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"True to the illustrator-author's tongue-in-cheek humor, the vignettes depart from the innocent play of bygone gentility and turn toward the dark side ... Through spoken word, song and dance, the cast portrays willful carnage and debauchery with lively humor. They seem to revel in the chance to perform as unsupervised, naughty children in a Lord of the Flies underworld." – Tampa Tribune

"The production ... is amply amusing, full of Gorey's dry wit and benignly disturbing characterizations. But by far the most striking elements are visual ... The effect is ghastly, humorous and strangely beautiful. It's a collision of Dr. Seuss, Charles Addams and Edvard Munch. Combine that look with Gorey's morbid but jaunty stories, verse and songs, and you end up with a memorable theater experience." – St. Peterburg Times

"By the end of the play, fans will find themselves caught up in the debauchery of Gorey's stories, gleefully singing along and wishing there were more than 26 letters in the alphabet." – The Oracle

Gorey Stories

Adapted by Stephen Currens, music by David Aldrich
Based on 18 short stories by Edward Gorey
Directed by David M. Jenkins
Extended! Oct. 18 – Nov. 11, 2007
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Tickets: $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, TBPAC

Jobsite is excited to open their 0708 season with a ghastly and dark comic take on 18 short stories by Edward Gorey just in time for the Halloween season.

"A unique, odd, perverse and engaging entertainment. It is not an evening you are going to easily forget." – N.Y. Post.

Gorey Stories is a compilation of Edward Gorey's stories, poems and limericks – a neo-gothic vision of the world as dark, mysterious, sinister and yet simultaneously hilarious. In the mix are unusual creatures, curious landscapes, insanity, religious fanaticism, murder, catchy tunes and the worlds of dance, opera, literature and film. The show gains its cohesive, linear feel as the party assembled in the parlor of Lady Celia carries us through Gorey’s kooky world.

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The late Edward Gorey (d. 2000) illustrated and wrote short stories, poems, prose and plays based in an eerie and macabre world, full of odd characters (often children) that experience strange fates often leading to mysterious demises.

His illustrations resemble a Victorian-era woodcut drawing with a bit of Goya, Aubrey Beardsley and Charles Addams thrown in for good measure. His illustrations were animated for the introduction to the popular PBS show Mystery!, and he provided production design for popular Broadway productions such as Dracula (for which he won a Tony for Best Costumes). He also illustrated T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the basis for the musical CATS.

Most are not aware that Gorey was ever responsible for a musical, and that’s due to the fact that it closed the same night it opened – Oct. 31, 1978. Around the turn of the century, the play found a second life in black-box theaters with smaller production elements, concentrating on the unique storytelling and the brilliant characters in an intimate environment. In the past five or so years several cutting-edge theaters across the country have turned this show into an enormous cult hit.

Jobsite believes the show will be suitable for most, though recommends any patron do their research first. There are occasional sexual implications (particularly in the piece The Curious Sofa), and the edgy subject matter is certainly sardonic, but the amusing results are suitable for those who may already love Lemony Snicket or the worlds of Tim Burton.

Age recommendation: 14+ Contains some adult subject matter and situations.

Cast & Crew

Gorey Stories is directed by David M. Jenkins, director of such previous Halloween hits as The History of the Devil, Dracula, Titus Andronicus, After Frankenstein and The Pillowman. Gorey Stories is under the baton of music director Angela Lakin, who also plays piano in the on-stage trio, which is rounded out by cello and flute. The monochromatic look (black, white and grey) of the show will be brought to life by scenic and lighting design by Brian Smallheer and costumes by two-time Best of the Bay Award winning designer Katrina Stevenson.

Check out the Gorey Stories bios for more about the cast and crew.

Season Tickets

Gorey Stories is part of Jobsite's 2007-08 Mainstage Season and is eligible to be part of a Jobsite Season Ticket package. See how you can save up to 20% off tickets to Gorey Stories and other Jobsite productions.