Nevermore to close early at New World Stages

The off-Broadway musical play Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, written, composed, and directed by Catalyst Theatre's Artistic Director, Jonathan Christenson, has announced an early closure at New World Stages. The production began previews on 14 January 2015, before an official opening on 25 January, and was previously booking through to 31 May 2015. It will now play its final performance on 29 March 2015.

Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe is about "the enigmatic writer who has fascinated the world for more than a century. A literary rock star in his day, Poe struggled with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produced some of the world's most original, visionary and enduring literature before dying in mysterious circumstances at the age of 40. At once gorgeous and grotesque, Nevermore blurs the line between fact and fiction, exploring the events that shaped Poe's character and career and giving powerful expression to Poe's words 'all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.'"

The musical play features six original cast members, Gaelan Beatty, Shannon Blanchett, Beth Graham, Ryan Parker, Garett Ross, and Scott Shpeley, with the seventh and final cast member to be announced at a later date.

It also features choreography by Laura Krewski, sound design by Wade Staples and sets, costumes, and lighting design by Bretta Gerecke.

Since its off-Broadway run in 2010 at the New Victory Theatre, several new songs have been added along with a revision of the original script. It was originally produced by Catalyst Theatre of Edmonton, Canada in 2009 and has since toured internationally, including a sold out limited engagement at London's Barbican Center.

- by Tom Millward