Poe's darkest tales come to life at Footlighters in October

The haunting stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe land on Footlighters stage this October, just in time for All Hallow's Eve.

The full-length play, Nevermore: The Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is an original adaptation of popular favorites - and a few lesser-known selections - by one of America's most treasured authors. Featured pieces include classics such as The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and The Fall of the House of Usher, among others.

The imaginative retelling, adapted and directed by Katharine Buffy Henshaw, brings Poe to life and places him inside his own stories in a confrontation with his personal demons, even as his creative works unfold onstage. "Poe's stories act as a mirror, reflecting our secret impulses, the dark things we fear we are capable of doing," notes Henshaw. “He weaves a powerful tapestry of love, grief, rage, terror, and - surprisingly - humor."

Guiding the journey are four characters, the "Ensemble", who lead the audience and Poe, performed by Jason Connors, through Poe's life and development as an author.

The Ensemble characters, Sarah, Sissy, Grey, and Perry,  played by Kayla Tate, Taiquira S. Williams, Jason Crewse, and Joe Rossi, slip in and out of stories, inhabiting the characters and interacting with Poe. 

“Footlighters is thrilled to be presenting not just one but two original productions in our 2024-25 season,” said Pamela Lambert,  Footlighters President. “This effort is a key part of our mission to support and promote local artists in Redlands.”

The second original production,  set in the Jazz Age and produced in February 2025, is Lambert's adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, a comedy that explores themes of love, gender, and class.

Footlighters, now celebrating 79 years in Redlands, is located next to the Asistencia Mission at 1810 Barton Road.

Performances of Nevermore open October 11 and run through October 27 at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings with a 2:00 pm matinee on Sundays.

An additional 2:00 pm matinee followed by a special question and answer session with the actors and director will be held on the final Saturday, October 26.

Ticket information here.