A tour de force where three incredible actors simultaneously play the enigmatic artist, Edward Gorey, to uncover the real man behind the legendary and elusive literary myth.

 
 

NOW AVAILABLE FOR TOURING

Listen to NPR's interview with Travis Russ (Director) and Andrew Dawson (Cast Member).

A fantasy memoir about the secret lives of Edward Gorey, called an "artist and writer of genius” by the New Yorker. Three virtuosic actors (Andrew Dawson, Phil Gillen, and Aidan Sank ) share the title role, allowing Gorey to converse with his younger selves and move forwards and backwards in time. This play is a theatrical love letter to Gorey; a blend of facts and poetic license that is piercing, funny, lyrical, and bold. Brought to life with breathtaking magic and stunning stagecraft, this innovative play written and directed by Travis Russ, reveals Gorey’s dark imagination, his personal demons, and the heartbreaking loneliness of creative genius.

“Stunningly beautiful. The production’s theatrical sensibility is gorgeous.” Moises Kaufman

"Beautifully written; beautifully designed and performed." Kim Whitener

 

AWARDS & HONORS

Seven 2016 New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominations: Outstanding Premiere Production of a Play, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Innovative Design, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, and Outstanding Choreography.

Theater is Easy's 2016 Best Bet for Noteworthy Performances

 


PRESS

“★★★★ A poignant, funny, sometimes dizzying journey through [Gorey’s] fascinating, reclusive, and ultimately often tortured life… Completely absorbing… A vivid, often hilarious portrayal of [Gorey’s] wit and complexity… Enchanting.”
— PLAYS TO SEE
“A captivating tale... Full of little gems to discover.”
— FRONT ROW CENTER
“Fantasy and memoir are on dazzling display... Fascinating biographical exploration... An engaging full-fledged portrait.”
— THEATER SCENE
“Wonderfully inspired... Beautifully rich and powerfully sincere... Entrancing.”
— ARTS WIRE WEEKLY
“A touching production... Fills in the complexities and contradictions, the yearning, loss, and humanity, contained in the space between ‘strange’ and ‘fabulous.’”
— CULTURE CATCH
 
 
 
 

PRODUCTION HISTORY

SHEEN CENTER / DECEMBER 14, 2016-JANUARY 14, 2017

Cast: Andrew Dawson*, Phil Gillen*, Aidan Sank. Production Team: Travis Russ (Playwright, Director, Scenic Design), John Narun (Projection & Lighting Design), Emma Wilk (Sound Design), Elizabeth Ostler (Puppetry Design), Peri Grabin Leong (Costume Design), Katie Proulx (Choreography), Carl Vorwerk (Associate Producer, Scenic Design), Anthony Dvarskas (Dramaturg).  

HERE ARTS CENTER / APRIL 30-MAY 22, 2016

Cast: Andrew Dawson*, Phil Gillen*, Aidan Sank. Production Team: Travis Russ (Playwright, Director, Scenic Design), John Narun (Projection & Lighting Design), Emma Wilk (Sound Design), Elizabeth Ostler (Puppetry Design), Peri Grabin Leong (Costume Design), Katie Proulx (Choreography), Carl Vorwerk (Technical Director, Scenic Design), Anthony Dvarskas (Dramaturg). NYC PREMIERE

NYTW'S FOURTH STREET THEATRE / MARCH 23-APRIL 4, 2015

Cast: Andrew Dawson*, Mark Woodard*, Dylan Riley-MacArthur. Production Team: Travis Russ (Playwright, Director, Scenic Design), Katie Proulx (Associate Director), Jeannine Frumess (Assistant Director), Elizabeth Ostler (Puppetry Design), David Zurak (Choreography), Carl Vorwerk (Technical Director, Scenic Design), Anthony Dvarskas (Dramaturg). WORK-IN-PROGRESS

*Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association