Newnan Theatre Company Brings the Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe to the Stage in Original Production

Local writer Emily Kimbell, PhD, explores the man behind the macabre in Edgar: An Evening with Poe

For over a century and a half, Edgar Allan Poe’s works have captivated readers and inspired countless films, television shows, and books. His poems and short stories remain staples of literature classrooms, but the life behind these well-known works is less familiar to many readers.

Opening Thursday, October 15, Newnan Theatre Company will premiere Edgar: An Evening with Poe, an original play by local playwright Emily Kimbell, PhD, that offers a closer look at the life behind some of America’s most enduring literary works.

Featuring excerpts from The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, The Raven, Annabel Lee, and more, the production weaves Poe’s writing into the story of his life, connecting the people and experiences that shaped him with the works they inspired.

The play begins with the mysterious circumstances surrounding Poe’s death before unfolding through a series of flashbacks. Garrick Widdowson portrays the ghost of Poe, a spectral narrator who revisits his past, while Adrian Delgado, Quinn Evengeline, and Trenton Spears portray Poe at different stages of his life. Drawing on historical accounts of Poe’s reported visions and hallucinations before his death, the play offers a distinctive perspective on his final days and the events that shaped his life.

Dr. Kimbell got the idea for the production while searching for a Poe-related script for Newnan Theatre Company. Although many plays have been written about Poe, she couldn’t find one that focused on his life story and how his personal experiences influenced his writing. That gap inspired her to write an original script of her own.

“While many plays have been inspired by Poe, none examine his actual life story and the impact it made on his writing,” said Kimbell. “As a Poe fan, I want to hear his actual words and writings and know why he was inspired to write such haunting stories.”

Drawing on her doctoral training and research expertise, Kimbell examined letters, journal entries, photographs, and other archival materials to develop the script. The research revealed a deeply personal side of Poe and the people closest to him.

“The research process for this show was incredible,” Kimbell said. “The letters and diary entries written by Poe and his family and friends are every bit as haunting as his poems and short stories. It really gives a glimpse into the tortured soul that was Poe.”

Audiences will learn lesser-known details of Poe’s life, from his military service and time at West Point to the mysterious circumstances of his death. While the play takes minimal creative liberties for the stage, Kimbell has worked to stay as true to the historical record as possible.

“When writing about a historical figure, it is essential to let that person tell their own story,” Kimbell said. “That is the due diligence required of any historical writer. Learn about the person and let their spirit guide you as you relay their story.”

The original script is brought to the stage by director Crystal Booth, who makes her debut as head director with this production. A longtime Poe fan, Booth describes the experience as both a professional milestone and a deeply personal creative journey.

“There are moments in theatre when you realize you are doing more than putting on a show. You are bringing a vision to life, breathing life into a story, and creating something that will remain with people long after the final curtain,” Booth said. “An Evening with Poe has been that experience for me in every possible way.”

The cast, featuring both Newnan Theatre Company veterans and newcomers, has worked to bring this original production to life from the ground up. For the creative team, building the world of a new play has been a particularly rewarding experience.

“There is something truly extraordinary about being the first to design a set for an original work—to look at a blank space and see what it could become, to imagine the world that exists beyond the page, and then to watch that vision slowly take shape before your eyes,” Booth said. “It is a little bit of magic, a little bit of madness, and an awful lot of heart.”

Edgar: An Evening with Poe opens Thursday, October 10, and runs for two weekends, October 15–18 and October 22–25. The production is sponsored by SMB Law, PC, Attorney Susan Brown.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, audiences can enhance their theatre experience with a Poe Speakeasy in the lobby, beginning one hour before curtain. Guests can purchase specialty drinks and snacks, mingle with cast members, and speak with playwright Emily Kimbell about the production. The Poe Speakeasy is sponsored by Coggin Travels.

Whether you’re a longtime Poe fan, interested in literary history, or looking for something to get you in the spirit of spooky season, Edgar: An Evening with Poe offers a chance to explore the life behind some of America’s most recognizable poems and short stories.

Newnan Theatre Company presents Edgar: An Evening with Poe October 10, 15–18, and 22–25. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $15 for children. Thursday evening performances are discounted to $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. The Poe Speakeasy takes place in the lobby on Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning one hour before curtain, with specialty drinks and snacks available for purchase.

Tickets are available at newnantheatre.org or by calling the box office at (770) 683-6282.

Newnan Theatre Company (NTC) has been providing live entertainment in downtown Newnan for over 40 years. With a full season of 10 shows, NTC is a busy and active theatre. Additionally, NTC offers youth programming, an improv comedy group and much more.