By Lisa Panzer
Director/Writer David M. Reyne has arranged a hauntingly beautiful blend of “Poe’try” and macabre stories adapted from the literary vault of Edgar Allan Poe at Barnstormers, Inc.! Music, dance and fantastical lighting adorn the stage, comingling with the eerie world of the infamous Poe mystique, highlighting the author’s life and times and well-known works, including “The Pit and the Pendulum”, “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Oval Portrait”, “The Mask of the Red Death” and a suspensefully orchestrated recitation of “The Raven” among other riveting tales.
David Polgar as Poe.
Poe employed several pseudonyms in his lifetime, had various careers including the military, lived and studied in a number of places – even the cause of his death at age 40 remains nebulous. The infamous author was a pioneer in the genres of science fiction, dark romance, detective stories and the short story. He is credited with being one of the few better known American writers to endeavor to earn a living through that craft alone, which severely challenged his financial state. This enigmatic Poe is embraced by Dave Polgar, who embodies the writer upon the stage with passion.
We experience not just Edgar Allan’s stories, but the illustrious author’s story as well, as he dramatically relates personal events to Ward Nurse Eliza, sweetly portrayed by Emily Ciuffetelli. Poe’s more famous allegories are performed by a creatively choreographed ensemble featuring the talents of Dmitry Flouhouse, Inna Leonov-Kenny, Stephanie Krause, Jim Ludovici, Shanna Ramsdell and Eileen Wiley in various roles. Particularly outstanding, among others, is “The Tell-Tale Heart”, showcasing Stephanie Krause brilliantly as Maggie the mad murderess, a fearfully fun rendition of “The Cask of Amontillado” starring Jim Ludovici as Montresor with Dmitry Flouhouse as Fortunato, and also “The Raven”, a favorite among many!
Stephanie Krause as Maggie and David Polgar as Victim.
The terrific tech team of J. “Buzz” Disabatino (lighting design) and Martin English (sound design) with David M. Reyne (sound and set design) have created a deliciously dark atmosphere upon the multi-tiered Barnstormers stage through a clever combination of phantasmic lighting, spooky scintillating sound and music while utilizing a wide range use of theater space.
The costuming, credited to Kim Flouhouse, Stephanie Krause, Cindy Millison & Cast is delightfully Goth, adding much to the overall otherworldliness contained within the walls of the Barnstormers theater. If you like Poe, you will much appreciate this preternaturally enjoyable production, and the opportunity to perhaps dress for the Halloween season!
If you go:
Poe: The Masquerade
Director/Writer, David M. Reyne
Show runs through Oct. 12-14 at 8pm, at The Barnstormers Inc., 402 Tome St., Ridley Park, PA 19078
For tickets, visit https://barnstormerstheater1.ticketleap.com or call 610-461-9969.
Run time approximately 2 hrs. with one 15 min. intermission.