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Jeffrey
Combs as Edgar Allan Poe
Performances at the Steve Allen Theater
continue through December 12, 2009
on Fridays and Saturday evenings
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In "The Black Cat"
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| A
Theatrical Masterpiece is
Born |
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If
Jeffrey Combs' only performance
in a horror film had been
his role as Dr. Herbert
West in the H.P. Lovecraft
inspired "Reanimator,"
he would have already earned
a place of honor in the
history of dark cinema.
But Combs and Stewart Gordon,
Reanimator's audacious director,
combined their talents again
in "From Beyond"
and "Castle Freak,"
beginning a remarkable partnership
and a lasting friendship.
The actor went on to become
an icon not only in the
horror genre, but in science
fiction as well, through
his many appearances in
the Star Trek series Voyager,
Enterprise and Deep Space
Nine.
Gordon added to his reputation
as a brilliant directorial
interpreter of H.P Lovecraft
with the film "Dagon"
and with the Masters of
Horror episode "Dreams
in the Witch House."
In 2007, Gordon directed
one of the most highly praised
episodes of Masters of Horror:
"The Black Cat,"
based on the classic short
story by Edgar Allan Poe.
Jeffrey Combs starred brilliantly
as the haunted writer, and
soon after, the idea for
an new project was born
- the one man show "Nevermore"
- a recreation of a stage
appearance by Poe himself,
to celebrate the bicentennial
year of the author's birth.
The inspiration behind "Nevermore"
is the historical record
of the author's actual public
performances as they were
made in the year preceding
his death in 1849. The play's
author, Dennis Paoli, drew
upon his painstaking research
of Poe's life and written
legacy.
Jeffrey Combs graciously
offered Dark Romance some
exclusive insights into
his experiences as an actor
walking in the footsteps
of America's most celebrated
literary icon.
DR:
Can
you describe the process
of making "Nevermore"
a reality, as you experienced
it?
Jeffrey
Combs: Stuart
and I had been discussing
this project off and on
for a couple of years, but
began getting together in
earnest, say once a week,
maybe around the beginning
of this year.
I
initially began with memorizing
the poems. I tried to memorize
one a week. I didn't always
succeed with that goal as
some are longer than others.
I started with THE RAVEN
and ventured forth from
there. A lot of pacing and
talking to myself. My neighbors
no doubt think me insane
at this point.
The
dialogue in between the
poems came last because
Dennis had a heck of a lot
of research and editing
to do to get all that wonderful
dialogue to us. About 90%
of the dialogue is Poe's
words.
DR:
Is
this the most emotionally
challenging and demanding
role you've ever brought
to life?
Jeffrey
Combs: This
is the first one man show
I have ever done and it
will probably be my only
one. I had no idea what
a lonely endeavor it would
be. It is very demanding
in all ways, but deeply
rewarding as well.
DR:
How
do you prepare each night,
and how do you feel after
a performance?
Jeffrey
Combs: I
prepare physically with
warm-ups, vocally with
some vocal exercises and
breathing. And I will do
a speed through on the day
of the show to keep the
words fresh. After the show
I'm a good combination of
exhausted and energized.
It's hard to get to sleep.
DR:
Fans
of the show have returned
night after night, loving
the nuances you bring to
the character. Can you describe
the nature of your performance,
how it varies, and how you
allow the character of Poe
to flow so uninhibitedly?
Jeffrey
Combs: The
nature of theatre is that
no two performances are
alike. The show remains
basically the same every
night, but I experiment
with moments and small variations.
As to how I allow Poe to
flow: I have no answer to
that. That's simply my job
as an actor -- to make it
appear spontaneous and seamless.
DR:
What
the future plans for "Nevermore"
when the extended run concludes
in Los Angeles?
Jeffrey
Combs: I
would love to take it back
east and perform it at some
of Poe's old haunts, but
as of this moment there
is nothing planned. We talk
often of filming it, but
we don't want to do it haphazardly.
It should be given the same
care and love that we've
given the stage version.
It also requires something
called money!
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