Special performers to help noteworthy cause

Theatre for Children, founded in 1929, is the oldest children’s theatre west of the Mississippi and is one of nine services of Assistance League of Southern California (ALSC).

The Nine O’Clock Players (NOP) is one auxiliary of ALSC, and its members are volunteers who operate and support Theatre for Children, which offers musical productions of classic children’s plays twice a year.

NOP will present their fall production, the musical "Sleepy Hollow," at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10, 16 and 17, 23 and 24 in the Walter Lantz Magic Auditorium, 1367 North St. Andrews Place, Hollywood.

It’s one block south of Sunset Boulevard and one block west of Western Avenue.

Each Tuesday and Thursday during the run of NOP productions, nine invitational performances are specifically presented, free of charge, for economically and physically challenged children.

The audiences come from inner city schools, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, hospitals and other institutions.

In addition, eight other weekly performances are given for Los Angeles area school children at a reduced cost. Teachers are provided with educational kits about each production for their students, in advance of attending performances. These materials are learning tools which augment and enhance the children’s enjoyment of the productions.

On weekends, performances are $10 per ticket. All funds derived from NOP activities support ALSC.

The West Coast debut of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by NOP is suitable for all age groups.

It's described as "a perfect Halloween season treat … an adventure for the whole family … a suspenseful musical filled with a variety of songs."

It tells the tale of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, his would-be intended, the striking Katrina Van Tassel, her jealous boyfriend, Brom Bones, and of course the phantom Headless Horseman.

To purchase tickets and for further information, please call the NOP box office at (323) 469-1970 or visit the Internet Website at www.assistanceleague.net.