The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Enchants Huntington Students

Hundreds of Huntington High School students experienced a real treat; a series of professional theatrical performances by Stages on the Sound of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

The performances played out over the course of a day on the small stage in the School Heritage Museum room at the high school. Crowds included every Huntington freshman as well as students in the high school’s Literary Fantasy and Creative Writing classes.

Stages on the Sound is a New York City-based ensemble of innovative professional theater artists who are also exceptional and inspiring teachers. These artists believe deeply that when audiences participate meaningfully in the performing arts they become better humans. Every Stages engagement, whether experienced live or brought to life through digital media, is intentional, interactive, and immersive.

“Our students were regaled and entertained by the actors as their lines led to and hinted at the reasons for the demise of the 19th century teacher Ichabod Crane; but this developing plot first incrementally exposed Ichabod and the other characters’ conflicts in the story,” said Joseph Leavy, Huntington UFSD chairman of humanities, 7-12.

“‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ by Washington Irving is a classic short story from the early 19th century, specifically during the Romantic era,” states an overview found on the Project Guttenberg website. “This tale is a blend of folklore and ghost story that takes place in the mythical village of Sleepy Hollow, where supernatural occurrences and local legends intertwine within a vividly described rural setting. The narrative centers on themes of love, rivalry and the collision of rational thought with superstition.

“The story primarily follows Ichabod Crane, a lanky schoolteacher who arrives in Sleepy Hollow to woo the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, daughter of a wealthy farmer. However, he is met with competition from the burly Brom Bones, who is equally determined to win her affections. As Ichabod navigates his way through local superstitions and his own fear of the supernatural, he ultimately encounters the infamous Headless Horseman during a fateful ride home. The story culminates in a climactic chase that leads to Ichabod's mysterious disappearance. Through entertaining characters and a blend of humor and horror, Irving crafts a story that remains a beloved part of American literature, exploring themes of ambition, jealousy, and the power of legend.”

“We were enthralled as the tension among the characters led to the uncertain ending and then we were all left to ourselves to unravel the plot on the next day,” said one of the Huntington freshmen who watched the performance.

“Scott Barrow, the inspiration, writer, teacher and director behind this endeavor has had a long history of working in and with Huntington UFSD,” Mr. Leavy said. “We welcome his esteemed residency back to us. The entire ninth grade class all welcomed his troupe this month and what a Halloween was as the pumpkin was hurled and the legend goes on . . .”

Stages on the Sound delivered winning performances. “Our students certainly experienced literature come to life,” Mr. Leavy said. “We are all still wondering; what did actually happen to Ichabod Crane?”