Trio of Terror

There's a little touch of "art in the park". Edgar Allen Poe was never better!

I have been a Poe fan for a long time and I've heard many readings of his work but "David"...I think that's his real name, is awesome! He has the "insanity" of the piece down pat. His facial expressions and his interpretation is outstanding. He mesmerizes the audience. Even the little ones are quiet and he takes the time afterwards to shake their hands and chat with them. I think this is a "must see" event and find it unusual that it is hidden away like it is. It is nearly overshadowed by Werewolf Canyon but it is of a higher caliber than just the things that jump out at you and go "Boo!!"

Have any of you had the chance to see this at the Glassblowers theatre???

We come every year and wouldn't miss it for anything....it keeps getting better every year.

I saw it yesterday and a few times last year, but it is pretty good. Can't believe that they memorize the whole poem and still act it out so dramtically. Very good, indeed. It definately adds to the morbidness of Halloween at the park.

I hope to see this next Sunday if I have time before I have to be at the parade. I saw it last year, and it's an awesome performance.

I'll be seeing it this weekend. I never miss it. Tell-Tale Heart is definitely the best of the 3.

I was planning on going during the day Saturday. Plans changed, however, when I saw the line.

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to Saturday. We'll see how it goes.

Worst case: I'll be at Cedar Point on a busy day instead of at work. So it can't be too bad.

That's true. I just hope for your sake it's not as bad. As much as I love Magnum, there was no way I was about to wait that long for it.

Thankfully, ERT on Maverick gave us 8 laps of awesomeness, followed by front row rides on MF and Raptor. A quick ride on PT, and we were done riding by 1pm.

Yes the Tell-Tale Heart performer's name is "David".

Here's all my Poe videos from 2006-2007:

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Marinox420&search_query=poe

I plan to tape David's performance closing weekend. He said he tweaked his performance after seeing my video of his 2006 performance. I met him last Friday before the park opened. He said he played a fur trader in Fort Sandusky in the Frontier Trail in the past.

I told him about PB and TPOL forums. But he asked me to open comments on the youtube videos. He would like to read your feedback. So if you have a moment you can leave him (and the other performers) a note at the youtube links. *** Edited 10/22/2007 3:07:00 PM UTC by HalloWeekends!***

This was my first year seeing these performances, and I was blown away!

How many years have they done this, and have they always been the same stories/actors?

Its been going for the last 4 at least, and its been the same stories and actors as far as I know. I haven't made it yet this year, but I don't miss Tell-Tale Heart when I'm there.

The Raven is done this year by a new younger performer. I've met him. I can't remember his name unfortunately. "Chris" does the Black Cat. "Tim" did The Raven previously.

Hi Heather!

Yes, the actors have been the same, except for the Raven this year.

I think the "Tell Tale Heart" has been there for 8 years....four for the Black Cat.

I had not read the Black Cat until I saw it at CP. I went out and bought the entire collection of Poe stories!!

I saw the online versions but it's just not the same as actually being there. Front and center...that's the place to sit!!

CoastMani said:
I saw it yesterday and a few times last year, but it is pretty good. Can't believe that they memorize the whole poem and still act it out so dramtically. Very good, indeed. It definately adds to the morbidness of Halloween at the park.

I agree....they fit the theme of Halloweekends perfectly!!

Cedar Point was blessed! Whoever came up with this idea had to be an artist!

David has read the comments on this thread and appreciates the comments ; )

The purpose of the videos is to capture the spirit of the thing. It's especially handy for people who can't make it out there or haven't seen Poe. David in fact was originally going to have Chris, the Black Cat performer, videotape the Tell-Tale Heart for YT. Coincidentally I had put last year's online so now he doesn't have to.

Note that youtube converts high quality video to a low resolution Flash format. David remarked that the flatness of YT video loses something in the translation from a live performance. Inherently video is not live nor 3D. (Although a DVD-R on a high end TV or monitor is a close approximation to being there).

Make it out to a performance if you can. If not enjoy sample of it with the online videos.

Keep the comments coming for the sake of the performers. They'll be reading and enjoying the audience appreciation or critiques.

Thank you for sharing that Halloweekends!!

I think you caught the "spirit"....but it is a bit better in person.....like I said....front and center!!....*smiles*

It is true that for some folks the experienceo r memory of an event, place or performance is stronger than a photo or video. But for my money's worth I like video, not just because of the moving image, but the natural sound that's captured.

David was actually concerned that Maverick would be too loud next to the theater, but luckily he said it isn't. Skyhawk's sound has been toned down quite a bit since last year and so has Wearwolf Canyon. But not the train.

I plan to tape David this weekend. I'm half tempted to actually try and sit "front & center" and see what the video brings. Except it's easier to stand behind the seated crowd. And would need my wide angle lens to sit that close to tape the entire show. The piece that fits the lens onto the camera has been broken unfortunately. If I had time to see two performances and stand first in line I'd still definitely try it both ways. I know for a fact if I could sit that close he'd look right into the camera : ) But I'd better err on the safe side and stand behind the crowd.

Sure got quiet when you said I was here reading the posts!!....;-)

I want to thank you and everyone that has posted for the comments you've made. It means a lot to me. Today (Sun) is the last and I've had a great season and met a lot of great people. The number of people that return to see these shows has me very impressed.

I'm glad I have had the chance to speak with a few of you and thank you for all of your support. You have shared some great ideas and I've been able to utilized more than a few.

A special thanks to you HalloWeekends...you've done more than you may ever know....

Thanks again for a great season!!!

David

Wow David, that is some performace. I am so impressed with your acting as well as your ability to memorize that whole Poe story. I've spent a small amount of time on psych before realizing it wasn't where I wanted to work & saw the torment some live with. You captured it well.

Thanks for allowing it on YT so that those of us, whos family won't go because they might melt if some flippin raindrops hit them, could still see it. (Sorry, just yelling that last part out loud for some people in the room to hear) :)

Thanx David!!

I like your User ID. You guys *are* a team.

I'm glad I could help out and give back in some way. That means a lot to me that you were able to use the video to analyze your performance. You took the ball and ran with it. The tone of the '07 version floored me!

I'll put that video up after I attend Kings Island's Halloween Haunt Bare Bones Event then the big day a.k.a. Halloween needs to be taken care of. Your footage will be the first one I get to next week. Especially now that none of us can go to CP : )

It could be interesting for fans to watch the '06 and compare it to the '07 performance. I'll make a Playlist so viewers can watch the entire show's three videos with one click like I did with Monsters Rock! It's a decent compromise for youtube's 10 minute video limit.

On Sunday I finally made it to the 1:30 show of Tell Tale Heart. I hadn't been able to make it all year due to working elsewhere in the park, but I asked to leave admissions at noon on Sunday specifically so I could see the show. The performance was awesome, even better than I remember from when I last saw it in 05. I really wanted to stay for the 2:00 show of Black Cat, but I had to make my way to the front of the park to get ready for the parade.

I hope that CP will continue to have this show for years to come, and hopefully David will continue to return because his performances are really top notch.