They were two literary titans, American originals, born in Massachusetts in the early nineteenth century. Although they lived very different lives, they had certain fundamental things in common. They were both tortured souls who could not escape their demons. They both wrote frequently about death and sorrow and loss, yet they seemed to derive their greatest pleasure from their work.
Given their preoccupations,
Emily Dickinson
and
Edgar Allan Poe
might have had a lot to talk about had they ever met, which they never did. But
Joseph McDonough
rectifies that in
Edgar & Emily
, which receives its world premiere at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Saturday evening, March 31. PBD Producing Artistic Director
William Hayes
directs the play, which runs through April 22, with specially priced previews on March 28 and 29.
In this comic fantasia set in January, 1864 – almost 15 years after Poe’s death – the reclusive Dickinson, an emerging poet, is unexpectedly visited by a desperate, and apparently very much alive Poe. As they banter and bicker and slowly reveal themselves to one another, each in their own way provides the other with encouragement and courage.
Edgar & Emily
stars
Gregg Weiner
as Poe and
Margery Lowe
as Dickinson.
Scenic design is by
Michael Amico
, costume design is by
Brian O’Keefe
, lighting design is by
Paul Black
, and sound design
is by
David Thomas
.
Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theatre and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Evening performances of
Edgar & Emily
are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30PM, Friday and Saturday at 8PM, and Sunday at 7PM. Matinee performances are on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2PM. Post-performance discussions follow Wednesday matinee and Sunday evening performances. Individual tickets are $75, with specially priced preview tickets at $55 and Opening Night tickets at $90. Student tickets are available for $15, and Pay Your Age tickets are available for those 18-40. Tickets for educators are half price with proper ID (other restrictions apply). Group rates for 20 or more and discounted season subscriptions are also available.
The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042, or visit
www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
.
