Poe Theatre on the Air

WYPR Baltimore

4.6 (12)
ARTS

Part radio drama, part podcast, and all Edgar Allan Poe. A new spine-tingling play for your ears every month, adapted from America’s most famous horror and suspense writer. Gothic frights, by The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre.

APR 7

Some Words with a Mummy

This episode of Poe Theatre on the Air presents one Poe’s comedic stories, “Some Words with a Mummy,” sponsored in part by a generous donation from Kurt Gustafson and family. The story recounts a conversation with a mummy revived in modern times, and how modern accomplishments don’t exactly measure up against the achievements of ancient Egyptians. “Some Words with a Mummy” was written by Kris Faatz, and directed by Alex Zavistovich, with the voices of Adam R. Adkins, Sarah Bella Joyce, and Alex Zavistovich. Poe Theatre on the Air theme by Gregg Martin, with special Space Fanfare music courtesy of humanoide9000 (Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music [Star Trek Inspired] by – https://freesound.org/s/744049/ – License: Attribution 4.0). As a reminder, May 16th is the fifth annual 24-hour Doomsday Edgar Allan Poe readathon, with guest readers including state delegates, city councilmembers and WYPR’s own Maxie Jackson. Streamed on YouTube and hosted by In the Dark Circus Arts in Baltimore’s historic Pigtown neighborhood, this year’s event received a certificate of recognition from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

58 min
FEB 6

A Valentines Day Special

This special Valentine’s Day installment of Poe Theatre on the Air features Valentine’s Day and love poems from Poe — and a lesser known poem to Poe from his wife. We begin with a real treat. British actor and presenter Helen Atkinson Wood is back. Famous for originating the role of Mrs. Miggins on BBC’s Black Adder, Ms. Wood can be heard on previous episodes of Poe Theatre on the Air reciting “The Bells” and “Shadow, a Parable” We’re grateful to have her back, and we hope you enjoy her readings of the poems “A Valentine” and “To Helen.” Poems: · A Valentine · To Helen (version 1) · To Helen (version 2) · Annabel Lee · A Valentine from VC Poe to EA Poe

14 min
JAN 14

The Spectacles

Written by Jade Greene and performed and recorded live at the Poe Room of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, “The Spectacles” is one of Poe’s comedies (yes, he wrote comedies!). In this story, a vain young man changes his name to try to inherit a fortune from a distant relative. He falls in love with a seemingly beautiful woman at the opera, but because he refuses to wear his glasses, he gets mixed up in a case of mistaken identity. Featuring the voices of Adam R. Adkins, Bri Caelleigh, Sarah Bella Joyce, Jade Greene, John Sadowsky, and Alex Zavistovich. Directed by Alex Zavistovich, with original music composition, sound design and production by James D. Watson. Made possible in part by The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Creative Baltimore Fund.

54 min
11/19/2025

Hop-Frog

In this story, the physically disabled “Hop-Frog,” a victim of a war, is made to work for a cruel and brutish dictator. Together with his tiny love Tripetta, Hop-Frog sets the stage for a comeuppance for the king.

55 min
10/28/2025

Poe Theatre on the Air Presents “The Pit and the Pendulum” A Halloween Special

Set during the Spanish Inquisition, this intense and pulse-pounding radio drama tells the story of an unnamed prisoner forced to choose between several lethal options when sentenced to death. Written by TJ Perkins and produced by John Walker, featuring the voice of Alex Zavistovich. Sponsored in part by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Creative Baltimore Fund, and RavenBeer.

33 min
02/17/2025

The Poe Theatre - The Beast in the Caves

Three years ago, The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre was invited to take part in a project called “The Media of Mediumship,” with the University of Stirling in Scotland and the University of East Anglia in England. Poe Theatre’s Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich performed in and co-produced a three-part radio drama series written by UEA Professor Richard J. Hand, based on fiction held in the Harry Price Library in the University of London’s Senate House Library. The programs were first heard on the BBC as “The Adventures of Zachariah Jaeger” and are a continuing part of the curated Media of Mediumship project. The series subsequently received recognition in UEA’s Innovation and Impact Awards for Outstanding Social or Cultural Impact. This first installment of the series, “The Beast in the Caves,” was based on the short story “The Terror of Blue John Gap,” by Arthur Conan Doyle. A range of materials for the Media of Mediumship project can be found on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@themediaofmediumship4182?si=gtjM6xjw7AgbwDEJ

39 min
01/02/2025

The Poe Theatre On The Air - The Purloined Letter

Hear the third and final story in Edgar Allan Poe’s Auguste Dupin trilogy of mysteries! Dupin and his assistant help the Paris police find a stolen letter, which is being used for blackmail at the highest levels of French government. The Purloined Letter script was written and directed by Alex Zavistovich. Music and sound effects by James D. Watson, featuring the voices of Adam R. Adkins, Bri Caelleigh, Jimi Kinstle, Melanie Kurstin, Jennifer Restak, and Alex Zavistovich. Here are links to the first two of Poe’s Dupin mysteries: “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”: https://www.wypr.org/podcast/poe-theatre-on-the-air/2024-01-19/the-murders-in-the-rue-morgue “The Mystery of Marie Roget”: https://www.wypr.org/podcast/poe-theatre-on-the-air/2024-08-13/the-mystery-of-marie-roget “The Purloined Letter” was recorded live in the Poe Room of The Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD, and made possible by The Enoch Pratt Free Library, DC Dogs, and The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.

1h 8m
10/30/2024

The Masque of the Red Death and Shadow (a Parable)

This Halloween special edition of Poe Theatre on the Air features two readings of the works of Edgar Allan Poe: “The Masque of the Red Death” and “Shadow (a Parable).” Published in 1842, “The Masque of the Red Death” has been adapted numerous times, most notably by Roger Corman in a 1964 film starring Vincent Price. “Shadow (a Parable)” was written by Poe during his time in Baltimore and published in 1835. The story is read by British actor Helen Atkinson-Wood, best known for her work in the BBC series “Blackadder.” The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre on the Air is sponsored in part by Baltimore’s own RavenBeer, and by DC Dogs, a multimedia performing arts troupe. Special thanks to the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min

See All (32)

4.6

out of 5

12 Ratings

A LOVELY HAUNTING FOR THE EARS!

11/11/2020

Movies205

Very quickly I was able to get this podcast and from there it's been a haunted ride of fun and delight. The creators of this pod were really smart in creating a simple premise from which they could explore all of Poe's tales. It's set in an asylum as you the viewer meet all the different inmates. Besides the writing, which does a great job of moving things along and taking advantage of the medium... I like how they keep to a small, but very talented cast of actors. Letting the thespians do their magic and then seasoning in some wonderful sound effects and music. If you're a fan of Poe or scary stories... This is definitely worth a listen! Kudos to the production team.
Utter trash

11/06/2022

Tallowyck

I got 10 minutes into “Hop Frog” before respect for the original material and good taste made me stop listening. Awful.
Got me hooked

03/18/2021

MindfulMango

The Black Cat episode got me hooked. The craziness into which the husband descends was well executed. Bravo. Time for Tell Tale Heart!

Part radio drama, part podcast, and all Edgar Allan Poe. A new spine-tingling play for your ears every month, adapted from America’s most famous horror and suspense writer. Gothic frights, by The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre.