Raven-Winged Hours
by The Archive Theater Company

Sep. 07 - Sep. 17, 2023
Thursdays-Sundays

Imagine spending an evening in Edgar Allan Poe's Victorian parlor as he recounts some of his most famous stories to you. Then imagine these stories taking on their own life before your eyes. In this world-premiere production, playwrights Jennifer Rose Davis, Adriana Fontánez, and Chris Fontanes bring you into Poe’s world of gothic terror with a dramatic retelling of poems and stories including The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Masque of the Red Death, and more.

Review by Joni Lorraine for Austin Broadway World, September 19, 2023

 

Edgar Allen Poe, the master of the macabre, vividly comes to life in The Archive Theater’s new adaptation of his poetry and stories. Imagine spending an evening in Poe's Victorian parlor as he recounts some of his most famous stories to you. Then imagine these stories taking on their own life before your eyes. In this world-premiere production, playwrights Jennifer Rose Davis, Adriana Fontánez, and playwright/director Chris Fontanes bring you into Poe’s world of gothic terror with your favorite poems and stories like The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Masque of the Red Death, and more. Something spooky this way comes! 

 

For the first two weekends, The Archive Theater will turn the hundred-year-old haunted Wessels dance hall at Pioneer Farms into Edgar Allen Poe's parlor and library complete with games, live music, and delicious themed refreshments. The last two weekends of the show will be at the Wells Branch Community Center which is equally lovely–though less haunted. Recommended for ages 12 and up due to violence and mature themes. 

Starring Joe Kelley as Edgar Allan Poe and Egeus, Liz Waters as Virginia Clemm Poe and Berenice, Remy Joslin as The Daughter and Katherine, Gina Houston as The Mother, Doctor Moran, and Prince Propero, Julius Alums as Montressor, Edward, and Officer 1, Travis H. Williams as Fortunato, Robert, and Officer 2, Rebecca Greaves as Jackson, Luchesi, and The Red Death, and Merrick Milburn and Naz as swings.

Raven-Winged Hours: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe | Sept 7 – Oct 1, 2023

Written by Edgar Allan Poe| Adapted by Jennifer Rose Davis, Adriana Fontánez, and Chris Fontanes Edited by Lynn Schaffer Beaver and Joe Stephenson

Directed by Chris Fontanes
Produced by Jennifer Rose Davis and Adriana Fontánez | Set and Props design by Jennifer Rose Davis | Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony | Costume Design by Jennifer Rose Davis and Jana Steen | Fight Choreography by Patrick Wheeler | Dance Choreography by Adriana Fontánez | Original Music, Music Arrangements, and Music Direction by Vikki Schwarz, Chris Humphrey, and Stephen Trudell | Stage Managed by Lynn Schaffer Beaver. Live Music by Vikki Schwarz, Chris Humphrey, Jennifer Rose Davis, Stephen Trudell, Kristie Cheng, David Miller, Ev Lunning, and Joe Stephenson.

Raven-Winged Hours: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe was adapted from The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, Berenice, The Red Death, The Oval Portrait, and The Cask of Amontillado, which were all written between 1842 and 1847 at the height of Poe’s fame. In 1842, Poe met Charles Dickens as he toured America and was fascinated with the tales of Dicken’s pet Raven which was featured as a character in Dicken’s Barnaby Rudge. These stories and poems span the pinnacle of Poe’s creativity before the tragic death of his wife Virginia. Raven-Winged Hours is set in 1847, shortly after Poe’s devastating loss.

Playwrights Jennifer Rose Davis, Adriana Fontánez, and Playwright/Director Chris Fontanes have woven an imagined tapestry of Poe’s voice as he meets the audience and guides them through his darkest hours. The physical setting reflects the decay of Poe’s mind and world as he escapes his long intervals of horrible sanity into vivid, gothic, imagination.

 

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Raven-Winged Hours
by Edgar Alan Poe, adapted by Jennifer Rose Davis, Adriana Fontánez, Chris Fontanes
The Archive Theater Company

September 7 - 17, 2023

Pioneer Farms, Austin

Tickets $15 - $30; Table seating $30 - $35

Purchase tickets HERE.