Poe takes the stage with classic ‘Raven

SOLANA BEACH — North Coast Repertory Theatre is presenting a poetic and “unholiday” production of “Nevermore” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 through Dec. 12.
Actor Jeffrey Combs reanimates Edgar Allan Poe is reciting his poem “The Raven,” although reciting may be too tame a word. Poe (played by Combs) is creeping, cowering and gesticulating his way through a rendition that begins with aplomb but soon descends into a frenzy fueled by the author’s broken heart, unsteady mind and fondness for whiskey.
Tickets for “Nevermore” are $25 and $30 and are available at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D. For ticket information or reservations call (858) 481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. daily and noon to 6 p.m. the day of shows.
Combs has appeared in over 75 stage productions during his career. He has performed at numerous theatres including the Old Globe, the Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and the Arizona Theatre Company.
Director Stuart Gordon is happy to be working again with his good friends Dennis Paoli and Jeffrey Combs. He and Paoli have been causing trouble since they met in high school almost 50 years ago and started a comedy group called The Human Race. And Jeffrey has been Stuart’s favorite leading man since they first joined forces on the cult film “Re-animator,” 25 years ago.
North Coast Repertory Theatre is a professional equity theatre founded in 1982. Recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to quality, this season will be performed on the Blakistone Stage, newly dedicated to North Coast Rep founders Olive Blakistone and her recently departed husband Tom, who died in March of 2009.