National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre Commissions Dickens-Inspired Poe Biographical Play

The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre has commissioned an innovative theatrical production titled 'A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe,' which merges Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale with the life story of America's master of horror. Written by Zac Pensol, a past winner of The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival 'Saturday Visiter' Award, the play explores Poe's life up to the final days of his wife Virginia Clemm. According to Poe Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich, the production examines 'the lessons he learned about love and happiness one fateful December night' through the lens of Dickens' supernatural visitation narrative, representing a creative fusion of literary traditions that reimagines Poe's biography through the structural framework of Dickens' beloved Christmas story.

The production will run for 12 performances at Baltimore's Motor House Theater from December 5 through December 21, 2025, with evening shows at 8 pm and matinees at 2 pm across three weekends in December. The show's development was supported by a grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts through their Creative Baltimore Fund, highlighting the local significance of this cultural initiative. Zavistovich describes the production as 'destined to be a Baltimore holiday tradition' and 'a new spin on a timeless classic that's perfect for Baltimore,' emphasizing how this theatrical work connects Poe's legacy with Baltimore's cultural identity while creating new holiday traditions for the community.

Featuring a cast of Baltimore-based actors including Jade Green, Oz Heiligman, Sarah Bella Joyce, Rocky Nunzio, Anthony Parker, Ian Blackwell Rogers, Mallory Shear, and Alex Zavistovich, the production emphasizes local talent and community engagement. The creative team includes Mark Kamie as director, with Adam R. Adkins serving as assistant director and Katherine Ross as production manager, while technical elements include set design by James Raymond, sound design by James D. Watson III, lighting design by Andy Walling, costumes by Sarah Bella Joyce, and makeup by Siobhan Beckett, with Ronald Malone serving as stage manager. This collaborative effort demonstrates how regional theater can showcase local artists while interpreting classic literature through innovative frameworks.

Tickets for the production are available through https://www.poetheatre.org or https://ticketstripe.com/events/592107736357896. The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre, which commissioned the work, is recognized as the only organization worldwide dedicated to adapting Poe's works across stage, radio, and educational platforms, making this production significant not only for its artistic innovation but also for its role in preserving and reinterpreting literary heritage through contemporary theatrical forms that engage new audiences with classic works.