Electric Poe
September 14 - November 1, 2026
A co-produced special event with
Union Cemetery Historical Society
Electric Poe
by Edgar Allan Poe
Adapted by R.H. Wilhoit
Just in time for Halloween, Electric Poe returns to thrill audiences inside and out!
Captivating audiences once again, Electric Poe will perform on stage at The Coterie for students and educators, SEP 14 – OCT 2. Then for the spooky season, it will perform outside in Union Cemetery for sunset performances for families, OCT 14 – NOV 1, 2026. One actor and one musician will bring the master of the macabre to life with superb acting accompanied by atmospheric underscoring in front of Union Cemetery’s “Holding Vault,” built in 1857 in Kansas City’s oldest public cemetery.
Approx. Length: 60 Minutes
Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Throughout the run of the show, there are several special performances:
- Opening Night: September 14 at 9:45 am.
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performance: September 25 at 9:45 am.
- Sensory Friendly Performance for neurodiverse audiences featuring technical adjustments, sensory supports, house lights on and flexible audience expectations: October 1 at 9:45 am.
- Audio Described Performance with verbal commentary to assist patrons who are visually impaired: September 24 at 9:45 am.
“Brings an authentic chill to Union Cemetery… preserve[s] Poe’s romantic voice while dialing in on the stories’ most propulsive moments… Smart visual touches further justify the theatrical treatment… engaging for adults but chaste enough for older kids.”
– KCStudio.org
“…shows a mastery of horror that surely would even make Poe take notice… I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Halloween.”
– BroadwayWorld.com
“The setting, the material, the performers, the costumes… it’s all so idyllic for a brisk autumn play… Wilhoit is a master of suspense… Both tales are spooky and mysterious… [a] hauntingly good performance”
– KCParent.com
Electric Poe 2025 is underwritten by The Andy and Peggy Beal Family Fund and Dr. Michael J Wurm and Cindy Wurm.
Original production designs and illustrations by the Kansas City Art Institute Illustration Department’s student-staffed agency, MICRO. Electric Poe 2025 by Cory Williamson.
