Weber State University Department of Performing Arts presents"

“Sleepy Hollow”

book and lyrics by Jim Christian, music by Tom Edward Clark, 
directed by Jim Christian, in the Allred Theater, Val A. Browning 
Center for the Performing Arts. Performances begin at 7:30 October 30, 
31 and November 2-7; and at 2:00 pm on both Saturdays, October 31 and 
November 7. The November 7 matinée will feature American Sign Language 
interpretation.

“Sleepy Hollow” follows the well-known tale of Ichabod Crane and the 
Headless Horseman, both iconic characters of Early American folklore.  These characters were first created in print in “The Legend of Sleepy  Hollow” a short story by Washington Irving contained in his collection  “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.,” first published in 1820. Christian says “I intend for this production to be a really good ghost  story that will give people the shivers. In this play normal people of  1820 will be living in extreme circumstances in a world that isn’t  completely real - they are cursed! For this reason, I recommend that  only children 10 and older attend.”

To help create the supernatural events that occur in the story Paul 
Draper, anthropologist, magician and mentalist has been contracted as  a consultant. Draper, a 2002 WSU graduate (anthropology and theatre)  is requiring that everyone associated with this production sign a  nondisclosure contract so that the secrets of the special effects are  not revealed.Christian has another musical theatre script that has met with  considerable success: “Pirated!,” based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s  “Pirates of Penzance,” this play has received rave reviews from  critics coast to coast and was performed in the Kennedy Center for the  Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

Christian joined forces with Utah composer Tom Edward Clark this past  spring to set Sleepy Hollow lyrics to music. They have been  workshopping the music with a small group of performers all summer.  David Blackburn, a freelance orchestrator and old friend of  Christian’s, has produced the completed score for the theatre orchestra. Jaime Frank, a WSU theatre senior, is creating an eerie and skeletal  set that transforms into a forest, a school room, a fancy country  farmhouse and the desolate territory in between.  Costume designer,  WSU faculty Catherine Zublin, will recreate the historical period in earthy, country colors, as well as leather horse head masks.

For more information about this production, contact Jim Christian at
801  626 6992 or jchristian@weber.edu.