Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor John Astin becomes the mysterious and tortured poet in "Edgar Allan Poe -- Once Upon a Midnight," Friday, June 7, 2002, 8:00 P.M. at the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts, 1035 Texas Street.
In a break from the role he is most famous for, Gomez Addams, and a recurring role as Buddy in "Night Court," Mr. Astin becomes the famous poet. With flashes of great humor and a tender, moving account of Poe's love affair with his wife, Virginia, Astin takes us through Poe's life and his frequent battles with himself, revealing both the horror and beauty of the demons that so profoundly influenced his work.
Audiences will experience Poe's treasures of literature as they erupt from the passion, mystery, and madness of Poe's life. "Once Upon a Midnight," is a consuming, powerful theatre piece. It will offer something enticing for every member of the audience, from Poe fans to the casual observer to the serious student of the theatre. "Astin is astonishing as Poe…His timing is impeccable and his technique is rock-solid. He is funny, touching, romantic and deeply stirring…Every true theater patron and student of drama will want to see this stunning performance by John Astin."-Kenneth Blount, Venice Gondolier.
Alan Bergmann directs this masterpiece. Mr. Bergmann's credits include "Barney Miller," "Family Ties," "Archie Bunker," and "Night Court" on television and "Dream Girl," "How Do You Live With Love," and Leonard Bernstein's "Trouble in Tahiti," on the stage.
Grammy Award-winner Ian Freebairn-Smith composed music for "Once Upon A Midnight." Mr. Freebairn-Smith has arranged and conducted for Lou Rawls, Liza Minelli, Frankie Avalon and Connie Stevens. His film composing and orchestrating credits include "The Muppet Movie," "A Star is Born," and "M*A*S*H."
"A great evening in the theatre. John Astin touches all the emotions in this dynamic portrayal of Edgar Allan Poe," says Bill Zwecker of the Chicago Sun Times and NBC. Come out and enjoy the endless benefits a night of theatre has to offer the entire family.
"Edgar Allan Poe-Once Upon a Midnight," comes to the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts, 1035 Texas Street, Friday, June 7, 2002 at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children/seniors. For more information or tickets, please contact City Hall at the Mall, lower level Westfield's Shoppingtown Solano (next to JC Penney), 707-428-7664.
Edgar Allen Poe: Complete Tales and Poems - This collection of 73 short stories and 48 poems includes such masterpieces as The Fall of the House of Usher, The Purloined Letter, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and Murders in the Rue Morgue.
Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe - This single volume brings together all of Poe's stories and poems, and illuminates the diverse and multifaceted genius of one of the greatest and most influential figures in American literary history.
Edgar Allan Poe by Jeffrey Meyers - This biography of Edgar Allan Poe, a giant of American Literature who invented both the horror and detective genre, is a portrait of extremes: a disinherited heir, a brilliant but underpaid author, a temperate man and uncontrollable addict.