Baltimore's Poe Theatre Premieres 'A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe' This December

The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre will premiere "A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe" at Baltimore's Motor House Theater this December, marking a creative fusion of two literary giants that promises to become a new holiday tradition for the city. The production represents a significant cultural investment in Baltimore's arts scene, supported by a grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts through the Creative Baltimore Fund.

Written by Zac Pensol, both the playwright and the theatre organization are past winners of The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival "Saturday Visiter" Award, lending credibility to this ambitious theatrical endeavor. The play reimagines Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale through the lens of Edgar Allan Poe's life, specifically focusing on his final days with his beloved wife Virginia Clemm and the profound lessons about love and happiness he discovered during one fateful December night.

"This innovative new production is destined to be a Baltimore holiday tradition," said Poe Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich, who also appears in the cast. "It's exactly what it sounds like: A mashup of the life of Edgar Allan Poe and the structure of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.'" Zavistovich emphasized that "'A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe' is a new spin on a timeless classic that's perfect for Baltimore," highlighting the city's deep connection to Poe's legacy.

The production features an entirely Baltimore-based cast including Jade Green, Oz Heiligman, Sarah Bella Joyce, Rocky Nunzio, Anthony Parker, Ian Blackwell Rogers, Mallory Shear, and Alex Zavistovich. Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Mark Kamie as director, Adam R. Adkins as assistant director, and Katherine Ross as production manager, with additional contributions from Ronald Malone, James Raymond, James D. Watson III, Andy Walling, Sarah Bella Joyce, and Siobhan Beckett handling various technical aspects.

The play's 12-performance run from December 5 through December 21 offers multiple viewing opportunities across three weekends. Tickets are available through www.poetheatre.org or https://ticketstripe.com/events/592107736357896, making this unique theatrical experience accessible to Baltimore residents and visitors alike.

This production represents more than just entertainment—it demonstrates how public arts funding can foster innovative cultural programming that celebrates local history while creating new traditions. The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the only company worldwide dedicated to adapting Poe's works across multiple platforms, continues its mission of keeping literary heritage alive through contemporary interpretations. Their previous success with the award-winning "Poe Theatre on the Air" series, carried on National Public Radio and multiple digital platforms, establishes their credibility in reimagining classic literature for modern audiences.

The timing of this December production during the holiday season positions it as both a cultural event and a potential economic driver for Baltimore's arts tourism. By blending the familiar structure of Dickens' Christmas classic with the haunting legacy of Poe, the theatre creates a production that appeals to both literary enthusiasts and holiday traditionalists, potentially drawing audiences who might not typically attend theatrical performances.