The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre has commissioned a groundbreaking theatrical production that merges Charles Dickens' beloved holiday story with the life of America's celebrated horror writer. 'A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe' represents an innovative approach to seasonal theater, combining two literary giants in a production that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption during the holiday season.
Written by Zac Pensol, a past winner of The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival 'Saturday Visiter' Award, the play reimagines Dickens' classic structure through the lens of Poe's personal tragedies. The production follows Poe's life story up to the final days of his wife Virginia Clemm, using the framework of 'A Christmas Carol' to examine the lessons he learned about love and happiness during a fateful December night. This creative fusion offers audiences a fresh perspective on both literary figures while maintaining the emotional depth of their original works.
The production's importance extends beyond mere entertainment, representing a significant cultural investment in Baltimore's arts scene. Made possible through a grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts' Creative Baltimore Fund, the play demonstrates how public funding can support innovative artistic ventures that blend historical storytelling with contemporary theatrical techniques. This partnership between public arts funding and specialized theatrical organizations creates opportunities for unique productions that might not otherwise reach audiences.
Performances will take place at Baltimore's Motor House Theater located at 120 W North Ave, with the show running for twelve performances across three weekends from December 5 through December 21. The cast features Baltimore-based actors including Jade Green, Oz Heiligman, Sarah Bella Joyce, Rocky Nunzio, Anthony Parker, Ian Blackwell Rogers, Mallory Shear, and Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich. Behind-the-scenes talent includes Mark Kamie as director, with additional creative contributions from Adam R. Adkins, Katherine Ross, Ronald Malone, James Raymond, James D. Watson III, Andy Walling, and Siobhan Beckett.
Tickets for the production are available through the organization's website at https://www.poetheatre.org or via the ticketing platform at https://ticketstripe.com/events/592107736357896. The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, represents the only company worldwide dedicated exclusively to adapting Poe's works across multiple platforms including stage productions, radio dramas, and educational programming. Their award-winning 'Poe Theatre on the Air' series has reached audiences through National Public Radio, WYPR-FM, and various digital platforms including Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.
This production's significance lies in its potential to establish a new Baltimore holiday tradition while expanding the boundaries of how literary classics can be reinterpreted for modern audiences. By combining the familiar structure of Dickens' Christmas morality tale with the tragic romance of Poe's personal history, the play offers audiences both comfort and challenge during the holiday season. The production represents how regional theater can contribute to cultural conversations about art, history, and the human experience while supporting local artistic talent and engaging community resources.
