Performance of 'Sleepy Hollow' creeps its way onto local stage

If you want a really good pre-Halloween scare, catch a haunted house or a scary movie. But, if you want a bit of a spooky tale mixed with a good laugh, Charleston Stage Co.'s next play might be right up your alley.

The theater group's adaptation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" opens Friday.

Because the play focuses on humor so that it's a little more family friendly, it should leave you with more laughs than frights, artistic director Marybeth Clark said.

"Unlike the film version, we're closer to what Washington Irving wrote, which is really a funny tale about what happens to this pompous schoolmaster," Clark said. "It's more fun for kids so you're not worrying about freaking (kids) out. It is a classic story. It has a lot of humor in it; sort of physical comedy. It's kind of a great set-up for fun and then you throw Halloween in it."

The play follows Ichabod Crane, played by Christopher Diaz, a schoolmaster new to the town of Sleepy Hollow.

"He's gangly, and he's kind of clumsy, and he's a bit swarmy, but he's pompous ... He didn't mean any harm, but he's a bit strange and self-righteous," Diaz said.

Diaz, a resident actor with Charleston Stage Co., said a lot of the play's humor is found by observing his character's awkward interactions with other characters.

"When I approached the character, I tried to make him, incorrectly, more charming than he is," Diaz said.

"You aren't supposed to connect with him at all. He's an outsider and he comes in and tries to impose his antiquated beliefs on the town so his character ends up making Sleepy Hollow less of a ghost story and more of a moral tale on arrogance."

A few of Charleston Stage Co.'s resident actors are in Sleepy Hollow, but about nine of the 13-member cast are youth actors in grades 5-12.

Diaz teaches acting classes to some of the youths he acts alongside in Sleepy Hollow.

"It's really exciting for me as an instructor to see them internalize what we do during the week at rehearsal," Diaz said.

The biggest obstacle is teaching the younger actors the style of the play, originally written in 1820, he said.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is suitable for all ages and, while geared toward a family audience, the play isn't just for children. "Kids won't be too frightened and the humor isn't over their head, but the adults will be really amused by the really witty script."

The play, part of the Piggly Wiggly Family Series, runs Friday through Sunday at the Sottile Theatre and lasts about 70 minutes.

"It re-energizes the good old-fashioned ghost story," Diaz said of the play. "The ending leaves you ... you have to make your own choice about what happened, and that intrigue leaves a very wholesome feeling. It's really refreshing."

If you go

What: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, presented by Charleston Stage.

When: Through Sunday. For times, visit www.charlestonstage.com.

Where: College of Charleston's Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., downtown.

How much: $19 for adults and seniors, $15 for students with valid ID.

Tickets/more info: www.charlestonstage.com or by phone at 577-7183 from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.