NH Theatre Factory to Present THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

The NH Theatre Factory continues the growth of its education branch, the Stage Setters Youth Program, with their inaugural production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, directed by NHTF's own Artistic Director, Joel Mercier. "After the success of last summer's professional youth training program, we realized we had to provide an outlet for our students to use the skills they've learned," remarks Mercier. "What better project for young performers to tackle than a famous piece of literature full of crazy characters and ghosts?" Sleepy Hollow is the story of an inane schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, who comes to the farming community of Sleepy Hollow. He's sure his dream of seeking a well-to-do wife will come true when he spots the striking Katrina Van Tassel, however, wooing her proves harder than planned when the boisterous Brom Bones discovers his intentions. Matters are complicated further when the most renowned phantom of all time, the Headless Horseman, emerges the night that Ichabod musters up the courage to cross through the haunted graveyard alone.

The NH Theatre Factory's Stage Setters Youth Program is proud to present the musical production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow featuring a cast of twenty-one young performers representing Manchester, Derry, Londonderry, Merrimack, Hooksett, Concord, Boscawen, Loudon, Bow, Contoocook, Sunapee, and even parts of Massachusetts. "Our cast includes both beginner and experienced actors who have come together to learn a craft and then apply it to the project at hand," says Mercier. "Our program is not just a rehearsal process and performance. We bring in industry professionals to teach master classes, we work extensively on character development and acting, and we tailor the production around our actors in order to provide more opportunity and a better educational experience." NHTF's philosophy is that craft comes first. For Sleepy Hollow the actors have already worked with guest choreographer Andrew Chartier from NYC who choreographed the show's big dance number, as well as Alex Jacobs of Boston, MA, who taught a master class on Stage Combat and choreographed the show's climactic sword fight. Costumes by Lorraine Louie, extensive lighting and special effects by NHTF's Producing Director Wallace J. Pineault, and a set design by Joel Mercier professionally round out the technical side of the production.

NH Theatre Factory goes "headless" with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 and 7:30 PM at the Derry Opera House in Derry, NH. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online by visiting www.nhtheatrefactory.org. It is recommended to secure tickets ahead of time to ensure the best seats possible, as seating is reserved. This is a 90-minute family production, but it is recommended to use best judgment when bringing little ones who might be scared of the Headless Horseman. For more information, please visit the NH Theatre Factory's website at www.nhtheatrefactory.org.