The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
© Rosalie O’Connor
Act I - Day 1
The restless ghost of the Headless
Horseman haunts the countryside
each night, the eerie sound of his
horse’s hooves echoing through the
valley. On this night, he has claimed
an unfortunate victim in the town
of Sleepy Hollow. Upon hearing the
poor man’s scream, a nearby family
rushes from their home and finds
they are too late. Constables arrive
to discover that the evil ghost has
struck again, and with heavy hearts,
drag away the body.
The town bells signal midnight, and
the Hollows, deceased ancestral
protectors of the town, awaken
to make certain that all is well.
As morning approaches, Ichabod
Crane, the lanky and awkward schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, arrives
at the schoolhouse to begin the day’s lessons. The children and their
parents also begin to arrive, along with the women of the wealthiest
family in Sleepy Hollow. Leading the Van Tassel family is the sly,
meddling mother, Mynheer, followed by the town’s most beautiful
but coquettish bride-to-be, Katrina. They bring Anneke, Katrina’s
bratty younger sister, for her first day of school. Katrina presents the
schoolmaster with a gift of a round, golden pumpkin.
Throughout the day, the learned schoolmaster struggles to control the
rambunctious students, and finally, a harried Ichabod gratefully ends
the school days. He shyly speaks with the beautiful Katrina when she
returns to pick up her sister. As the two girls make their way home,
Katrina waves good-bye and flirtatiously drops her shawl for Ichabod
to find. When he returns to the schoolhouse to tidy up, Ichabod’s
fantasies of Katrina carry him away as he dances with the pumpkin.
When the pumpkin suddenly falls to the ground, Ichabod is jolted by
the tales told of the Headless Horseman, and decides to head home
for the day.
Act I – Day 1, Ichabod’s Journey Home
Ichabod pauses by a huge old tree near the churchyard to relax
and read when his mind is again drawn elsewhere with thoughts of
Katrina. The leader of the Hollows spies Ichabod and lulls him into a
trance-like slumber with her magical cloth. The other Hollows soon
enter, and together they reveal the future to Ichabod. As the Hollows
finish their task, Ichabod is jarred out of his trance by the approach
of the town hooligans, The Sleepy Hollow Boys. Fearing a repeat of
past encounters, Ichabod cowers amongst the trees. The Boys find
Ichabod’s belongings and cherished gift from Katrina and begin to toss
them about in a silly game.
Brom and his fiancée Katrina enter. While the Boys share their
discovery with their leader, Katrina finds Ichabod furtively gathering
his belongings in an attempt to elude the gang. Brom and the Boys
continue their earlier teasing, and Brom boasts to Ichabod that Katrina
will soon be his bride. Upset by Brom’s cruel treatment of Ichabod,
Katrina angrily sends him away. The Boys return to spy as Katrina and
Ichabod begin their mutual flirtations.
Act I – Day 2, The Invitation
Ichabod and the children arrive to discover a schoolyard in shambles
from the shenanigans of the Sleepy Hollow Boys the night before.
After restoring order to the school, Ichabod and the children immerse
themselves in the day’s lessons. A messenger interrupts to deliver an
invitation for a party that evening at the Van Tassel home and the
schoolyard erupts into a chaotic celebration.
Act I – Day 2, The Party
Ichabod arrives at the party bearing a gift of a jack-o-lantern, hoping
to gain favor with the Van Tassels. After an awkward entrance, he
settles in and watches as the guests of the party, and in particular
Katrina, dance and celebrate. To the dismay of Brom Bones, Katrina
encourages Ichabod to join in. Fuming with jealousy, Brom and his
pals make a plan to scare Ichabod away for good.
Act II – Day 2, The Search for Katrina
Ichabod frantically searches the graveyard near the church for the
abducted Katrina. The Constables and Baltus arrive to find Ichabod
and the Headless Horseman in a heated battle over Katrina. In
a crushing blow, Ichabod knocks the Headless Horseman to the
ground. The constables restrain him, and the Lieutenant removes the
disguise, revealing a desperate and ashamed Brom. In a pas de trois
with Brom and a newly confident Ichabod, Katrina once and for all
announces her love for Ichabod and her rejection of Brom. Ichabod
delivers a defeating blow, and he and Katrina joyfully ask her parents
for permission to wed. As the lovers and their family leave, a band of
Hollows return to banish Brom from Sleepy Hollow forever.
Act II – Day 3, The Wedding
Anneke and her young friends have readied the churchyard. The
newlyweds and guests emerge from church and join together in
celebration of the marriage of Katrina and Ichabod.