THE SLEEPY HOLLOW EXPERIENCE Coming to Old Sturbridge Village in October

After three sold-out seasons in Atlanta, Georgia, Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) brings Serenbe Playhouse's The Sleepy Hollow Experience to the the living history museum this October. The immersive, outdoor theatrical performance is bound to become New England's newest Halloween tradition. Tickets to the public go on sale Thursday, July 28 at www.sleepyhollowosv.org.

Guests of The Sleepy Hollow Experience will be enthralled by this classic, spooky tale set in the 19th century - with all of the thrills, chills and laughs that keep Audience members on The Edge of their seats. The tale - originally written by Washington Irving and published in 1820 - revolves around the bumbling, awkward schoolteacher, Ichabod Crane, the coquettish Katrina Van Tassel, and Ichabod's brutish rival, Brom Bones. In this immersive, experiential adaptation, guests will be guided by roving minstrel storytellers through Old Sturbridge Village's countryside, while the Headless Horseman rushes about on live horseback and through the museum's historic Vermont covered bridge.

An hour and a half before the start of each show, guests may purchase libations, chowders and soups, snacks and sweets at Ichabod's Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village, as well as additional drinks and sweets during intermission.

Show dates and times for The Sleepy Hollow Experience at Old Sturbridge Village are October 11-16, 19-23 and 26-31, with performances Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at7:30 and 9:30 pm; and a Halloween performance on Monday, October 31 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35 for Friday and Saturday night performances and $30 for Wednesday,Thursday and Sunday performances, as well as shows on Tuesday, October 11 and Monday, October 31. The Sleepy Hollow Experience is performed outdoors - rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, a modified version of the show will take place in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater at the Village's Visitor Center. No refunds or exchanges.

"It's so exciting for me to see The Sleepy Hollow Experience get a new life in New England and at the region's largest and premier living history museum," says Brian Clowdus, President and Executive/Artistic Director of Brian Clowdus Experience. "When I first toured Old Sturbridge Village last fall, I couldn't have imagined in a million years a more perfect backdrop for the retelling of Washington Irving's 19th-century tale. As director, Old Sturbridge Village offers me so many unique opportunities to super-size the immersive nature of the show. Audience members are in for one spooky, fun-filled night."

Asked about bringing the production to OSV, James Donahue, President/CEO of Old Sturbridge Village said, "We believe this outdoor, theatrical adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow offers New Englanders a unique opportunity to experience Old Sturbridge Village in an entirely new and unexpected way. The production allows the museum to introduce a Halloween program that has both historical context and relevance to the region."

Darin Johnson, who serves as the Village's Senior Strategist and discovered the Serenbe Playhouse's production of The Sleepy Hollow Experience, says, "As a former performer and director, I have always believed that Old Sturbridge Village's historic campus is the perfect place to create immersive, theatrical experiences. The Sleepy Hollow Experience is an exciting experiment for the Village. If the production is a success, I'm confident the museum will look to bring elements of theater to both the Village's daytime and evening programming."

After seeing The Sleepy Hollow Experience in Atlanta last fall, Johnson was convinced it was a match for the museum, and invited Clowdus and his production team to visit Sturbridge. From there, it seemed a "no-brainer" to all involved that Old Sturbridge Village should host the production.

Appearing as Ichabod Crane and his love Katrina Van Tassel are Austin Tijerina and Shannon McCarren. Guiding guests through Ichabod's haunting tale are two storytellers played by Jessica De Maria and David Colston Corris. Leading the creative team is director Brian Clowdus with original scenic design by Adam Koch and Steven Royal, sound and lighting design by Bobby Johnston, and costume design by Erik Teague. All photos are credited to BreeAnne Clowdus. The media sponsor for the event is Worcester Magazine.

For more information about The Sleepy Hollow Experience at Old Sturbridge Village and to purchase tickets, visit www.sleepyhollowosv.org.

Photo credit: BreeAnne Clowdus

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