The POE Show
Synopsis
Featuring performances of the Raven, Tell Tale Heart, and The Black Cat, The POE Show is a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe and the actor’s art. With only the simplest accoutrements, the actor transforms into the narrators of Poe’s most demented masterworks, transporting the audience along with him.
Tsendeas introduces the story he is to perform, while the audience counts down from five quietly in their heads. The actor transforms into the charming, but homicidal maniac of Poe’s cautionary tale. With slight costume and make-up adjustments – from the frying pan to the fire we go – as The Tell Tale Heart takes the stage. After our sojourn among Poe’s prose, we segue to 1846. Mr. Poe is observed supplementing his meager income with lectures and poetry readings. The mustache now applied, the audience is transported to the final minutes of such a reading as Mr. Poe recites The Conqueror Worm, Alone and finally The Raven.
History
The Poe Show, a very agile piece of mobile Theater, is a culmination of hundreds of performances of various Poe stories, many presented as Actor-In-Residence for the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum.
Reviews
“The audience was riveted by Tsendeas’ powerful performance. The Poe Show transforms a literary genre into a spellbinding ghost story.”
— Kimberly Lynne, Theater Events Coordinator, University of Baltimore
“Tony pulls you in and takes you back in time recreating the wonderful Poe classics.”
— Peggy Hill, Executive Director, The Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY
“Observe how Tony assumes the persona of the deranged killer on stage and witness his descent into madness! Brace yourself for a shocking ending!”
— Jeff Jerome, Curator, Poe House and Museum
Approx. running time
1 Hour 10 minutes
Requirements
- Performance space
- Audience
- Minimal area lighting
- Two chairs
