina.
8) What did the Headless Horseman do when Ichabod turned around?
A. Threw his head.
B. Laughed.
C. Offered him a beer.
D. Disappeared.
9) What mood was Ichabod in when he left the party before encountering the Headless Horseman?
A. Happy.
B. Sad.
C. Mad.
D. Drunk.
10) What was found at the spot where Ichabod disappeared?
A. Brom Bones’ handkerchief.
B. The horseman’s cape.
C. Ichabod’s hat and a pumpkin.
D. Hans Van Ripper’s Sunday saddle.
Scroll to the bottom for answers.
If you go
Christopher Cook’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27-28, Oct. 31, and Nov. 3-4; 3 p.m. Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.
WHERE: Village Square Theatre, 105 Caughman Road, Lexington.
TICKETS: $18, adults; $16, military, seniors, and students; $14, youth at www.villagesquaretheatre.com.
WORTH NOTING: The theater warns viewers that the play’s frightening nature may make it unsuitable for young children.
Answers
1 and 2) A and C. Washington Irving wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” two of the best-known stories included in his collection, “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” (He wrote it under the pen name Geoffrey Crayon.)
3) B, New York. The fictional Sleepy Hollow was actually based on the real North Tarrytown, which in 1996 officially became Sleepy Hollow.
4) D, schoolmaster. Ichabod Crane came to Sleepy Hollow from Connecticut. He taught singing as well.
5) A, the Galloping Hessian. Irving reveals that the ghost’s real name is the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow before Ichabod is introduced. But on several occasions, the Headless Horseman is referred to as the Galloping Hessian. (If you chose “C,” you may need a history lesson: The story is set in 1795, and the Civil War was fought 1861-1865.)
6) B, Gunpowder. The horse belonged to Hans Van Ripper and was described as having a thin, concave neck with a hammer-like head, a rusty mane, one pupil-less eye and a knotted and tangled tail.
7) D, Katrina. Brom Bones was courting her too.
8) A, he threw his head at Ichabod.
9) B, Ichabod was “heavy hearted and crestfallen.” It seems maybe Katrina had been toying with his affections?
10) C, Ichabod’s hat and a shattered pumpkin. The horse had returned to Hans Van Ripper’s home, and the saddle was found on the road leading to the church. But all that was found near the church bridge was the hat and pumpkin. Brom Bones laughed at the mention of the shattered pumpkin, making some believe he may have been playing the role of the Headless Horseman on the night Ichabod disappeared.