Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight is a one-man play written by Paul Day Clemens and Ron Magid. Its production run, beginning in 1998 and touring over a 100 cities before ending in 2004, starred John Astin in the titular role of Edgar Allan Poe. In an interview, John Astin stated that "the truth has an element of the macabre in it" and that "Poe was a seeker of truth, and that made his work all the more beautiful and romantic. He dealt with life and death and the sometimes frightening realities they bear. He was not afraid to explore the darkness. He didn’t pretend it didn’t exist." Astin also said that the play gives the opportunity for the spirit of Poe to return to "straighten out all the forgeries and untruths told about him." The Play In writing for Paybill, Sean McGrath described the play as a mixture of Poe's poetry, the classic short stories "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" as well as stories of Poe's personal turmoils. Such incidents include his childhood, his time in the military and the troubles he caused while at West Point, his marriage and his struggles to make his mark as a poet, publisher and writer. The script also contains a full recitation of Poe's poem "The Raven", from which the title of the play originates. Credits Written by Paul Day Clemens and Ron Magid Directed by Alan Bergmann Scenery, props and projections by John Boesche Lighting by Jason R. Beghtol Sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen Original Music by Ian Freebairn-Smith Production stage manager – Brian J. L'Ecuyer Booking by Windwood Theatricals References External links "John Astin Reads The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe" on YouTube (posted October 30, 2006) 2004 plays American plays Biographical plays about writers Works about Edgar Allan Poe Cultural depictions of Edgar Allan Poe Plays based on real people