BWW Reviews: Haunting Performance of EDGAR ALLAN POE'S NEVERMORE

Music Theatre of Madison continued their 2012-2013 season with a musical about the life of poet Edgar Allen Poe entitled Nevermore. With music by Matt Conner and book by Grace Barnes, the show was absolutely haunting, not leaving out any of the dark qualities of Poe's life. The show centralizes around not just Poe, but the women in his life. From his wife, to his mother, to his childhood love, these women brought out the ghosts in Poe more than they might have known, which is made very clear through the book and then clearly reemphasized through the music. I have never before seen such a haunting and intimate show in the City of Madison, a very refreshing change of pace.

This particular production, directed by Catie O'Donnell, with music direction by Jakob Aebly and choreography by Marsha Heuer, definitely brought the score to life. At many points throughout the show I found myself getting chills from the absolutely stunning performance by Matt Fayfer as Poe and his supporting women. One particularly memorable moment in the show was the trio Poe shares with his mother and mother-in-law, Muddy entitled "To My Mother." Haunting and bone chilling being the only words that may do the performance of this number justice. All of the cast members developed multi-dimensional characters that darkened greatly by the end of the show, a beautiful and tragic downward spiral to observe as an audience member.

There is talk of a potential remount of Edgar Allen Poe's Nevermore by MTM this Halloween, a rumor yet to be confirmed. MTM will finish their season of delivering lesser-known musicals to the Madison area with Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. More information at www.mtmadison.com.

Photo Credit: Music Theatre of Madison