A strong ensemble cast is lined up to perform “Poe-Dunked” via live-stream on the stage at Badin High School on Friday night, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.

“This is a comedic version of various Edgar Allan Poe tales,” said Sarah Cline, drama director at BHS. “It’s hard to believe that Poe can be turned into a comedy, but if you tune in, you will see that writer Burton Bumgarner has done just that.”

Numerous veterans of Badin theater will take the Little Theater stage … as well as some future Badin actors from two area Catholic elementary schools. The show will be live on stage, but with no audience due to the pandemic.

“It’s a good group of students who always have fun and will bring this play to life,” Cline said. “It will be a throwback performance to when there were live plays on television. The audience will be at home, rather than in our Little Theater.”

Badin students on stage include seniors Jenny Blackburn, Hannah Riecke and Cody Wilmer; juniors Jillian Palomino and Cole Sumner; and sophomores Hailey Lipp, June Meehan and Ava Wesner. Three Queen of Peace Elementary students will join the cast – Sam Collins, Brady Cook and Maguire Smith; as well as Andrew Keck from St. Ann.

Twelve short scenes depict events in the life of Edgar Allan Poe – or how his life might have been in today’s world! For instance, “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a police investigation; and “the Cask of Amontillado” is a Jerry Springer-type television show.

According to one synopsis: “This farce accurately reflects some of the events in Poe’s tragic life, yet is fast-paced and wildly entertaining.”

“It’s a very clever, very entertaining show,” Cline said. “The viewers will certainly enjoy it.”

The audience will see the play by going online at www.youtube.com/BadinRams