BWW Reviews: Baltimore's Bard Lights In Glen Burnie: POE'S LAST STANZA at the Sunset Restaurant

In its first flirtation with dinner theatre, the Sunset Restaurant in Glen Burnie offers the Baltimore area an evening with Edgar Allen Poe in his native environment: a tavern.

CJ Crowe, whom many in the Baltimore/DC area know as Owner/Producer/Writer/Director of Do Or Die Interactive Murder Mysteries, has written a murder-free historical mystery, which includes audience interaction and absolutely no fourth wall. Originally conceived as a Halloween show, it made its debut in a historical location in Annapolis. It is being presented today, Monday, January 19th, in honor of Mr. Poe's birthday. The birthday show had been slated as a one-off, but quickly sold out for an additional two evenings.

The Sunset Restaurant has been in operation in Glen Burnie since 1960 and is a well-loved local fixture for many locals, and holds a place in the memories of many former high-schoolers as a post-prom destination. The bar area on one side and the packaged goods shop on the other don't hint at the quiet luxury of the dining areas.

The show, which is scheduled to begin at 8, is preceded by dinner, which starts seating at 6:30 for the 7:00 pm meal. Inside the room, snuggled up against 30-something other people, the atmosphere is warm. Crowe acts as hostess, introducing guests to one another, as she knows most of them personally. The menu offers three dinner entree choices, several salad dressings and three $5.00 drink specials. I cannot in good conscience recommend the Raven cocktail, (it's blue), as it tasted like a mouthful of boozy jellybeans. If that's to your liking, please enjoy it. The Annabelle Lee, I'm told, is even more sweet. The Cosmopolitan my new friend Jim orders for me is quite nice.

When my entree arrives, it is a generous portion of shrimp fettucini alfredo, the sauce with less garlic and more salt than is my preference, but it is tasty and nice and the shrimp are plentiful. I eat about half of it. Our server Ashley brings boxes around and offers them before anyone needs to ask. She urges us to order more drinks as she clears, because "it'll be an hour and a half before I'm allowed to come back," which gives us an idea of the running time of Act I. My pals stock up with two apiece, but I'm only midway through my Cosmo and can nurse that thing another two hours if necessary.

Poe enters and immediately engages an audience member. Poe, effortlessly portrayed by Do Or Die veteran John Kelso, is annoyed. The audience member is mildly embarrassed, but completely charmed. The Barmaid, played by Shenandoah University-trained actor Ashlyn Thompson, enters, rescuing the audience member, and the banter between the two characters begins. Crowe's script uses language authentic to Poe's time, and it is difficult to tell which lines are actual "Poe quotes" and which ones simply sound as if they are. This does not, however, make the dialogue inaccessible or muddy. Snappy exchanges and humorous repartee take turns with more serious and introspective moments. Our new pal Edgar Allan recites some poetry. The entire audience is completely invested.

At intermission, Ashley refreshes drinks, (both alcoholic and non-), and delivers coffee to those who have pre-ordered it. Desert is not included in the offering, but I imagine I might've enjoyed a Famous Irish Coffee, had it occurred to me to order one. Though I can't vouch for its fame, I wouldn't argue with the menu's claim, "It goeth down smoothly, Drink it in good health, for it is a treat to warm the heart."

The second act is significantly shorter than the first, and includes more audience interaction than its predecessor. The interaction is undemanding, though the actors are seasoned enough to know a 'don't put me on the spot' face, and accommodate it. Do Or Die has never aspired to make its audience members uncomfortable, and if the only interaction a person wishes is to cheer for the outcome of a contest, that's all that is expected.

By the show's conclusion, audience members have gotten quite chummy with one another. "I did NOT see that coming," a table-mate of mine shares with a fellow at the next table. "Got something in my eye," that fellow responds.

Due to weather concerns on the evening of the "final" show (January 26), an additional show has just been added, for February 9th. Following that, there will be no mo' Poe... until October, when the Sunset restaurant will present POE'S LAST STANZA on Monday evenings October 5th through October 26th. In the meantime, there is talk of Mystery Mondays at the Sunset, which are likely to begin in March.

For more about murder mystery, visit Do Or Die Productions (www.doordiemystery.com) For tickets, please call Do Or Die's box office at 443-422-3810

The Sunset Restaurant is located at 625 Greenway, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061, near the Harundale shopping center.

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