Okay. Each scene in Haunted Poe is based on a true story. Really. Each scene is based on a story that truly exists- in books! While that may be a technicality there's another technicality that you may not have thought of... there's more than one Edgar Allan Poe. Really. Brat's got THREE of them. How else could we get the man in so many places at once?

Nathan Holt, or Edgar Allan Poe #2 as we like to call him, is a Brat Productions veteran— if you saw 24-Hour The Bald Soprano, you may remember Mr. Poe #2, er, Mr. Nathan Holt.

We caught up with Nathan and he was kind enough to answer a few questions... including how to spot a Wharton grad.

Getting into the role. What are your pre-performance rituals to get into the Poe zone?

I play darts in the green room to help focus myself. I've never had this luxury before Haunted Poe!

Any anecdotes so far? Funny patrons? Odd technical difficulties.

Anecdote: At the end of The Raven I thank the audience for listening and beg them desperately for loose change with a pewter mug in my hand with some coins in it, as Poe himself might have done. One group was comprised solely of UPenn students (as evidenced by the logos on their clothing). They were all especially dismissive of my plea for change, except for the very last student, who dropped in a quarter. I said to him "you must not go to Wharton!" to which he replied, "It's true, I'm the only one who doesn't!"

How did your view on Poe change as you were working on your roll?

I always knew Poe for his macabre and despondency, but this project really made me aware of his desperation, whether to make money or a name for himself. It was that desperation that I tried to really tap into with my performance.

What's next for you?

My very first musical (since 6th grade)! It's A Christmas Carol at the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids.