In what’s becoming an annual tradition, Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tales will fill the darkened chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary in Santa Ana for a few October nights of Gothic vibes and cocktails.
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…” – from “The Raven”
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy returns to the Fairhaven cemetery Oct. 8-10 for 90-minute theatrical readings featuring four Poe stories and four paired cocktails. The speakeasy has developed into an international tour that first came to the Orange County cemetery in February 2024, after the concept’s original launch in January 2023.
There are now three versions of the show (part one, two and three), each with a different collection of Poe’s tales. The upcoming production in October includes the original lineup – “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Black Cat.”
“Edgar Allan Poe created timeless work that used insane and dark scenarios to exaggerate and emulate the very real human experience,” said Bridget Reilly, who will narrate “The Black Cat.” “As an actress, it is a pleasure to be able to take that art off of the page with some dramatic flair. Any time I get on stage, my goal is to take people on an emotional journey.”
Though he died at the young age of 40 in 1849, Poe remains a giant in American literature. A writer, poet, editor and literary critic, Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, including the 1843 psychological horror short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and the dark, 1845 narrative poem, “The Raven.”
Poe was a master of mystery and the macabre, and is associated with Romanticism and Gothic literature.
Reilly, who also narrates “The Cask of Amontillado” in the second version of the show, said that depending on the piece, the overall tone can be shock, fear, sadness, satire or disdain.
“But within each piece there is nuance,” Reilly said. “For example, ‘The Black Cat’ touches on mental illness and the slow build to insanity that addiction often causes. ‘Annabel Lee’ while somber also shows that when you love someone, that love never truly goes away.”
Julia Tirinnanzi of Florida is chief creative officer at Midnight Creative, which runs the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy as well as the new Serial Killer Speakeasy that launched at the beginning of 2026.
She said part three of the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is also a musical production featuring an original score by Danny Elfman. In this version, an actor portrays Poe onstage as the narrator, guiding the audience through the production while extra stories are told through song.
“It still preserves the intimate, Gothic atmosphere of the original experience while offering audiences an entirely different way to enter Poe’s world, especially those more appreciative of a fresh creative take on Poe’s work,” Tirinnanzi said.
No two performances are exactly the same, she said, because every venue has its own distinct history and atmosphere, and each actor also brings a unique creative interpretation to their character — and even the costumes rotate between productions.
CJ Nickerson, who has been a narrator for about a year, said he makes sure to maintain proper dialect to stay true to the speaking manner of the time period when Poe was born.
“Throughout the show, I give call-and-response moments to the audience, asking fans of Poe about common facts surrounding his life … where he was born, how his wife passed away and famous catchphrases known in his work,” Nickerson said. “I make the audience feel as though they are learning as well as confidently expressing their own knowledge of Poe throughout the show.”
The other key component of the speakeasy experience is the cocktails. The 21-and-over event matches Poe tales thematically with specialty drinks. For example, “The Tell-Tale Heart” is paired with the Pale Blue Eye, made with blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, rose syrup and topped with La Croix.
“One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture – a pale blue eye, with a film over it,” reads the classic tale.
For guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, there are also mocktail versions available.
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy returns to Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary in Santa Ana for the third year this October. Photo by Jessica Peralta, Culture OC 
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy takes place inside a chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary in Santa Ana. Photo by Jessica Peralta, Culture OC
Though the speakeasy makes many other stops in various locations throughout the country – Southern California locations include the Queen Mary in Long Beach, the Wisteria Theater in North Hollywood, Adams Ave. Theater in San Diego and the Star Theatre in Oceanside – there’s something special about having it at a cemetery.
EVENT DETAILS
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
When: Oct. 8-10 (multiple times a day)
Where: Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana
Tickets: Starting at $55
More Info: edgarallanpoebar.com
“The ambiance is incredible,” Tirinnanzi said. “There is a particular sense of peace and beauty within cemeteries. Of course, the setting offers a natural nod to the Gothic atmosphere of Edgar Allan Poe, but it is also a thoughtfully maintained place of history and remembrance. Fairhaven does a beautiful job with the grounds and buildings.”
Tirinnanzi said there’s been a resurgence of interest in Gothic storytelling and aesthetics in popular culture.
“You can see it in recent literary re-imaginings such as Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein,’ Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ and Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights,’ as well as in the popularity of series like ‘Wednesday,’” she said. “Poe remains relevant because beneath the Gothic imagery, he’s writing about timeless human experiences like grief, guilt, obsession, anxiety, love, and of course, the fear of death. As Gothic influences reemerge across film, television, literature and even fashion, new generations are discovering one of the genre’s greatest writers.”
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