Debut Theatre Company presents: The Fall of the House of Usher

Debut Theatre Company, a beloved cornerstone of our community, is excited to announce their October production of “The Fall of the House of Usher,” a unique children’s adaptation of the classic tale by Edgar Allan Poe. This innovative production will captivate young audiences with its engaged storytelling, creative staging, and a cast of talented young actors.

After his sister Madeline falls ill, Roderick Usher is left alone in an increasingly ominous house. Soon despair and madness begin to seep into the desolate estate and the swamp that surrounds it. Set against a backdrop of crumbling walls and flickering candlelight, the play weaves together mysterious maladies, spine-tingling shadows, and whispering walls to tell this classic American Gothic tale.

Originally written by Poe in 1839, The Fall of the House of Usher was first published as a short story in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine. Thirty-eight years later, Claude DeBussy reformatted the story as an opera entitled, La Chute de la Maison Usher. Once again adapted as an opera in 1987 by Peter Hamill, the story’s popularity continues to be performed for audiences across the world. Now, in 2024 Debut Theatre Company is bringing the house of Usher to life in a chilling and thrilling, two act play performed by young artists for audiences of all ages. The production is a testament to the power of imagination and the arts, bringing Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story to a new generation.

This show is comprised of 15 hardworking and dedicated actors ages 13-18. These young people not only perform but are also responsible for all technical aspects of the show including costumes, special effects, lighting, sound, and more. The actors have explored how to use physicality, costumes, and lighting to portray the “walls of Usher.”

Join us this October, for a spooky Halloween treat for the entire family. Debut Theatre Company’s production of “The Fall of the House of Usher” will be live on stage at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, October 11-26. As a guest of the Usher House, we invite you to come as you are or dress to match the gothic atmosphere of the show.