The Raven flies into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in A Poe Cabaret

CBC Radio’s Tom Allen brings the work of Edgar Allen Poe and Claude Debussy to the Community Studio Theatre 

No two artists better embody the cold and darkness of Halloween and the approaching winter, than poet Edgar Allen Poe and composer Claude Debussy. Burlington theatre patrons can welcome the gathering darkness of November with A Poe Cabaret, performed at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Community Studio Theatre on Sunday, November 8.

Narrated by CBC host, concert host, trombonist and author Tom Allen, A Poe Cabaret combines the compelling and tragic life story of Edgar Allan Poe with great music conjured in his honour. Tickets are $39, or $34 for BPAC Members.

“Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems have remained consistently popular for over 150 years because they use gripping imagery and powerful suspense to address some of the basic truths of our existence,” Allen said. “The music on the show was composed by brilliant artists — Claude Debussy, Andre Caplet and the wonderful Canadian composer Alexina Louie – and helps to make that gripping imagery all the more captivating.”

The evening is haunted by three of Poe’s greatest stories: the crumbling gothic shadows of The Fall of the House of Usher, the cautionary quarantine epic The Masque of Red Death and a startling musical setting of Poe’s greatest success, and deepest heartbreak – The Raven.

Through story-telling, poetry and riveting music performed on harp and string quartet, A Poe Cabaret will bring the chilling life and art of Edgar Allan Poe in from the cold.

“Poetry and strings set the mood for a gothic, intense and beautiful experience at the theatre,” said BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox. “With our health and safety precautions in place, this is just the latest powerful and unique show we have been able to showcase at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre this Fall.”

“The wonderful players in this program are all brilliant performing artists, who, in the course of normal life, would be preparing hours of thrilling orchestral and chamber music every single week,” said Allen. “Each of these great artists has devoted their lives to music, and now, these two performances represent one of the only opportunities they’ve had to play anything, anywhere. Quite simply, we are all thrilled this is happening and can’t wait to be there with you.”

 

Health and Safety Precautions 

BPAC is perfectly positioned to welcome back audiences with patron safety at the forefront, with its spacious Lobby, increased ventilation, physical-distancing ticketing system and additional health and safety measures to put theatregoers’ minds at ease.

All patrons must wear a mask, hand sanitize upon entry and maintain social distancing outside of their social circle. Patrons are expected to self-screen, and of course to stay at home if experiencing COVID-related symptoms or if suspecting recent exposure to the virus. Health and safety measures are also being implemented backstage to protect artists, and throughout the venue to protect staff and volunteers.

Musical Program: 

The Raven for narrator, harp and string quartet by Alexina Louie.
Conte Fantastique by André Caplet.
String Quartet by Claude Debussy.

 

Cast: 

Tom Allen, narrator
Lori Gemmell, harp
Sheila Jaffé, violin
Bethany Bergman, violin
Emily Eng, viola
Kerri McGonigle, cello

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
A Poe Cabaret, Featuring Tom Allen and Friends
November 8, 2020 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Community Studio Theatre
440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario 

Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000  |  https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/a-poe-cabaret/  

Tickets: Regular $39 / Members $34

The full schedule of BPAC Presents events is available here:
burlingtonpac.ca/bpacpresents

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