A prolific poet and writer of the 1800s, Edgar Allan Poe lived a short 40 years, and his life was filled with heartbreaking loss and discontent. When one delves into his life, there is no wonder as to how he was inspired to pen such dark and tragic poems and stories.
In 2015, Jonathon Christenson delved into Poe’s life and set it to music with the off-Broadway musical, Nevermore — The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, which is being staged this month by the Fort Lewis College Musical Theater Department in Durango.
Christenson interweaves Poe’s verse throughout the dialogue and musical numbers. In this production, there is more song verse than dialogue cleverly entwining real-life events with imaginary to help the audience understand how Poe went from a seemingly healthy young man into utter madness.
Travis Carlson portrays Poe in The Fort’s production, and he cleverly captures moments of pure joy and happiness, along with loss, sorrow, fear and lunacy. His voice is sometimes angelic as he acts out Poe’s youth. His best vocals are in the number “Israfel,” as he sings of the angel, with a perfect ensemble joining him.
The vocals of “The Raven” set to music help the audience see Poe’s descent into madness as a large raven dances around Carlson on the stage.
Carlson’s interactions with Jade Sophia, who portrays his adopted mother, Fanny Allan, are well done, and Sophia from the moment she steps on stage demands the audience’s attention with her performance, superb vocals and flawless acting ability.
The audience also is treated to more than one antagonist marring Poe’s life. One is Jock Allen, his adopted father who ultimately abandoned him in his youth, portrayed with finesse by Ethan Vichek. In the scene Vichek and Carlson share, the actors manage to create a sense of fear, followed by playfulness and ending in sorrow and loss.
Carlson also performs opposite Maya Mouret, who is Poe’s first love Elmira Royster. The pair are perfect together. Mouret channels a Wednesday Addams’ vibe but makes it her own. They are reminiscent of the first goth couple, with memorable interactions.
There is a newcomer to The Fort’s theater, Katelyn Bowie, who graduated from Durango High School last year. She shines in the role of Sissy as well as in several ensemble characters she portrayed.
There was not a weak link in the entire cast. The ensemble moved like a tight-knit unit flowing together to make this one of the strongest performances brought to The Fort by artistic director and music director Michael McKelvey, who always delivers.
McKelvey, along with lighting designer James Padilla, created a simple set and with dramatic lighting to focus more attention upon the actors and the action taking place on the stage.
The production team also backs McKelvey up with fabulous choreography by Suzy DiSanto, unique and unusual wigs from Sunny Bowen-Marshall, and an almost French Pierrot sad clown-type makeup from Jordan Curley.
Nevermore is not to be missed. It is enjoyable for Poe fans and musical fans alike.
Well done to the entire cast!