Sleepy Hollow (radio)

“Sleepy Hollow” is a radio program from the American radio anthology series Radio Tales. The anthology series adapted classic works of American and world literature for the radio. The series was a recipient of numerous awards, including four Gracie Allen Awards from the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television (in 2004, [ [http://www.awrt.org/press-releases/2004/Press_Release_%20Announce_Winners.pdf "AWRT Press Release"] AWRT.org. Accessed March 21, 2008.] 2003, [ [http://www.npr.org/about/press/030402.gracie.html "NPR Productions Win Gracie Allen Awards"] NPR.org. Accessed March 21, 2008.] 2001, [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20011126020253/www.awrt.org/awards/2000GracieWinners.html "2001 Gracie Allen Award Winners"] AWRT.org, as indexed by the Internet Archive at Archive.org. Accessed March 21, 2008.] and 1998), a New York Festivals WorldMedal, [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20050207122048/http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/res/pdf/2004RPwinners.pdf "2004 Winners, Radio Programming and Promotion, New York Festivals"] NewYorkFestivals.com, as indexed by the Internet Archive at Archive.org. Accessed March 21, 2008.] and a Golden Reel Merit Award. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20010802161539/www.nfcb.org/2001reelsinfo.html "NFCB Announces 2001 Golden Reel Award Winners"] NFCB.org, as indexed by the Internet Archive at Archive.org. Accessed March 21, 2008.] The “Sleepy Hollow” program from the Radio Tales series was an adaptation of the classic short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

Broadcast History

The Radio Tales production of “Sleepy Hollow” was first broadcast via NPR on October 13, 1998 [National Public Radio: "NPR Quarterly Edition Fall 1998". NPR Marketing, Vol. IV, No. III] . The program encompassed two half-hour installments that were described by NPR as “a Halloween treat in two chilling parts” [National Public Radio: "NPR Quarterly Edition Fall 1998". NPR Marketing, Vol. IV, No. III] , and were distributed to NPR member stations as part of the NPR Playhouse cultural series. Since November 28th, 2002, the entire Radio Tales series has aired in reruns on the Sonic Theater channel (163) of the XM Satellite Radio service [ [http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/features/sonictheater.xmc "Sonic Theater"] XMRadio.com. Accessed May 22, 2008.] . The “Sleepy Hollow” program debuted on XM Satellite Radio on May 3, 2003.

Production Information

The program was produced and script edited by series producer Winnie Waldron, who also served as the on-air host [ [http://www.winifredphillips.com/wp_bio.html "Winifred Phillips Official Site: Biography"] Winifredphillips.com. Accessed May 19, 2008.] . Composer Winifred Phillips created over fifty-six minutes of music for the program, and also performed as the featured actress [ [http://www.mninter.net/~jstearns/nprPH.html#top "NPR Playhouse - January - March, 2001"] MNinter.net. Accessed March 21, 2008.] . “Sleepy Hollow” was part of the third year of Radio Tales on NPR Playhouse [National Public Radio: "NPR Quarterly Edition Fall 1998". NPR Marketing, Vol. IV, No. III] .

Media

The Radio Tales production of “Sleepy Hollow” was published on audiocassette by Durkin Hayes Publishing Ltd in 1998 as a part of both its DH Audio catalog and its “Paperback Audio” line (ISBN 0886469031) [ [http://www.audiobooksonline.com/0886469031.html "Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The – Washington Irving"] AudiobooksOnline.com. Accessed September 18, 2008.] , to coincide with the broadcast premiere of the program via National Public Radio. Since that time, the program has been available in numerous formats and venues, including burn-on-demand CDs manufactured and distributed by MP3.com [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20031129193548/artists.mp3s.com/artists/33/npr_radio_tales.html "MP3.com: Radio Tales"] MP3.com, as indexed by the Internet Archive at Archive.org. Accessed July 15, 2008.] and Ampcast.com [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20060212003627/http://www.ampcast.com/music/25229/artist.php "Ampcast.com: Radio Tales"] Ampcast.com, as indexed by the Internet Archive at Archive.org. Accessed July 15, 2008.] . Beginning in 2005, programs from the series, including the “Sleepy Hollow” program, have been available for download via the Audioville.co.uk web site [ [http://www.audioville.co.uk/store/view_productcategory.php?Id=59 "audioVille | Stor>>Fiction | Radio Tales | Download Audio Books, Podcasts and more in MP3. Comedy, Fiction, sport, news, science, drama."] Audioville.co.uk. Accessed May 24, 2008.] .

Opening narration

Plot Summary

The story begins with the recounting of a remarkable superstition held by the denizens of an isolated glen in New York state. The natives believe that a German soldier of the Revolutionary War, whose head had been taken off by a cannon ball during a battle in the vicinity, now haunted the region, riding a spectral horse and searching for his head each night. Such a story would often entertain the schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, who was and is greatly fascinated with all the local tales of the supernatural. He is also fascinated with the young ladies of the vicinity (who find his lanky height and superior education very impressive) as well as the local cuisine, for which he possesses an impressive appetite.

When he receives an invitation to attend a local “quilting frolick”, he grooms himself meticulously and borrows a horse named “Gunpowder” from his landlord. Arriving at the party, Ichabod impresses the entire assemblage with his dancing ability (made more astonishing by his spindly height), and then joins the older men at the fireside to listen to ghost stories until the celebration draws to a close and the guests depart.

Riding Gunpowder back through the glen in the dark of night, Ichabod remembers the ghost stories (particularly those describing the Headless Horseman). He passes through several areas associated with ghostly superstitions, and grows more fearful. Finally, when he reaches a bridge, he sees a silhouetted figure of a man on horseback at the other side. The stranger doesn’t answer when Ichabod asks his name, but guides his horse to trot alongside Gunpowder. When Ichabod is able to discern the stranger more clearly, he sees that the horseman is headless, and carries what is presumably his own head on the pommel of his saddle.

Ichabod immediately flees at full gallop, with the horseman in quick pursuit. The chase proceeds through the forest and to the Church Bridge, whereupon the Headless Horseman rises in his stirrups and throws what is apparently his own head at Ichabod. The missile hits Ichabod’s head squarely, knocking him to the ground. The next day, the townsfolk discover that Ichabod has mysteriously disappeared. Near the Church Bridge, they recover Ichabod’s hat, lying near a shattered pumpkin.

Critical Reception

The “Sleepy Hollow” program from the Radio Tales series has received favorable reviews. In reviewing the series’ production of Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow, Billboard Magazine wrote, “This telling of Washington Irving’s classic yarn is a real treat”, also describing the music as adding “an effectively spooky touch to the production.” [Trudi Mill Rosenblum: "Reviews & Previews". Billboard Magazine, pg. 24, Nov. 14, 1998] In its review of the Radio Tales production of “Sleepy Hollow”, AudioFile Magazine wrote, “Phillips’s crystalline soprano trips lightly on the ear… The artistry with which she combines her voice with background elements gives her productions distinction. In this version of Washington Irving’s evergreen, all the wit and humor come from the music, which makes for an enjoyable, undemanding listen.” [Y.R.: "Reviews: Classics". AudioFile Magazine, pg. 49, April/May 2000, Vol. 8, No. 6.]

References

External Links

* [http://www.audioville.co.uk/store/view.php?Id=127&ProductCategoryId=59 Sleepy Hollow Streaming Audio Excerpts on Audioville.co.uk]
* [http://www.radiotales.com/ The Official Radio Tales® Web Site]
* [http://www.audioville.co.uk/store/view_productcategory.php?Id=59 Radio Tales® Full Series - Streaming Audio Excerpts]
* [http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=163 XM Satellite Radio – Information on the Sonic Theater Channel]