This year’s fall play, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, although delayed due to the mountain fire, captivated audiences with the spooky, eerie, and somewhat silly atmosphere on Buena’s stage. Originally a short story by classic American author Washington Irving, the story follows a swanky new schoolmaster and the events that unfold upon his arrival in the Dutch settlement of Sleepy Hollow. The play, performed Nov. 15-17, turned out to be a major success, not only in performance, but also in makeup, lighting, set design, props and soundtrack.
Set in the 1800’s, the protagonist Ichabod Crane, played by junior Chase Dykeman , quickly becomes a figure of public interest when he arrives in Sleepy Hollow as an attractive young school master from Connecticut, known around the town for his intellect, being well-read and even more notably, for his bachelor status.
Dykeman reflects on the demanding schedule they had to endure to prepare for the play. “We were at rehearsals four out of the five days a week,” Dykeman said, “[and] we were here on the weekends and over the break as well.”
Although only running one weekend due to the fire that shook Ventura the week prior, the cast put on the best show possible, putting their everything into the performance.
The chattering quieted, lights flickered and giggling voices echoed throughout the auditorium as Sleepy Hollow’s “gossips” welcomed the audience. With the pull of the curtains, fog rolled across the stage, engulfing the meticulously crafted trees and single pumpkin head center-stage.
The entire cast filled the scene in zombie-like makeup, opening the play with a haunting story of the headless horseman, an undead creature that roams the forest of Sleepy Hollow in search of his head, taking others in the process. The acting skills of the cast were on point, wearing their most spine-chilling expressions, in hopes to creep out the audience.
Junior Jack Fredericks (Brom Bones) talked of how he used method acting to make his character believable.
The cast was grateful to have junior Nairi Nahabedian’s mother, Bridget Nahabedian, who got access to amazing costumes that fit the time period completely. Along with the costumes came the fantastic makeup, skilfully done by Junior Olivia McGowan, elevating the impressive quality of the production.
As Ichabod Crane settles into the town of Sleepy Hollow, we learn of his daydreaming tendencies, charismatic personality and his minor obsession with food, which can sometimes get him into trouble. He often daydreamed during his lessons, losing his class’ attention and respect, in the process ultimately running into trouble with Parson van Pastor, played by junior Sullivan Small, who threatens Ichabod’s job.
The lighting of the production added to the wondrous and eerie tone produced throughout the show, and drew viewers deeper into the performance. The lighting and sound crew showcased their spotlight techniques and specific music to portray scenes that are slowed or frozen in time. They also use a specific red-pink light whenever Ichabod daydreams, to let the audience know that the characters are now far from reality.
Meanwhile, the once heartthrob of the town Brom Bones, played by junior Jack Fredericks, grows jealous of all of the attention Ichabod is drawing. Soon, the school master spies a beautiful dame, Katrina Van Tassel, played by Sophomore Kai Wyatt, and coincidentally Brom Bones’ lover. Ignoring Brom, Ichabod pursues Katrina immediately, hitting it off with her wealthy parents and showing Katrina that there is more than just her small town.
The cast’s chemistry and acting skills were wonderful, and it made each scene engaging in moments of romance, humor and creepiness.
“This cast is by far the easiest I have ever worked with,” Drama Director Molly Ensminger, said. “They are so well trained, so professional and prepared, they just know what to do,”
The atmosphere was complemented by the soundtrack, which was originally used in an adaptation done by Bethany Lutheran University. Ensminger reached out to the original composer and was able to get access to use for Buena, completing the play.
Back in Sleepy Hollow, Brom, now enraged, tries to frame Ichabod for witchcraft. However, he fails and is outcast by the town, leaving him to wallow in his new vengeful cloud.
Now on the back half of the play, our protagonist returns, riding his steed to the elusive Van Tassel party. At a peak of happiness in the night while the town told stories, the haunting story of the headless horseman was
revealed by a revengeful Brom, terrifying Ichabod.
Petrified, the schoolmaster flees on his horse through the forest and once again, eerie smoke fills the back of the stage. The audience was in silence. Ichabod quivered in fear as he sang his last rhyme and suddenly the crowd gasped as the headless horseman hurled his pumpkin head at our hero.
Although the play never confirmed the schoolmaster’s death, Sleepy Hollow was never the same after the passing of Ichabod Crane.
The blue curtains drew again with the bows of the cast and crew, the audience couldn’t help but hoot and holler. The attention to costuming and makeup, along with the detail in performance elements like the lighting and soundtrack made the show an instant hit. With an enthusiastic cast, and Ensminger running the show, although the fire delayed the show, the energy that went into this performance could never be extinguished.
