TORRINGTON – Goshen Community Theatre (GCT) has eerily resurrected five classic tales by none other than iconic American author and poet, Edgar Allen Poe, Friday night at the Eastern Wyoming College Auditorium.

Directed by Elaine Bleisch, the GCT production of Nightfall takes the audience on a dark and elaborate, yet satisfying journey into the twisted mind of Poe. 

Complete with spot-on casting, eye-grabbing costumes, and creative high-quality technical artistry, Nightfall will leave audience members on the edge of their seat, while looking over their shoulder walking back to their cars.

With such classic tales as Telltale Heart, Pit and the Pendulum, and The Raven, each cast member delivers spot-on in their respective roles, and never fail to deliver the dark poetry that is Poe.

Right from the get-go, actor Mason Jones immediately grabs the attention and psychosis of the audience with Telltale Heart. Presenting them with the sinister and resentful mind of an abused manservant with murderous intent for a grotesque master, Jones shows us the psychological horror of an individual sinking into intense insanity.

The Raven delivers solid on perhaps what is Poe’s most well-known piece of work, interpreted visually with the elegant, yet ominous performances of Natalia Closs, Haddassah and Sarah Huntingon, and Emma Erskine. Each actress brings something beautiful, yet horrifying to the lonely widowed character of Poe’s famous poem.

It should be noted of the costume design worn by actor Robert Hendricks, while playing the dark supernatural bird. The visual portrayal is enough to make any audience member feel as if they would desperately like to turn away, but have no choice but to keep their eyes locked on a demonic creature who speaks only one famous word.

A highlight of the show comes with an impressive, almost mesmerizing performance of actress Winter Black during the Fall of the House of Usher. Playing the ever-eccentric Roderick, Black slowly and creatively reveals possibly the most noteworthy and interesting performance of the evening. With a carefully crafted costume, along with attention-grabbing choices of makeup, Black delves into the world of a dangerous being living in the decaying squalor of a dark mansion, where anything could be lurking behind each corner.

As the curtain first opens until the final close, the intricate use of light and sound design immediately sends the message of the intense and eerie nature of Poe. Each story and character are brought magnificently to life with the extensive preparation of professional theatre, despite being a community theatre production.

Even if one is not familiar or even partial to the works of Poe, audience members are sure to walk away from Nightfall feeling uneasy but quenched.

The production unapologetically and courageously tackles sensitive subjects such as sickness, loss, madness, death and torment. With wise direction and character choices, each subject is examined with utmost artistic creativity, and all done in proper taste.

The best theatrical productions are often unafraid to question, or even challenge the minds and feelings of an audience. The entire cast and crew of Nightfall, with dignified shamelessness, delivers on this old notion and in a very big way.

Unlike the bogus illusions of modern streaming services, GCT has chosen to revisit raw-truth storytelling delivered by the world’s second oldest profession in a post-pandemic world. With what is now a society filled with technological conveniences and social media, GCT gives everyone a very strong reminder that art, performing and smart creativity are alive and well despite the overlook of modern times.

There is an old saying that politicians use lies to hide the truth, while actors use lies to reveal it. Each and every performer and crew member involved in GCT’s production of Nightfall does just that, leaving the audience absolutely no choice but to face and clinch it.

Upcoming performances of Nightfall will be held once again at the Eastern Wyoming College Auditorium on November 2 and 3 at 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee on November 4 at 2 p.m. 

For further questions or information regarding Nightfall, visit the GCT Facebook page, or visit www.goshencommunitytheatre.org.