Local Edgar Allan Poe Scholar to Speak at Cumberland Theatre

Book-signing and Poe discussion this Saturday before Nevermore the Musical

Professor Amy Branam Armiento, who is currently employed in the English Department at Frostburg State University, and the immediate past president of the Poe Studies Association, will lead at discussion on Edgar Allan Poe this Saturday, October 19th at 7:30 pm at the Cumberland Theatre. The talk will immediately precede the performance of the musical Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, which begins at 8:00 pm. The talk is open to all patrons who purchase a ticket to that evening’s performance.

Professor Amy Armiento

In addition to publishing articles on Poe, she is the editor of More Than Love: The Enduring Fascination with Edgar Allan Poe (Mercer UP, 2024) and co-editor, with Travis Montgomery, of Poe and Women: Recognition and Revision (Lehigh UP, 2023).

Professor Armiento will also be signing copies of More Than Love: The Enduring Fascination with Edgar Allan Poe in the theatre’s lobby during intermission.

The book, which was recently published, discusses Edgar Allan Poe's legacy, which continues to thrive more than one hundred seventy years since his mystery death. Poe's ubiquitous presence is evident in not only literature published today but also film, television, music, visual arts, the tourism industry, and many more fields. Although Poe's impact transcends time and place, the book's essays feature those creators who have direct knowledge of Poe's significance for contemporary U.S. culture. They work in professions in which Poe himself had been employed (e.g., poet and short story writer) or represent fields known for engaging with Poe and his works (e.g., music and film). Too often, they are not invited to participate directly in scholarly research related to pop culture. This book foregrounds their voices, allowing them to answer specific, vital questions: When did they first learn about Poe? Who introduced them to him? What were the circumstances? Which stories, poems, or other writings by Poe resonate with them? Why do they feel a connection to him? How do they integrate Poe into their own work? Writers of poetry, detective fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror stories along with actors, visual artists, musicians, tour guides, teachers, and many others reflect on how Poe has influenced their careers. Local contributors include Andy Duncan, Jamison Odone, and Emily Michael.

Nevermore is a wildly theatrical musical that combines haunting music and poetic storytelling to chronicle the fascinating life of the iconic American author. A literary rock star of his day, Poe struggles with tragedy and addiction, poverty and loss, yet produces some of the world’s most original, visionary and enduring literature before dying in unexplained circumstances at the age of 40. At once gorgeous and grotesque, Nevermore explores the events that shape Poe’s character and career, blurring the line between fact and fiction–after all, as Poe himself writes, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”

The show was originally produced at the Catalyst Theater in Edmonton, Alberta, for an 11-week production that then went on to be performed at theater festivals, theaters across Canada, to the Barbican Theater in London, and the New Victory Theater in New York City. The Cumberland Theatre production is being sponsored by Charles Romano in honor of his late uncle and aunt, Dr. Nicholas and Shirley Giarritta.

Nevermore runs through October 27th with Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Ticket are available at cumberlandtheatre.com or by calling 301.759.4990.