Looking for something to do on Oct. 20 or 21?

Well you should come watch Parkway South’s musical production of Nevermore- The Imaginary Life and Death of Edgar Allan Poe, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Freshman Meredith Labuda shared why she is going to the musical.

“I have seen them rehearse. It seems interesting and it is pretty dark, but a really interesting story,” Labuda said.

The musical highlights the life and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. The main character of  the musical is Poe, played by junior Taylor Gray. Poe is a famous author of many short stories and poems. The erie musical gets the point across that, “You can’t escape your past,” said junior Annie Novak, who plays Sissy Poe, Edgar’s cousin and also wife.
The actors tried out in April of last year and have been practicing ever since.

“At the beginning we practiced once a week for one hour. Now we practice every day, and sometimes 4-5 hours on the weekend,” said Novak.

Before they begin practicing, a few things have to happen including choosing a musical and getting it approved. Jennifer Forrest-James, the theatre director, has to pick what musical she wants to put on, and explained how she chose Nevermore.

“I was in New York a few years ago. I go every year, and saw the show in an off-Broadway theatre and thought it was really cool and no one knew about it. I emailed them thinking they would say no, since we are the first high school to do it,” said Forrest-James.

Parkway South is the first high school to earn the rights and perform the musical.

After choosing what show to put on, the actors have to be cast.

Next, the students have to make the cut.

“They audition and since it is a musical I try and see if they can hit the notes,” said Forrest-James.  

The Off-Broadway musical,written by Jonathan Christenson designed by Bretta Gerecke, was released on June 16, 2015 by Broadway Records.It is mostly sung through, and has a creepier feeling to it. The erie musical has won seven Sterling Awards, all in 2009.  The length is about 120 minutes. Some parts of the musical are true, but some of it is fiction.

“The musical is on a boat,” said junior Mia Porcelli,                                                                           who plays Elmira Royster.                                             

All of the actors encourage people to come watch the musical.

“Yes, of course, Support Parkway South Art,” junior Curt Hooker, who plays Edgar’s brother, said about people coming to watch the show.