Haunted Fables at The Gables
Take a dip into the deep, dark imaginations of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe at The House of the Seven Gables during Salem’s much-loved Haunted Happenings.
“Haunted Fables at The Gables” promises to be a fun, immersive excursion into some of the authors’ most iconic works. The stories and poems will be performed by accomplished actor Paul Riopelle, one of the great channelers of both Poe and Hawthorne. To further steep audiences in the moment, an atmospheric set has been designed to turn back time and turn up suspense. Those interested may choose from one of two performances each evening, Thursday through Sunday, October 20–23, at 7 and 8:30. Tickets, which will sell out quickly, must be purchased in advance at 7gables.org.
“These are fully acted-out tales,” says Riopelle. “People are going to be very surprised at how alike Poe and Hawthorne’s storytelling is. Each performance is 60 minutes. With some careful adaptation, I get to the heart of these darker stories and focus on the haunting imagery. It will be really fun.”
The performances open with some of the scarier scenes from Hawthorne’s bestselling novel set in Salem, “The House of the Seven Gables.” Riopelle will also enact scenes from one of Hawthorne’s most acclaimed and moody short stories, “Young Goodman Brown.” Selections from Poe’s work include “The Cask of Amontillado,” “Annabel Lee” and, of course, “The Raven.”
“To top it all off,” says Riopelle, “this is the perfect venue to perform these works. The set, a gloomy Victorian study with blood-red lanterns, adds to the creepy Halloween feel.”
About The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association and its mission
Vision: To preserve, share and continue the American Story.
Mission: To be a welcoming, thriving historic site and community resource that engages people of all backgrounds in our inclusive American story. For more information visit www.7gables.org.
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