Creative Cauldron Presents 'Eddie Allan Poe'

Friday marks the opening performance of Creative Cauldron’s newest production, Eddie Allan Poe. The family-friendly musical will run at ArtSpace Falls Church for three weekends.  

Creative Cauldron, the non-profit arts organization that manages and operates ArtSpace, will present the production designed for younger audiences with original music by critically acclaimed composer Matt Conner.

Conner has been a teaching artist with Creative Cauldron for 10 years and has written music for other shows at the Cauldron including The Selfish Giant and October’s smash hit .

Learn more about Eddie Allan Poe in this Q&A with Conner.

What inspired you to write the music for Eddie Allan Poe? Who did you collaborate with? Who are the other major players that helped create this unique production?

Eddie Allan Poe has sprung from the success of Nevermore. I thought a look at Edgar Allan Poe from a child's perspective would be an amazing experience for all. I have collaborated with book writer Stephen Gregory Smith and of course the other major player would be Laura Connors Hull, the Artistic Director at Creative Cauldron at Artspace Falls Church. I joined forces with Stephen Gregory because of our past experiences. We have written several shows together including The Night of the Living Dead which will be premiering in Kensington, Maryland at KAT in the fall of 2012.

When did you write the music for the kid-friendly production? How long did the creative process take?

I have worked on the music for this particular project since August. We collaborate with the children in the show during a workshop experience so a lot of the actual writing and ideas come from them.

Was it challenging to transition from more adult material to a production that is appropriate for children? What was that experience like?

It was a little challenging to figure out how to tell these dark tales of horror into something that was actually reaching the entire family but I think what we have come up with is something that is a combination of The Addams Family and Harry Potter. The experience has been truly amazing and wonderful. Once again, working with these brilliance kids that are so excited to create something new is always so inspiring.

How would you describe the plot of this production?  

The story takes place at The Edgar Allan Poe Academy where the children are practicing an annual show where to their dismay they soon learn that the show has to be cancelled because ticket sales are too low. The children soon rally to find a solution to their problem, including their own brand new updated version of "The Tell-Tale Cell Phone" and "The Pit and the Pendulum Ballet.”

What stands out most about this particular cast of student performers and professional actors? Is there a particular song or scene in which the actors truly shine?  

What stands out in this particular project is probably a wonderful combination of this time of year where going to a ghostly, darker place is so fun. The children as well as the adults are quick to slip into the shadowy tales which has helped the rehearsal process so much. I think the children really shine and have fun during their "The Tell-Tale Cell Phone.”

What would you say to local theatergoers and families to entice them to come see Eddie Allan Poe this weekend?

I would like to encourage everyone in the Falls Church community and also neighboring communities to firstly support local theatre and secondly to take advantage of this time of year and come see something fun for the entire family. Eddie Allan Poe leaves you laughing and it leaves you talking about history, literature and the past.   

Friday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. - Sunday, Nov. 20, times vary; $12-$15
410 South Maple Ave.; (571) 239-5288