Edgar in the Red Room Headed to London in 2026

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After a successful run in Toronto, this original “macabre cabaret” has been invited to perform in London! Edgar in the Red Room, a short musical based on the life and death of Edgar Allan Poe played to multiple sold-out houses this summer at the prestigious Toronto Fringe Festival in July. It previously won Outstanding English Production at the St. Ambroise Montréal Fringe Festival in 2024. Watch this video overview of the production.

Written by Le Moyne faculty and staff members Matt Chiorini and Greg Giovanini ’11, the show draws from several of Poe’s works, including “Fall of the House of Usher,” “Annabel Lee” and “Bereniece,” among others, and has received uniformly positive reviews. Intermission Magazine called it a “magical…hour-long fever dream,” noting “where the show really shines is its original songs…” It’s also been called a “must see” (The Grind Magazine) and “a frenzied adventure into the writer’s mind” (Toronto Star).

The production was performed entirely by Le Moyne students, alums and guest artists, including recent graduates Carly Nicolai ’25, Chloe Budzisewski ’25, George Le Brun ’24, Kilian Crowley ’16 and current students Sophia Morphet ’26 and Sarah Strauss ’26. The production was designed by Le Moyne theatre faculty Maya June Dwyer, Lindsey Voorhees, John Czajkowski ’07 and alumna Kylee Galarneau ’24.

A rewritten version of the production will be staged first at Auburn Public Theatre from Jan. 29 to 31, 2026 and then make its Off-West End premiere in London at the award-winning Hope Theatre. As a theatre space, it has been the first stop for many productions that have gone on to West End performances and several world premieres by playwrights such as Joe Orton and Robin Hooper. Prior to its status as a professional theatre, The Hope Theatre hosted many up-and-coming musical acts in the 70s and 80s, including U2, The Police and The Ramones. Edgar in the Red Room will make its debut at the Hope Theatre on Feb. 3, 2026 and play for 10 performances before closing on Feb. 14.