Wicked Lit play reading series October 29, 2009

PIGEONS FROM HELL by ROBERT E HOWARD adapted by JEFF G. RACK
A classic tale of terror written by Robert E. Howard, best known for creating Conan the Barbarian. This adaptation tells the story of two ill-fated young men who spend the night in what they believe is an abandoned mansion in the deep south of Louisiana. They quickly come to realize that they are not alone. Something unnatural and deadly is still residing in the house, and they could soon become victims of a centuries old curse.
A GHOST STORY by MARK TWAIN adapted by Jonathan Josephson
Most well known for his seminal novels, the great Mark Twain was also quite fond of the short story form, having written several dozen in his prolific life. The original A Ghost Story – a true “anti-ghost story” – was written to skewer a well-publicized anthropological hoax of Twain’s day. In this new adaptation we find a similar cast of characters as Twain’s original story, but this new version features a distinctly theatrical, most un-horrific, comedic style that will surely add at least a modest bit of levity to an otherwise intense bill of works.

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by Edgar Allan Poe adapted by Paul Millet
There’s something terribly wrong in the “House of Usher.” Stricken by horrible physical ailments, twins Roderick and Madeline Usher find themselves prisoners in not only their own home but also their sinister family legacy. Desperate for a way out, Roderick summons his boyhood friend Nathaniel Dawson to help. But how? As he descends into the madness of the “House of Usher” Nathaniel comes to realize the true nature of the evil holding Roderick and Madeline captive. The terror builds into a stunning and horrifying climax that will change Nathaniel forever. The Fall of the House of Usher is considered a masterwork of Gothic horror by Edgar Allan Poe and first appeared in print in 1839 in Burton's Gentleman's Magazine.
Question and Answer sessions will follow each reading, offering the audience the opportunity to give feedback to the playwrights and to discuss the relevance of each play to its source material. If you’ve never been to a live play reading or just love a good story, you’re in for a real treat.
There is no admission fee to attend the readings and reservations are not required.

1890 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA 91108-2595 ● Phone: (626) 300-0777
www.CrowellPublicLibrary.org