Sleepy Hollow
Synetic Theater’s *Sleepy Hollow* reimagines Washington Irving’s tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman through gothic horror, surreal imagery, and the company’s distinctive physical-theater language. Directed and adapted by Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili, the production examines how legends and myths shape the way people understand a frightening, seemingly villainous figure.
The production appears in two limited runs on two stages: at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Maryland, and at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Its elements include iconic characters, movement-driven storytelling, atmospheric imagery, original music, and fight choreography.
When: October 7–November 22, 2026
Showtimes: The page lists November 14 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; November 15 at 3 p.m.; November 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; November 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and November 22 at 3 p.m. The Olney run is scheduled for October 7–November 1, and the Arlington run for November 14–22.
Tickets: Price not available
Ages: Recommended for ages 13 and older.
Venues: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland 20832; and Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22204.
Creative team: Paata Tsikurishvili is co-director and co-adapter; Irina Tsikurishvili is co-director and choreographer; Nathan Weinberger is resident dramaturg and co-adapter; Vato Tsikurishvili is fight choreographer; Phil Charlwood is set designer; Erik Teague is costume designer, assisted by Channing Tucker; Brian Allard is lighting designer, assisted by Dean Leong; Konstantine Lortkipanidze is resident composer and sound designer; Shannon Saulnier is production manager; Darcy Golla is stage manager; Anna Major is assistant stage manager; and Jax Pendland is technical director.
Cast: Vato Tsikurishvili plays Ichabod, Maryam Najafzada plays the Horse Spirit, Philip Fletcher plays the Headless Horseman, Sia Li Wright plays Katrina, Konstantine Lortkipanidze plays the Headless Piano, Liam Klopfenstein plays Van Tassel, Matt Dantas plays McCutcheon–Van Ripper, and Tony Amante plays Brom. Stella Bunch, Ernest Fleischer, Kaitlyn Shifflett, Morgan Taylor, Elijah Williams, and Natan-Maël Gray appear as ensemble performers.
Production background: Paata Tsikurishvili is Synetic’s founding artistic director and an award-winning director, actor, educator, and movement-theater creator originally from Georgia. Irina Tsikurishvili, also a Synetic co-founder, is an award-winning choreographer and performer who has choreographed the company’s productions. Nathan Weinberger, a founding company member and Synetic’s resident dramaturg since 2005, has adapted numerous works for the company, including *Sleepy Hollow*, which received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for adaptation. Composer and sound designer Konstantine Lortkipanidze, also from Tbilisi, has created original music for many Synetic productions and has received Helen Hayes recognition for his sound design.
Style: The production uses Synetic’s wordless or movement-centered physical-theater approach, combining drama, dance, pantomime, music, fight work, gothic horror, and surreal visual storytelling.