The Tell-Tale Heart at Denizen Theatre
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Director, Development & Marketing, Arts Mid-Hudson
October hits and autumn takes over our senses. Apple and pumpkin pickings, beautiful foliage and of course, spooky season. Growing up in the Hudson Valley, I loved all of the different haunted experiences, however, as I got older, I was less interested in gore and was effected more by psychological experiences. Especially those by the horror master himself, Edgar Allan Poe. Through the end of this month, Denizen Theatre in New Paltz has the perfect way for theatre lovers to enjoy the eerie season with their production of The Tell-Tale Heart, which is based on Poe’s classic tale of murder and madness.
Arriving at the lobby of the theatre, you’re immersed in the world of the play with the gallery exhibit, “Fevered Imagination.” The exhibit, a collaboration with Roost Studios, features 12 works of art by local artists that explore the themes of duality, shadow and ego. Foreshadowing what the audience will encounter within the play, Catherine Copeland displays a chilling blue eye with “Heartstruck,” created with pastel on UART sanded paper. Other artists featured include Michelle Eddison, Barbara Holt, Paul Keskey, Anna Tjernlund, Alyssa C. Toohey, and Jill Ziccardi all with works that explore those themes.
Once you have stepped foot into the theatre, but before you get to your seat, you are once again greeted by the eerie ambience of what will be portrayed on stage with Teatre Lambe Lambe co-conceived by Brad Shur and Denizen Artistic Director, Andy Gaukel. Teatre Lambe Lambe is essentially a form of puppetry or shape animation that takes place inside a confined but easily transportable space. The detail of viewer’s experience once looking within the keyhole is fantastic for setting up what you are about to witness on stage and extremely satisfying post- show when the imagery is fresh in your mind.
Now, it is time for the show. Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, especially his tales of mystery and the macabre. Directed by Andy Gaukel with Sean Meehan, this production was conceived in collaboration with workshop 30/31. A man is driven insane by an elderly neighbor’s “pale blue eye — the eye of a vulture.” He decides to kill the old man and “rid myself of the eye forever.” His repetition and denial of madness only brings the viewer deeper into the horror. This production stars Sean Meehan, whose theatre work includes The New Group, La Mama Annex, and HERE Arts Center (NYC) among many others as well as film and television work on “The Post,” Weightless,” HBO’s “The Normal Heart,” “The Deuce,” CBS’s “Elementary,” and “Shades of Blue” to name a few.
Masterfully bringing the show to life is the sound designer, Julian Blackmore, set designer Rachael Balcanoff, lighting designery, Tim J. Lord and stage manager Cal Langston. “The Tell-Tale Heart” exposes the dark side of humankind and deals with psychological realism. It’s the perfect way to enjoy all that this spooky season has to offer. For tickets and more information about the cast, crew and creation, go to www.denizentheatre.com.
If you go:
The Tell-Tale Heart
Denizen Theatre, 10 Main Street, Suite 501, New Paltz, NY
Date: September 29 - October 30, 2022
Time: Performances Thursday - Saturday 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: (845) 437-8393, information@denizentheatre.com
