A Thrilling Twist

Edgar Allan Poe, a last minute change of plans, and a complete reworking of our Halloween show in Boston

Folks,

It’s been a wild few weeks (more on that to follow). But one of the highlights (lowlights) was losing Nicholas Efstathiou from our upcoming Savage WonderGround Halloween show in Boston.

As you all probably remember, Nick’s period horror stories were the backbone of GHOST STORY, the immersive art show we’ve been building for the past seven months. But when he called me to say that some personal stuff was going to keep him from doing the show, I knew it had to be for the better. Nick’s had a rough few months himself and whatever he needs to do is more than fine by me. And with Amy Sexauer, Ben Fortier, Ayman Kafel, Dave Campisano and, of course, Dex, I was pretty confident the show wouldn’t suffer.

I just had to figure out what the hell the show needed to be now.

Nick had generously said we could still use his material, but, if you know Nick’s writing - he really should be the one to read it. As the utility player, stepping into the lineup on this, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable speaking his words.

So here’s what I needed: a veteran, a horror writer, and someone whose work would still integrate seamlessly with the rich poetry, live music and live painting everyone else was bringing to the stage. And that’s when I remembered that…

Edgar Allan Poe was a veteran. Yeah, seriously. He enlisted early, lied about his age, made Sergeant Major in two years (it was the 1820s, whatever) and then went to West Point where he was kicked out (and court martialed) after piling up over 100 infractions (and he was only “among” the worst at West Point then, go figure).

But that was enough for me to pick his timeless classic THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER to anchor our show. For one thing, the THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER is believed to be inspired by a house located just four blocks from our venue,* the private performance space that's only half a block from the historic Boston Commons. It's as if the stars have aligned to merge our show with Poe's eerie masterpiece.

And the essence of the show remains intact. We're still going to feature the poetry of Ben Fortier, Amy Sexauer, Ayman Kafel, and Dave Campisano, Ben Fortier’s guitar riffs and the live painting of Dex to create a truly immersive take on Poe’s classic. You can expect to follow a stunning interpretation of Poe’s narrative told in music, spoken word, poetry, and visual art as you journey with us through three floors of our hauntingly appropriate private venue.*

Given the change, I’ll be stepping into the breach to read Poe's work. It's a role I'm looking forward to with great enthusiasm, and I can't wait to share this incredible journey with you.

And of course, the festivities don't end with the performance. Our sponsor, Second Mission Foundation, will still launch Ayman Kafel's book, THE RESOLUTE PATH, ensuring that the night continues to be a journey into the realms of both horror and art. We'll have an open bar and hors d'oeuvres to keep the spirits high.

Remember, tickets are limited and free, but RSVP is required. Gentlemen, don your jackets or costumes, and ladies, opt for business attire or costumes to fit the immersive atmosphere.

So there you have it—a twist worthy of the best suspense stories. The stage is set, the performers are ready, and the unexpected is waiting to thrill and chill you. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary night where art, horror, and the spirit of Halloween merge into an unforgettable experience.

For those who love the thrill of the unknown, this is your chance. RSVP now, and mark your calendar for a Halloween night like no other.

- Chris

*Since this event will be held at a private location, we'll provide the exact address upon your RSVP confirmation.