Celebrate All Saints Day with Poe

COEUR d'ALENE - The cry of ravens and the thumping of unseen hearts brings chills to the spine and thoughts of American poet and author Edgar Allan Poe to the mind.

This Halloween weekend, for one night only, Lake City Playhouse will present "A Night of Poe," an evening of readings, dance performances and original artwork centered on Poe's works.

"It's evolved over the years," said LCP's artistic director George Green. He said several of Poe's famous works, including "The Tell-Tale Heart," have been highlighted in the past. This is the fourth year for "A Night of Poe."

The evening serves as a fundraising event for the playhouse and will feature original music by LCP's resident musical director Zack Baker, special guest performances and readings from Troy Nickerson, Andrew Ware Lewis, Jadd Davis, Marianne McLaughlin, Lance E. Babbitt, Caitlin Duffey-McLennan and Patrick McHenry-Kroetch with guest percussionist Robbie Frazer.

This year, a visual art composition will be added as local artist Stephen Shortridge creates a piece of art on stage, inspired by Poe and the emotions felt throughout the night. The piece he creates will be auctioned at the end of the almost two-hour show.

Green said Halloween is a fitting time for Poe's works.

"He has lots of wonderful pieces that are not necessarily dark, but the public thinks about dark times and dark emotions around Edgar Allan," he said.

"A Night of Poe" begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 and available at www.lakecityplayhouse.org.