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Ghost Stories and Legends: An evening of classic stories of the supernatural with John Rapson
Join Broadway’s John Rapson (Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) on a spooky, thrilling, funny Halloween journey though some of the greatest ghost stories of all time. For one night only, Rapson brings a special version of his acclaimed solo show of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to the playhouse barn and pairs it with other classic ghostly tales.
Join us for a haunting October treat for the ages!
From author/performer, John Rapson:
As the author Ray Bradbury once said, “I am, for better or worse, the illegitimate son of the Opera Phantom, Dracula and the Bat. My proper home was Usher, my aunts and uncles descended from Poe.”
Like Mr. Bradbury, I too have been a creature of the night for practically as long as I can remember. I blame Washington Irving. At seven years old my mother took me to a puppet show of his immortal story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and I was forever hooked. I’ve dreamed of bringing his stories – not to mention the stories of his ghostly literary descendants – to the stage since the beginning of my career as an actor. It is an honor beyond words to do just that at one of America’s great theaters; the Westport Country Playhouse AND to do it with the encouragement of my friend and fellow lover of all things that go bump in the night, Mark Shanahan.
So let’s gather together as if by the campfire and hear these stories as they were meant to be heard. I guarantee laughs, chills and thrills. Just try not to lose your head….
John Rapson knows how to tell one heck of a great ghost story. To hear him recount the tale of the Headless Horseman is to feel you’ve stepped back in time to Irving’s version of Sleepy Hollow itself, with the hair the back of your neck standing on end as you experience a good bit of fun. This is a perfect Barnstormer event to usher in a wonderfully spooky, fall chill in the air at the Playhouse."
Mark ShanahanGALLERY
MEET THE PERFORMER
![](https://www.westportplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/John-Rapson-600x600-1-500x500.jpg)
THANK YOU
2024 Programming & Season Sponsorship is generously provided by Barbara Streicker.
Media Sponsorship for the 2024 season is generously provided by Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
ABOUT THE *NEW* BARNSTORMER SERIES
Barnstormer is a series of small events, in the Lucille Lortel White Barn, located adjacent to the Playhouse. From cabarets to playreadings, Barnstormer provides an opportunity for artists, many of whom are from our local community, to exercise their creative muscle in a cozy and intimate setting.
Learn about more about Barnstormer events HERE!