Before I dive into a deeper look at Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe I’ll start off by simply saying I give it two thumbs up. I’d give it more thumbs but those are all I got. Evolution has seen fit to stop at two thumbs per person and that does seem to serve us well although had evolution seen fit to give me four I’d give Nevermore four thumbs up. So, yes – go see it. It’s a show that comes highly recommended not just from me but from countless other reviewers and audience members.

I think the best filmmakers, painters, and writers all have a particular vision. We know A Wes Anderson film from a single frame. We know a Van Gogh on sight, and we recognize a Rolling Stones song after hearing a few notes. That’s what makes these artists stand out. Their work is unique in form and structure and execution. These artists see and understand the world from a slightly different angle than the rest of us and so they bring new life to many of the things we take for granted – be that a sunflower or the life of a poet.

And so, who better to bring to the stage the life of Edgar Allan Poe – an artist with his own unique artistic view of the world – than Catalyst Theatre and writer, director, and composer Jonathan Christenson. Nevermore is filled with energy that explodes across the stage in bold and theatrical storytelling that distinguishes Catalyst Theatre as a truly unique and visionary voice in Canadian Theatre. And if Poe was able to shake off his uneasy slumber and journey from his resting place in Baltimore to Calgary and see the show – I have little doubt that he would be pleased with this nightmarish and mesmerizing telling of his tale – elaborate costumes, rhyming prose, imaginative staging, and a rather macabre story all set to music and flawlessly choreographed.

Nevermore first graced the Vertigo Stage in 2011 and this revival has the good fortune of bringing back together the incredible ensemble from that original production. Scott Shpeley channels the bedevilled poet with a wide-eyed wonder and a growing sense of doom as the other cast members transition between a multitude of characters in Poe’s life including his mother Eliza Poe an actress who dreams of fame and fortune played by Vanessa Sabourin.

Sheldon Elter brings to life Edgar’s older, gregarious, and optimistic brother Henry while Garett Ross takes on the role of the pious and stingy Jock Allan who gave Edgar a home when Edgar became an orphan after his mother died.

Ryan Parker plays the rather aloof Rufus Griswold once a friend of Edgar’s who becomes jealous of Edgar’s talent and makes it his mission to tarnish Poe’s reputation. Shannon Blanchet plays Elmira Royster Edgar’s first love whose father isn’t too keen about the prospect of his daughter marrying a poet. And Beth Graham plays Edgar’s first wife Sissy who must endure scandalous rumours about her husband’s involvement and affection for another woman.

These are big bold characters that move about the stage like living marionettes and the entire cast energetically throws themselves into a story that depicts the tragedies and hopes that haunt Edgar’s short life.

Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe covers Poe’s life from birth to death. Forty years in a little over two hours. Like all biographical plays, certain things are adjusted and manipulated to tell a coherent and simpler story because – well you’ve only got two hours.

And in some ways, I think a play is very much like a painting – paintings are a version of reality seen through the lens of the artist and the subject matter of a play is a version of reality seen through the lens of the playwright and director and the actors and the entire creative team and the purpose of the play is to entertain – to enthrall its audience and Nevermore succeeds on every level.

Catalyst Theatre’s

NEVERMORE:
THE IMAGINARY LIFE AND
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDGAR ALLAN POE

A whimsical and chilling musical fairy tale at Vertigo Theatre

The Cast

Shannon Blanchet (Elmira Royster)
Sheldon Elter (Henry Poe)
Beth Graham (Rosalie/Fammy/Sissy)
Ryan Parker (Rufus Griswold)
Garett Ross (David Poe/Jock Allan)
Vanessa Sabourin (Eliza Poe/Muddy Clemm/Louise Gabriella)
Scott Shpeley (Edgar Allan Poe)

The Creative Team

Jonathan Christenson – Writer/Director/Composer
Bretta Gerecke – Set/Costumes/Lighting Designer
Laura Krewski – Choreography
Wade Staples – Sound Designer
Matthew Skopyk – Music Producer
Leo O’Reilly – Catalyst Production Manager
John Raymond – Stage Manager
Nyssa Beairsto – Assistant Stage Manager
Ruth Alexander – Music Director
Keven Green – Catalyst Technical Director
Alexandra Prichard – Lighting Associate
Kat Evans – Costume & Props Associate
Jonathan Beaudoin – Costume Coordinator
Rebecca Cypher – Costume & Props Assistant
Derek Miller – Sound Design Assistant

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