Enter the world of the original master of suspense, Edgar Allan Poe. Opera Macabre brings Poe's classics to life with chilling suspense and lurid language. Philadelphia Opera Collective takes on another American storyteller with their signature approach to opera that is both accessible and visceral.
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Opera Macabre – Edgar Allan Poe
Music by – Reese Revak
Libretto by – The Philadelphia Opera Collective, Found Theater Co, Brenna Geffers and Ross Beschler
Location - Adrienne Theatre Playground
DIRECTION – Brenna Geffers
MAESTRO - Reese Revak
Act One - The Fall of the House of Usher - tells the story of a man plagued by hypochondria and haunted by a sickly sister. When he invites a childhood friend to help him through is growing mania, his life only spirals more out of control.
NARRATOR - Michael A. Lienhard
USHER - TBA
MADELINE - Isabel Brouhard
The Intermezzo - Music of the Spheres - is a ten minute exploration of Edgar Allan Poe's letters. In these letters, the original "Master of Suspense" explains how to become a world class poet.
POET - Kirsten Kunkle
Act Two - The Black Cat - details the pre-execution confessions of a sociopath with a drinking problem.
NARRATOR - Chadwick Somers III
WIFE - Crystal Charles
PIANO - Reese Revak
ACCORDION - Michael A. Lienhard
UPRIGHT BASS - Jess Molan
PUPPETRY - Alison Hoban & Jordan Montram
Created in a lab environment, Opera Macabre: Edgar Allan Poe combines the talents of prominent members of Found Theater Co, Brenna Geffers (Marat/Sade and Woyzeck), Ross Beschler (Hell, The Golem) and key members of the Philadelphia Opera Collective. The company that is “making opera accessible” is uniting well-known actors, puppetry and of course some of the finest young opera singers that Philadelphia has to offer to create a one of a kind experience.
The Philadelphia Opera Collective is an innovative group of young opera singers and theatre artists who believe that opera is accessible despite past stereotypes. They hope to both surprise aficionados and create new opera fans by creating a one of a kind, signature approach to opera. This includes using intimate spaces that allows for the drama of the opera to be paramount for the audience.
