POE: The Raven-Winged Hours
A macabre multimedia fever-dream envisioning the surreal final hours
of Edgar Allan Poe
“The Raven-Winged Hours” explores tormented
and blissful hallucinations of the dying poet
as he careens between despair and ecstasy.
Accompanied by Gothic melodrama, music, poetry,
and demons of his own creation,
Poe travels to the ends of the Earth
seeking eternal beauty beyond the grave.
A sampling of songs and poetry from the play
The Raven-Winged Hours Podcast
In collaboration with composer, actor and tenor Lawrence Rush, who wrote the music and performed all the characters. Poe's poetry was performed by Louis Biggie.
Episode 1: A Dream Within A Dream
Edgar Poe lies dying in a hospital of horrors. In his delirium, the sounds of the hospital merge with his dreams of a doctor and nurse as gods who may yet save his life. This episode includes Poe’s poem “A Dream Within a Dream.”
Episode 2: She Looked Into Infinity
Poe encounters the Moon goddess in the form of his own literary creation, Ligeia. While mourning at his wife's grave, he’s attacked by a deranged fan. This episode includes Poe’s poems “The Lake” and “The Sleeper.”
Episode 3: Beneath The Cold Moon
Ligeia and Poe conduct a ceremony of Magick and begin a journey to the ends of the Earth. Dream-land melds with the nightmare of his hospital room. This episode includes Poe’s poem “The Haunted Palace.”
Episode 4: Deliriously Sweet, Teardrops Fall
In the hospital, a sudden turn of events bleeds into Poe’s secret journey. The Imp of the Perverse takes command, compelling Poe to confess a guilty secret. This episode includes Poe’s poems “To Helen” and “To One in Paradise.”
Episode 5: The Pain
A midnight visitor comes tapping at Poe’s chamber door. Poe relives the tragic death of Virginia. He reveals the vow they made on her deathbed, which has tormented him ever since. This episode includes Poe’s poem “A Dream.”
Episode 6: The Ray Of Sunken Suns
The Imp of the Perverse mocks Poe’s dream of an afterlife. Poe becomes lost inside a nightmare, where he encounters another monster from his writings. This episode includes Poe’s poem “Dream-Land.”
Episode 7: A Dreamer in the Moonbeam
In the library of an old decaying mansion, Poe wakes into a nightmare of Virginia's ghost. In the hospital, his Nurse tries to rescue him from the Doctor’s evil plans. This episode includes Poe’s poem “The Valley of Unrest.”
Episode 8: Truth Is A Lie
Poe and Ligeia reach the Antarctic Pole. The Nurse confronts an intruder in Poe’s hospital room. The Doctor reveals his true intentions. This episode includes Poe’s poem “Alone.”
Episode 9: In The Deep Sky
Inside the ice cave, Poe finds secret things. But more experiences await him beyond Death. This episode includes Poe’s poems “The Conqueror Worm” excerpts, “The City in the Sea” and “Spirits of the Dead.”
Episode 10: The Raven-Winged Hours
Virginia’s ghost helps Poe's lost soul to recall their life together. He remembers the mystery and terror of dying. A new Eternity has begun.
Excerpts from the play
O Human Love
Go to sleep... sweet dreams
The Beyond
O Pity Me
