Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe

Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe by Jonathan Christenson

(12)
Productions (65)
Musical
|
115 - 125 minutes
3 W, 4 M,  (7-45 actors possible: 3-20 W, 4-25 M)
Set: Flexible and minimal, with an upstage area where images from Edgar's dreams appear.

This unique and wildly theatrical musical combines haunting music and poetic storytelling to chronicle the fascinating life of iconic American writer Edgar Allan Poe. A literary rock star of his day, Poe struggles with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produces some of the world's most original, visionary and enduring literature before dying in unexplained circumstances at the age of 40. At once gorgeous and grotesque, Nevermore explores the events that shape Poe's character and career, blurring the line between fact and fiction--after all, as Poe himself writes, "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." Read More

Play Details

This unique and wildly theatrical musical combines haunting music and poetic storytelling to chronicle the fascinating life of iconic American writer Edgar Allan Poe. A literary rock star of his day, Poe struggles with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produces some of the world's most original, visionary and enduring literature before dying in unexplained circumstances at the age of 40. At once gorgeous and grotesque, Nevermore explores the events that shape Poe's character and career, blurring the line between fact and fiction--after all, as Poe himself writes, "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

For further information, please visit: www.nevermoreshow.com

Licensing for original costume design is available; contact Playscripts for details.

  • Musical
  • |
  • 115 - 125 minutes
  • 3 W, 4 M,  (7-45 actors possible: 3-20 W, 4-25 M)
  • Set: Flexible and minimal, with an upstage area where images from Edgar's dreams appear.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-68069-988-3

Package Details

Production Packages Include

  • 10 librettos (the book and lyrics)
  • 10 Vocal Score
  • 2 Piano/Vocal Score
  • 1 orchestral set (optional) including:
    • 1 Piano/Conductor Score
    • 1 Bass Score
    • 1 Cello Score
    • 1 Drum Score
    • 1 Guitar Score
    • 1 Keyboard 2 Score
    • 1 Keyboard 3 Score
    • 1 Violin Score

Pricing and other details are provided during the order process. Higher quantities of some items may be purchased.

Orchestral Parts

1 Piano/Conductor Score
1 Bass Score
1 Cello Score
1 Drum Score
1 Guitar Score
1 Keyboard 2 Score
1 Keyboard 3 Score
1 Violin Score

Published Reviews

"Exquisitely stylish . . . a gothic fantasia."

The New York Times

"Theatrical genius! Reminds you of Tim Burton gone wild."

The Calgary Herald

"Wildly imaginative and utterly inspired! Not to be missed."

The Vancouver Sun

"A masterpiece."

The Londonist

"Four stars! Achieves the atmosphere of a vivid, unsettling dream."

The London Telegraph

"Wonderfully creepy and mesmerizing."

The Huffington Post

"Startling, beautiful, and haunting."

Theatremania

Production History

MAY 02, 2024 - MAY 03, 2024
ORiGiN Theatrical (Penrith High School)
Penrith, NSW Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (Penrith High School) Penrith, NSW Australia
OCT 20, 2023 - NOV 12, 2023
Evergreen Players
Evergreen, CO United States
Evergreen Players Evergreen, CO United States
OCT 05, 2023 - OCT 14, 2023
Cat's Paw Productions Society
Penticton, BC Canada
Cat's Paw Productions Society Penticton, BC Canada
APR 13, 2023 - APR 15, 2023
Sullivan High School
Sullivan, MO United States
Sullivan High School Sullivan, MO United States
OCT 28, 2022 - NOV 06, 2022
MPM Conservatory
Mansfield, TX United States
MPM Conservatory Mansfield, TX United States
MAR 24, 2022 - MAR 27, 2022
Columbia Middle School
Columbia, IL United States
Columbia Middle School Columbia, IL United States
DEC 01, 2021 - DEC 04, 2021
ORiGiN Theatrical (Grey Lantern Productions)
East Perth, Western Australia Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (Grey Lantern Productions) East Perth, Western Australia Australia
DEC 01, 2021 - DEC 04, 2021
ORiGiN Theatrical (Grey Lantern Productions)
East Perth, Western Australia Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (Grey Lantern Productions) East Perth, Western Australia Australia
NOV 10, 2021 - NOV 13, 2021
Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX United States
Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX United States
OCT 29, 2021 - OCT 30, 2021
Fredericksburg Theater Ensemble
Fredericksburg, VA United States
Fredericksburg Theater Ensemble Fredericksburg, VA United States
OCT 29, 2021 - OCT 31, 2021
Fredericksburg Theater Ensemble
Fredericksburg, VA United States
Fredericksburg Theater Ensemble Fredericksburg, VA United States
OCT 29, 2020 - NOV 01, 2020
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO United States
Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO United States
MAY 15, 2020 - MAY 15, 2020
Tbilisi International School
Tiblisi, Georgia
Tbilisi International School Tiblisi, Georgia
FEB 27, 2020 - FEB 28, 2020
Drama Department
North Las Vegas, NV United States
Drama Department North Las Vegas, NV United States
NOV 22, 2019 - NOV 23, 2019
Sturgis Brown High School
Sturgis, SD United States
Sturgis Brown High School Sturgis, SD United States
OCT 31, 2019 - OCT 31, 2019
Theatre Company of Saugus
Saugus, MA United States
Theatre Company of Saugus Saugus, MA United States
OCT 25, 2019 - NOV 03, 2019
Theatre Company of Saugus
Saugus, MA United States
Theatre Company of Saugus Saugus, MA United States
OCT 24, 2019 - NOV 15, 2019
Perry High School Theatre For The Performing Arts
PERRY, GA United States
Perry High School Theatre For The Performing Arts PERRY, GA United States
OCT 11, 2019 - OCT 13, 2019
Actors Reaching Out
Orlando, FL United States
Actors Reaching Out Orlando, FL United States
OCT 10, 2019 - OCT 20, 2019
The Haylofters
Burlington, WI United States
The Haylofters Burlington, WI United States
JUL 19, 2019 - JUL 28, 2019
Fly Arts Center.
Shelbyville, TN United States
Fly Arts Center. Shelbyville, TN United States
APR 26, 2019 - MAY 05, 2019
Tullahoma High School Theatre Dept.
Tullahoma, TN United States
Tullahoma High School Theatre Dept. Tullahoma, TN United States
JAN 18, 2019 - JAN 29, 2019
DMR Adventures
Charlottesville, VA United States
DMR Adventures Charlottesville, VA United States
OCT 25, 2018 - OCT 27, 2018
Patchwork Theatre Of Niagara
Niagara Falls, NY United States
Patchwork Theatre Of Niagara Niagara Falls, NY United States
OCT 25, 2018 - OCT 28, 2018
Arts Center Theater
Moultrie, GA United States
Arts Center Theater Moultrie, GA United States
OCT 25, 2018 - APR 07, 2019
Heritage High School
Lynchburg, VA United States
Heritage High School Lynchburg, VA United States
OCT 25, 2018 - NOV 10, 2018
Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Austin, TX United States
Doctuh Mistuh Productions Austin, TX United States
OCT 18, 2018 - OCT 27, 2018
Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre
Clearfield, PA United States
Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre Clearfield, PA United States
OCT 05, 2018 - OCT 14, 2018
VCYP/ACT2
Andrews, NC United States
VCYP/ACT2 Andrews, NC United States
AUG 10, 2018 - AUG 19, 2018
Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, Inc
South Fallsburg, NY United States
Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, Inc South Fallsburg, NY United States
MAR 15, 2018 - MAR 17, 2018
Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Jefferson, GA United States
Jackson County Comprehensive High School Jefferson, GA United States
MAR 15, 2018 - MAR 17, 2018
Terryville High School Drama Club
Terryville, CT United States
Terryville High School Drama Club Terryville, CT United States
JAN 20, 2018 - FEB 03, 2018
Valley High School
West Des Moines, IA United States
Valley High School West Des Moines, IA United States
JAN 20, 2018 - FEB 03, 2018
Valley High School
West Des Moines, IA United States
Valley High School West Des Moines, IA United States
JAN 12, 2018 - JAN 14, 2018
ASU School Of Music/Lyric Opera Theatre
Tempe, AZ United States
ASU School Of Music/Lyric Opera Theatre Tempe, AZ United States
JAN 12, 2018 - JAN 28, 2018
Playhouse Merced
Merced, CA United States
Playhouse Merced Merced, CA United States
JAN 05, 2018 - JAN 28, 2018
Black Button Eyes Productions
Chicago, IL United States
Black Button Eyes Productions Chicago, IL United States
OCT 20, 2017 - OCT 22, 2017
Hemlock Theatre Company
Staten Island, NY United States
Hemlock Theatre Company Staten Island, NY United States
OCT 06, 2017 - OCT 29, 2017
Mantorville Theatre Company
Mantorville, MN United States
Mantorville Theatre Company Mantorville, MN United States
JUL 21, 2017 - JUL 29, 2017
Scp/GREASEPAINT
SCOTTSDALE, AZ United States
Scp/GREASEPAINT SCOTTSDALE, AZ United States
MAY 04, 2017 - MAY 06, 2017
Round Lake High School Theatre
Round Lake, IL United States
Round Lake High School Theatre Round Lake, IL United States
APR 01, 2017 - APR 09, 2017
Strathcona High School
Edmonton, AB Canada
Strathcona High School Edmonton, AB Canada
JAN 30, 2017 - FEB 10, 2017
Northside High School
Warner Robins, GA United States
Northside High School Warner Robins, GA United States
JAN 13, 2017 - JAN 13, 2017
Parkway South High School
Ballwin, MO United States
Parkway South High School Ballwin, MO United States
OCT 30, 2016 - NOV 01, 2016
Northside High School
Warner Robins, GA United States
Northside High School Warner Robins, GA United States
OCT 28, 2016 - OCT 30, 2016
Dreamweavers Of West Tennessee
Savannah, TN United States
Dreamweavers Of West Tennessee Savannah, TN United States
OCT 21, 2016 - NOV 07, 2016
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
Decatur, IL United States
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre Decatur, IL United States
OCT 21, 2016 - NOV 05, 2016
Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Austin, TX United States
Doctuh Mistuh Productions Austin, TX United States
OCT 21, 2016 - NOV 13, 2016
Lucent Performing Arts Dba Ignite Theatre
Aurora, CO United States
Lucent Performing Arts Dba Ignite Theatre Aurora, CO United States
OCT 21, 2016 - NOV 10, 2016
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
Decatur, IL United States
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre Decatur, IL United States
OCT 20, 2016 - OCT 20, 2016
Parkway South High School
Ballwin, MO United States
Parkway South High School Ballwin, MO United States
AUG 05, 2016 - AUG 28, 2016
Green Valley Theatre Company
Sacramento, CA United States
Green Valley Theatre Company Sacramento, CA United States
JUL 07, 2016 - JUL 07, 2016
Skyline High School
Loveland, CO United States
Skyline High School Loveland, CO United States
JAN 14, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
New World Stages
New York, NY United States
New World Stages New York, NY United States
MAR 07, 2014 - MAR 07, 2014
District Arts Centre
Vernon, AB Canada
District Arts Centre Vernon, AB Canada
MAR 01, 2014 - MAR 15, 2014
Kay Meek Centre
North Vancouver, BC Canada
Kay Meek Centre North Vancouver, BC Canada
FEB 15, 2014 - MAR 01, 2014
Westbury Theatre
Edmonton, AB Canada
Westbury Theatre Edmonton, AB Canada
OCT 19, 2011 - NOV 06, 2011
Persephone Theatre
Saskatoon, SK United States
Persephone Theatre Saskatoon, SK United States
JAN 03, 2011 - FEB 07, 2011
Vertigo Mystery Theatre
Calgary, AB Canada
Vertigo Mystery Theatre Calgary, AB Canada
OCT 25, 2010 - NOV 07, 2010
New Victory Theatre
New York, NY United States
New Victory Theatre New York, NY United States
JUL 05, 2010 - JUL 10, 2010
Barbican Theatre
London, United Kingdom
Barbican Theatre London, United Kingdom
FEB 13, 2010 - FEB 21, 2010
Catalyst Theatre
Edmonton, AB Canada
Catalyst Theatre Edmonton, AB Canada
JAN 18, 2010 - FEB 06, 2010
Arts Club Theatre
Vancouver, BC Canada
Arts Club Theatre Vancouver, BC Canada
JUN 10, 2009 - JUN 12, 2009
Luminato at Winter Garden Theatre
Toronto, ON Canada
Luminato at Winter Garden Theatre Toronto, ON Canada
MAR 06, 2009 - JUN 06, 2009
National Arts Centre / Magnetic North
Ottowa, ON Canada
National Arts Centre / Magnetic North Ottowa, ON Canada
No upcoming productions.
JAN 05, 2018 - JAN 28, 2018
Black Button Eyes Productions
Chicago, IL United States
Black Button Eyes Productions Chicago, IL United States
OCT 21, 2016 - NOV 05, 2016
Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Austin, TX United States
Doctuh Mistuh Productions Austin, TX United States
JAN 14, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
New World Stages
New York, NY United States
New World Stages New York, NY United States
MAR 07, 2014 - MAR 07, 2014
District Arts Centre
Vernon, AB Canada
District Arts Centre Vernon, AB Canada
MAR 01, 2014 - MAR 15, 2014
Kay Meek Centre
North Vancouver, BC Canada
Kay Meek Centre North Vancouver, BC Canada
FEB 15, 2014 - MAR 01, 2014
Westbury Theatre
Edmonton, AB Canada
Westbury Theatre Edmonton, AB Canada
OCT 19, 2011 - NOV 06, 2011
Persephone Theatre
Saskatoon, SK United States
Persephone Theatre Saskatoon, SK United States
JAN 03, 2011 - FEB 07, 2011
Vertigo Mystery Theatre
Calgary, AB Canada
Vertigo Mystery Theatre Calgary, AB Canada
OCT 25, 2010 - NOV 07, 2010
New Victory Theatre
New York, NY United States
New Victory Theatre New York, NY United States
JUL 05, 2010 - JUL 10, 2010
Barbican Theatre
London, United Kingdom
Barbican Theatre London, United Kingdom
FEB 13, 2010 - FEB 21, 2010
Catalyst Theatre
Edmonton, AB Canada
Catalyst Theatre Edmonton, AB Canada
JAN 18, 2010 - FEB 06, 2010
Arts Club Theatre
Vancouver, BC Canada
Arts Club Theatre Vancouver, BC Canada
JUN 10, 2009 - JUN 12, 2009
Luminato at Winter Garden Theatre
Toronto, ON Canada
Luminato at Winter Garden Theatre Toronto, ON Canada
MAR 06, 2009 - JUN 06, 2009
National Arts Centre / Magnetic North
Ottowa, ON Canada
National Arts Centre / Magnetic North Ottowa, ON Canada

Awards (2)

Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding Original Score

Nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award Award for Outstanding Musical