MONROE, CT — The town of Monroe just got scary with the Masuk Drama Departments and Monroe Historical Society’s site-specific production of Washington Irving’s tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
The grounds of the Eliot Beardsley Homestead (built 1760) will be turned into the town of Sleepy Hollow, NY for two evenings — and a not-so-scary afternoon. (In the event of inclement weather, the production will be moved indoors at Masuk).
This year Masuk Drama and Monroe Historical Society will partner up together to bring this event to the community.
“Cynthia Giancaspro and Karen Cardi contacted me during the summer saying they wanted to partner with Masuk High School. We met, and found that Halloween/fall would be the best time to present something on the Beardsley Homestead grounds,” Simonetti said.
“Site-specific theater has become a huge trend in the theater world, which is where much of my career has been. I also find this as a teaching moment for students to see how partnerships in the community also directly help and impact the arts.”
This comedic, yet terrifying production tells the story of the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow, where stories of wonder and strangeness surround the legend of a mighty headless Hessian. When the humble schoolteacher Ichabod Crane vies for the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, the townsfolk might protest, but it is ultimately the Horseman who will decide his fate.
Directed, and Designed Tom Simonetti (of Valley Shakespeare Festival). Maggie McShane serves as Assistant Director and Stage Management by Christopher Tierney. The show also features costumes by Anna Cretella and lighting by Robert Primorac and sound design by Bob Bachman. It was produced by Sharon Bartek.
“The students have worked hard in doing research on the time period, and other ghost stories of the period,” Bartek. “We also took a field trip to Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., to do research on the town itself. The town plays a huge part in this adaptation.”
The cast features Tristin Reeder as the school teacher Ichabod Crane, Jude Bailey as the ferocious Brom Bones and Erin Daly as their love interest, Katrina Van Tassell.
The cast is rounded out by Jonathan Fontana as Baltus Van Tassell, Jackie Cohen as Hans Van Ripper and Sana Sarr as Parson Van Houten. Jamie Grosso takes on the role of Gunpowder. The ensemble features Keegan Simons, Marissa Eichler, Audrey Lesko, Vibhuti Jani, Muriel Bailey, Madison Haughney, Ana de Carvalho, Maile Booth and Aaron Persico. Featured as Phantoms, who will entertain the audience in our frightening pre-show are Amanda Carroll, Isabelle “Izzy” Tiska and Nina Gomez.
And who will play the Headless Horseman? You will have to come to see if he is real or just a figment of your imagination.
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” written by John Heimbuch, created in collaboration with Jon Ferguson and based on the story by Washington Irving will play Friday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Eliot Beardsley Homestead, 31 Great Ring Road in Monroe, CT. Tickets can be purchased by calling 203-452-5823 or by visiting https://mhs.monroeps.org/.
Outstanding idea. Congrats and good luck to the cast and crew.
Homies spelt my name wrong
Hi Tristin, I made the correction. Thanks for bringing it to my attention 🙂
Proud of my great nephew Tristin! And oh by the way the Beardsley Homestead is my son’s great grandmother Beardsley family home. Small world.