Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe

Synopsis.

This unique and wildly theatrical musical combines haunting music and poetic storytelling to chronicle the fascinating life of iconic American writer, Edgar Allan Poe. A literary rock star of his day, Poe struggles with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produces some of the world’s most original, visionary and enduring literature before dying in unexplained circumstances at the age of 40. At once gorgeous and grotesque, Nevermore explores the events that shape Poe’s character and career, blurring the line between fact and fiction – after all, as Poe himself wrote, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”

Available Roles.

We are looking to cast 7-13 actors total. Other than Poe, all other actors will take on multiple roles.

Please note that while the characters are gendered, all roles are available to all genders.

EDGAR ALLAN POE: (Tenor/Baritone) An American born writer/poet who had a fascination with mystery, the morbid and the macabre.

PLAYER 1/RODERICK USHER: (Baritenor) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

PLAYER 2/WILLIAM WILSON: (Baritone) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

PLAYER 3/ARTHUR GORDON PYM: (Tenor) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

PLAYER 4/MARIE ROGET: (Soprano) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

PLAYER 5/ANNABEL LEE: (Soprano) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

PLAYER 6/LENORE: (Alto) One of six fellow passengers and characters of Poe’s writing who narrate the story.

DAVID POE: (Baritone) Edgar’s Father, a drunk

ELIZA POE: (Soprano) Edgar’s Mother, an actress

HENRY POE: (Tenor) Edgar’s older brother, an optimist

ROSALIE POE: (Soprano) Edgar’s younger sister

DRESSER: (Soprano) Eliza Poe’s Assistant

STAGE MANAGER: Stage Manager for Eliza’s acting troupe

MAN AT BAR 1 and 2: Drinking buddies of David Poe’s

UNDERTAKER 1 and 2: Eliza’s Undertakers

RAVEN 1, 2 and 3: Products of Edgar’s Nightmares, symbols of death

JOCK ALLAN: (Baritone) Edgar’s step-father, wealthy, strict, does not care of Edgar’s lifestyle

FANNY ALLAN: (Soprano) Edgar’s step-mother, kind and caring, a bit insane

METZENGERSTEIN’S HORSE: One of Edgar’s Nightmares come to life

MISS DUVAL 1: (Soprano) Teacher of Edgar’s, encouraging of his poetic talents

MISS DUVAL 2: (Alto) Teacher of Edgar’s, encouraging of his poetic talents

THE IMP: A voice inside Fanny’s head who encourages her to do untowardly things

ASYLUM ATTENDANTS (2): Attendants at the facility where Fanny goes

ELMIRA ROYSTER: (Alto) A love interest of teenaged Edgar, also shares a love of the macabre

ANNE CARTER LEE: A woman who gets buried alive in a graveyard

MISTER LEE: Anne Carter Lee’s husband

ALEXANDER SHELTON : Elmira’s husband

LOUISE GABRIELLA (Soprano) : Jock Allan’s second wife

MUDDY CLEMM : Edgar’s Aunt, poor but very kind

SISSY CLEMM: Edgar’s cousin and then wife, sweet and very much in love with Edgar

RUFUS GRISWOLD: (Baritenor) An editor, a bit jealous of Edgar

MISTER BLISS: A publisher

BILL BURTON: Owner of a magazine where Edgar works

MRS. WHITMAN: (Soprano) Woman of high society, a fan of Edgar’s writing

MISS FULLER: (Alto) Woman of high society, a fan of Edgar’s writing