WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — Once upon a midnight dreary—well, more like two October nights in downtown Waco—the ghostly genius of Edgar Allan Poe will rise again in flickering candlelight and whispered verse. The “Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Two” descends upon Anthem STORIES on Austin Avenue on October 16 and 18, inviting guests into a world where the line between the living and the literary blurs with every sip.
After enchanting audiences across the country, the acclaimed Poe Speakeasy returns with a new lineup of four chilling tales: The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee, The Pit and the Pendulum, and The Fall of the House of Usher. Each story is performed live by “Poe historians” in a gothic parlor setting, illuminated by lanterns and candlelight—and each paired with a hand-crafted cocktail designed to match the mood.
This is not your standard reading. It’s a descent into Poe’s mind, where beauty and dread walk arm in arm, and every glass holds a story. Guests can expect 90 minutes of immersive theater, dramatic recitation, and mixology that borders on alchemy. Think The Cask of Amontillado with a pour of brandy and betrayal, or Annabel Lee served with a whisper of sea salt and sorrow.
Tickets, starting at $55, include four complimentary cocktails and entry to what organizers call “a living poem.” The experience is open to guests 21 and older, though perhaps best suited for those who find comfort in candlelight, mystery, and the occasional heartbeat beneath the floorboards.
This marks the show’s second visit to Waco after last year’s sold-out run. Chapter Two continues the tour’s streak of sold-out performances from Austin to Chattanooga, earning praise as “part cocktail hour, part séance, all Poe.” For a short time, Anthem STORIES will be transformed into a Gothic escape—its dim glow, soft music, and whispered lines promising to transport guests somewhere between the 19th century and Nevermore.
Poe himself—whose pen dripped with melancholy and madness—would likely raise a glass to the occasion. The man who gave the world The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and Usher’s doomed house would no doubt appreciate a toast to terror, tragedy, and timeless storytelling.
For those ready to listen closely—to hear the echo of a pendulum swing or the flutter of unseen wings—event listings and ticket information are available through Destination Waco, Anthem STORIES, and the official Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy website.
When the doors close, and the final candle sighs into darkness, one thing will linger still—Poe’s voice, somewhere in the room, whispering softly to the last departing guest:
“Drink deeply, my friends… for the night is long, and Nevermore awaits.”
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