About the Show

Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe is a unique and wildly theatrical musical play combining haunting music, poetic storytelling, and stunning stagecraft to tell the fascinating story of iconic American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849).

A literary rock star in his day, Poe struggled with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produced some of the world’s most original and enduring literature before dying in unexplained circumstances at the age of 40. Nevermore blurs the line between fact and fiction, exploring the events that shaped Poe’s character and career and giving powerful expression to Poe’s words “all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”

Nevermore is written, composed, and directed by Catalyst Theatre’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Christenson. The physical world of Nevermore – including sets, costumes, and lighting – is designed by Bretta Gerecke. The production features choreography by Laura Krewski, sound effects design by Wade Staples, and orchestrations by Jonathan Christenson with Matthew Skopyk.

The 2027 London production of Nevermore will be produced at Charing Cross Theatre by M. Kilburg Reedy for MKR Entertainment Group Ltd, Martin Hummel, and Catalyst Theatre.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

Originally produced by Catalyst Theatre of Edmonton, Canada (Jonathan Christenson, Artistic Director; Bretta Gerecke, Resident Designer; Eva Cairns, Managing Producer) in 2009 to commemorate the bicentennial of Poe’s birth (January 19, 1809), Nevermore’s original cast members were Shannon Blanchett, Sheldon Elter, Beth Graham, Ryan Parker, Garett Ross, Scott Shpeley, and Vanessa Sabourin.

Nevermore was commissioned by the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Co-commissioned by Luminato, developed with the support of Keyano Theatre and the Banff Center for the Arts, and received its New York City premiere presented by The New 42nd Street®, at the New Victory Theater®.

Nevermore was produced at New World Stages Off-Broadway in 2015 by Radio Mouse Entertainment (M. Kilburg Reedy and Jason E. Grossman), Martin Hummel, Caiola Productions (Rose Caiola and Luigi Caiola), Terry Schnuck, Susan Jaffe Tane, Hernreich-Horvath Productions (Robert Hernreich and Holly Horvath), and Catalyst Theatre, in association with co-producers Fireboat Productions (Gordon Stanley) and Meredith Lynsey Schade, and with associate producers Carol L. Bixler, Deepa Desai and Mary Cossette.