When people think of October, at least one author will spring to mind. Edgar Allan Poe. Long considered the Father of Detective Fiction with his short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” it was only a matter of time before Master Mystery Productions did our own homage to the famous poet and teller of terrifying tales. For the final show of our 2019 season, we need performers to help us embody one of the most famous poems in the world for a celebration of the tormented soul who brought our genre to life. This will be Lenore Nevermore.

AUDITIONS

Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3, 2019 

5 to 6:30 p.m. at Red Rock Books

206 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.

Ridgecrest, CA

Lenore Nevermore will be an interactive mystery inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven.” A tale of Gothic romance, murder, mystery, and madness set on the outskirts of Paris in the 1850’s, the show is a wicked blend of psychological thriller and classic detective fiction about three tell-tale hearts that cross paths…and swords. Our script calls for 2 females, 2 males, and one gender neutral role (The Raven). Lenore Nevermore will be our first ever touring production with performances in Ridgecrest as part of Ridge Writers’ Edgar Allan Poe Tea and at the iconic Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction. It’s our ninth collaboration with Ridge Writers and our third with Amargosa Opera House.

Actors need to be age 15 and older to audition. Those under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature on a permission slip AND a parent/guardian MUST attend any and all rehearsals their child attends. Actors will be paid for their work. Amargosa Opera House is located in Death Valley which requires lots of travel time. We will work to coordinate transportation for everyone. Actors under 18 require a parent/guardian to travel with us.

The show performs Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church and Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Amargosa Opera House.

During auditions, everyone will fill out an audition form which will ask for basics such as name, email, experience, availability, etc. These are just basics to give us an understanding on who the performer is as well as contact information. Performers will read selected poems written by Edgar Allan Poe. Performers may also choose to prepare a Poe poem as an audition piece in advance. This will be followed by cold readings of selected scenes from the original script by Daniel Stallings. Rehearsal schedule will be finalized after auditions based on actor availability. After auditions, casting emails will be sent out to actors.

If you are unable to attend the posted audition dates, but are still interested in trying out, message us on Facebook or email us at mastermysteryproductions@hotmail.com to schedule an outside audition.

SYNOPSIS

Once upon a midnight dreary, something rather quaint and curious happened over forgotten lore. Lenore was a beautiful young woman adored for her generosity, goodwill, and innocence. And she died well before her time. A brutal booby trap snuffed out her light and drove one of her admirers into grief and near madness. After all, it was his chamber where his beloved Lenore died. Suddenly, there comes a rapping on his chamber door, and a preternatural raven swoops in croaking out a dire message. What is the meaning behind “Nevermore?” In true Poe fashion, as his madness and hallucinations deepen, our mysterious protagonist has to face dark omens, vengeful rivals, painful memories, statues coming to life, and secrets scuttling out from the shadows. Was Lenore the intended victim? Could he have killed her? Is the truth deadlier than fiction? Inspired by one of the most famous poems in the world, step into the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe and an imaginative twist on the chilling narrative in his masterpiece “The Raven.” Madness or murderer? You be the judge.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

LENORE — A rare and radiant maiden who is the romantic interest of both Auguste Dupin and Guy de Vere. She is a young amateur artist who works as an illustrator for a manuscript on butterflies. Sweet, generous, and kindly in a dozen small ways, Lenore is generally adored by everyone, a beacon of light. But despite her brightness, there may be shadows lurking just out of sight. Her shocking murder is the driving force of the play and Dupin’s near-madness. She appears in flashbacks and as a kind of memory or spirit that haunts Dupin as much as the Raven.

AUGUSTE DUPIN — A deeply-hurt admirer of Lenore who has sunken into his grief and esoteric literature ever since her death. But while he tries to numb himself from his lingering suffering, his rational mind, honed through scholarly pursuit, continues to dissect the mystery surrounding Lenore’s murder. With the slim physical evidence and his memories, Dupin tries to solve the crime, but is faced with grave, unsettling questions along the way. Torn to near insanity by his need for truth and his fear of it, he starts to hallucinate things such as Lenore’s ghost and Pallas Athena (his rational mind) coming to life. The Raven (perhaps his deeply felt grief or guilt) torments him.

GUY DE VERE — Dupin’s rival for Lenore’s affections. Suave, social, and immensely rich, he is the antithesis to the more miserly and introverted Dupin. Guy lavishes gifts and luxuries upon Lenore, aiming to make her his bride. Nevertheless, he is quite an authoritarian gentleman very particular with his ways. An amateur naturalist, he collects butterflies for their beauty and scientific study. He openly loathes and ridicules Dupin, and the feeling is entirely mutual. Dupin wants nothing more than to pin the crime on Guy.

PALLAS ATHENA — The statue of the Greek goddess of wisdom that usually sits above the chamber door in Dupin’s library. She comes to life as one of Dupin’s grief-induced hallucinations to serve as the seeker of truth from the mire of mystery around Lenore’s death. Firm, uncompromising, stalwart, and sharp as a sword, Pallas Athena is determined to dig through Dupin’s murky and malevolent memories to dredge up what really happened when she fell off the chamber door. She bears a large crack across her face, a scar from her use as a murder weapon.

THE RAVEN — A mysterious and malevolent presence whose shadow swallows the fragile Dupin. Perhaps a demon, perhaps a dark spirit, perhaps a hallucination spurred by Dupin’s grief, the Raven utters only his tell-tale word “Nevermore,” which both infuriates and terrifies that hurt and haunted man.

Lenore Nevermore will be a beautiful and bewitching tale of passion, madness, and the inexorable search for truth. We welcome anyone who is interested to audition! No theatrical experience is necessary. We are happy to take and develop new talent all the time. If you have questions or concerns or want to schedule a private audition, email us at mastermysteryproductions@hotmail.com or message Master Mystery Productions on Facebook.

See you at auditions!

–Master Mystery Productions