Last week I went to this awesome reading/play. I'm not sure what to call it. Maybe a theatrical interpretation of Edgar Allen Poe's short stories. That's a long definition though. At the Joslyn Castle in Omaha, during the month of October, the Metro Community College Theater Department is putting on plays of 5 works of Edgar Allen Poe.
     I was really interested in how they would turn Poe's short stories into plays. They did an amazing job! Most of Poe's works read like interior monologues so they worked perfectly for short one acts of 1-3 actors. The audience moves around to different rooms of the castle for each story, so in four different rooms four audiences are seeing a different story(ies) then each audience moves to their next room/play. The audiences are guided by an actor who recites a work of Poe's poetry before each story.
     The Joslyn Castle is a beautiful home built in 1903. It has thirty-five rooms including a ballroom. Needless to say, I was excited to go just to see the Castle. The historic site provided a perfect, eerie backdrop to Poe's chilling tales. My favorite story-come-to-life was "The Fall of the House of Usher." Creepy just to read. Goosebump-giving to see acted out. Roderick was rocking back and forth, screaming. Madeline stalked, zombie-like, stringy hair falling around her face, through the room, shuffling so close to the audience. Dim lights lit the rooms, curtains drawn against the dark night. The old Castle creaked. The shrieks of the other plays going on in other rooms echoed up and down the winding staircases. Perfect for October and Halloween moods.
     I love exploring historic and old homes and also really enjoy seeing how other artists interpret works that I've read. I think the Metro Theater nailed Poe's work. The evening was enjoyable as a reader and as a person who likes a few chills this time of year. If you live in the Omaha area, check it out!  http://www.joslyncastle.com/events/publicevents/