You Might Just Lose Your Head Over This! DON’T MISS The Sleepy Hollow Experience in Sturbridge

“All these, however, were mere terrors of the night, phantoms of the mind that walk in darkness; and though he had seem many specters in his time and been more than once beset by Satan’s diverse shapes in his lonely pre-ambulations, yet daylight put an end to all these evils; and he would have passed a pleasant life of it, in despite of the devil and all his works, if his path had not been crossed by a being that causes more perplexity to mortal man than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race of witches put together, and that was - a woman.” ...Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Yes, it’s October once more, and how are you going to celebrate Halloween this year? Carve a pumpkin or two...again?

Buy those sickening sweet candy corn tri-color treats...again?

Rent a costume? Bob for apples? Eat too many mini chocolate bars...again?

that scrawny school teacher, his unrequited love, and the terrifying hoof beats of the Headless Horseman, there is a shared nod common to us all, no matter when and where it raised the goosebumps on your arms.

Or perhaps you’d like to meet Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and the Headless Horseman up close and personal outdoors, on a chilly fall night, when you can almost feel icy fingertips on your neck, and shiver against the chill left in the wake of a headless Hessian’s wild gallop, created as it streaks by you in the darkness. Remember reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow when you were in school? The grade you were in doesn’t matter, where you were raised doesn’t matter either, for when you speak of Theatrical genius, Brian Clowdus, artistic director of the Serenbe Playhouse, the nation’s premiere site specific outdoor theatre in suburban Atlanta and named Top Artistic director in the Atlanta area, never took a story at face value and never took mounting a production for granted. Rather, he has been breaking boundaries, creating oohs and ahhs, and making the impossible possible across the USA for years with his company, Brian Clowdus Experiences.

Clowdus has created environmental theatrical experiences nationwide that have won major awards and high praise from Playbill Magazine, American Theatre Magazine, an Obie Award, and more. The Sleepy Hollow Experience, an immersive, outdoor musical theatre walking experience that re-imagines Washington Irving’s famous tale, is now playing Wednesday through Sunday nights through November 3rd at the easy to reach Old Sturbridge Village; and if you love Halloween, an extraordinary theatre experience, and want a bit of a scare, you don’t want to miss it.

Rhys Simmons, Director of Interpretations and Program Manager for the museum in Old Sturbridge Village tells us that this is the fourth year The Sleepy Hollow Experience will be presented in Sturbridge. “It is a way to engage an audience,” he says adding,“since there are fourstages as part of the outdoor production, and the audience moves inter-actively with the production.” For those for whom accessibility is an issue, just call ahead, and a wheelchair can be provided, if desired.

Make no mistake, however, this is no amateur production. Brian Clowdus Experiences employs all professional actors, sound people, and lighting, so all they ask of the audience is to become an integral part of the story through the use of their own imagination and wonder

The performance is staged nightly, Wednesday through Sunday and lasts approximately 90 minutes, according to Marketing Manager, Nathan Hardt. He also notes that 300 people can be accommodated at each show, a performance which is strictly geared for audience members age 14 and up, so please leave the little ones home. Simmons says, “Of course there are some scary moments in the piece, but also a lot of humor, songs, and a strong plot thread to follow. We are an outdoor living history museum, and this experience just adds to it.”

While it’s a reasonably short ride from most Connecticut locales (we checked, and it’s just an hour and a half or less from Middletown, Old Saybrook, the Mystic-New London area, and New Haven), Simmons and Hardt also urge people attending The Sleepy Hollow Experience to consider spending a day or two in Old Sturbridge Village. “You can experience New England’s largest living history museum by day, while this outdoor production gives the whole area a different feel at night,” says Simmons.

Both men strongly suggest that those attending The Sleepy Hollow Experience should come earlyand have dinner at any number of restaurants and pubs. A hearty beef stew, chowder, or soup and bread meal is offered at Ichabod’s Tavern prior to the start of the production, and there are additional sweets and libations available at intermission as well.

You may contact Old Sturbridge Village for further information, overnight accommodations, dining options, and more at (800) 733- 1830. Consider this option, so you can truly take in everything this Living History Museum has to offer.

Then suspend all belief, open yourself to the dark, and come experience what thousands have already witnessed across the country. You will never forget The Sleepy Hollow Experience.

“Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvelous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights and hear music and voices in the air.” ...Washington Irving

The performance is staged nightly, Wednesday through Sunday and lasts approximately 90 minutes, according to Marketing Manager, Nathan Hardt. He also notes that 300 people can be accommodated at each show, a performance which is strictly geared for audience members age 14 and up, so please leave the little ones home. Simmons says, “Of course there are some scary moments in the piece, but also a lot of humor, songs, and a strong plot thread to follow. We are an outdoor living history museum, and this experience just adds to it.”

While it’s a reasonably short ride from most Connecticut locales (we checked, and it’s just an hour and a half or less from Middletown, Old Saybrook, the Mystic-New London area, and New Haven), Simmons and Hardt also urge people attending The Sleepy Hollow Experience to consider spending a day or two in Old Sturbridge Village. “You can experience New England’s largest living history museum by day, while this outdoor production gives the whole area a different feel at night,” says Simmons.

Both men strongly suggest that those attending The Sleepy Hollow Experience should come early and have dinner at any number of restaurants and pubs. A hearty beef stew, chowder, or soup and bread meal is offered at Ichabod’s Tavern prior to the start of the production, and there are additional sweets and libations available at intermission as well.

If You Go: Please note, shows begin 7:30PM Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; Fridays and Saturdays there are shows at both 7:30PM and 9:30 PM. (Please arrive at least a half hour before). All performances generally sell out, so get your tickets in advance by visiting their website: www.osv.org….Click on events. You will be asked to select the week you wish to experience The Sleepy Hollow Experience at Sturbridge, and ticket prices and times will then appear for you to choose what will best fit your schedule.