OPFT'S "Madness of Edgar Allan Poe" Extended Though Nov. 21

Due to popular demand, Oak Park Festival Theatre’s 2021 “Jeff Recommended” production of David Rice’s immersive “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story” at Oak Park’s historic Pleasant Home, originally scheduled to run through Nov. 7, has been extended two weeks and will now close on Nov. 21. The Wednesday Journal says, “Gray is outstanding as the unstable author, weaving in and out of quiet sanity to bursts of manic anguish;” and Around The Town says “Terrific directing by Bryan Wakefield makes this production a standout…5 Stars.” For more information visit oakparkfestival.com.

Five years after the death of his beloved wife, Edgar Allan Poe (played by Christian Gray) grapples with love and madness in this wildly innovative theater experience. The audience will follow the ghost of Virginia Poe (played by Erica Bittner) as she stirs up memories from beyond the grave, or follow Poe himself as he winds his way from “The Telltale Heart” to “The Pit and the Pendulum.” This unique performance composed of six of Poe’s poems and short stories leads audience members through historic Pleasant Home’s dark halls with a different tale of terror in every room. The Wednesday Journal hails Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production as “an exciting, captivating tale of love, heartbreak, and horror... a unique theater experience I think I will always remember.” And the Chicago Reader applauds the “universally high level of performance brings out the best in Poe...Christian Gray is especially sublime as Poe.”

The cast for “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe” includes Christian Gray* (Edgar Allan Poe/Verdon/Prospero) and Erica Bittner (Virginia Poe/Ligeia) with Will Burdin (The Madman), Ian Michael Minh (Fortunato), Dina Monk (Officer/Angelo), Sara Rachel Schol (Luciana), Jillian Patterson (Helena/Rowena), Drew Straub (Soldier/Monk) and Noah Villareal (The Prisoner). (Note for the two-week extension, Drew Straub will replace Dina Monk as The Officer and Sara Copeland will replace Drew Straub in the Ensemble.)

The design team includes Bryan Wakefield (Director), Sarah Rachel Schol (Assistant Director), Rachel Lambert (Costume Design), Michael McNamara (Lighting Design), Garrett Bell (Associate Lighting Design) and Christopher Kriz (Sound Design). Stage Manager is Sarah West and Assistant Stage Manager is Rae Segbawu.

Pleasant Home is a historic property owned by the Park District of Oak Park. It is considered one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School Architecture in the nation and is operated by the Pleasant Home Foundation as a living museum. The house was designed in 1897 by noted architect George W. Maher for investment banker and philanthropist John W. Farson and his wife Mamie Ashworth Farson. The 30-room architectural gem is a showcase of 19th-century craftsmanship and artistry, with rich custom woodwork throughout the location, extraordinary art glass windows, a massive fireplace, intricate woodcarvings, and tile work. Pleasant Home is listed on The National Register of Historic Places and is an Oak Park Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

Oak Park Festival Theatre presents David Rice’s “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story” at Pleasant Home, 217 Home Avenue, in Oak Park now through Nov. 21. Performances are 8 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday); 1 p.m. (Saturday) and 3 and 8 p.m. (Sunday). Tickets are general admission. Ticket price: $44. Special pricing is available for students, seniors, and groups over 10. Parking option is street parking.

Due to the close proximity of this immersive experience, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all ticket holders. Audience will be required to wear facemasks throughout the performance. Children 12 and under are not permitted. For tickets or more information, visit oakparkfestival.com.

Please note: There is seating for every patron attending the show. There are handrails on each of the staircases, but for those who wish to avoid stairs, there is an accessibility room on the main floor where they can view the two internal scenes set on the second and third floor on a monitor. Each scene is approximately 15-20 minutes in length and attendees are requested to remain seated during a scene. Audience will need to claim their ticket at least 5 minutes before curtain: any tickets unclaimed within 5 minutes of the show will be released to those on the waitlist. Run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.