The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Stage Adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven And Six Other Points Of Interest

Excaliber Shakespeare Company Founder and Classical Text Adapter DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON, as do many fans of the literary works of renowned American poet and storyteller EDGAR ALLAN POE, firmly believes that POE IS THE FATHER OF THE DETECTIVE STORY GENRE with his notable short story "THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE."

Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON has long admired the works of the great American poet and storyteller EDGAR ALLAN POE. During the decade between 1991 and 2001, in the cities of Louisville, Ky., St. Louis, Mo. and Chicago, Il., with a variety of very talented stage performers, Mr. Robinson garnered some critical praise and attention for his adaptation, staging and performance as THE NARRATOR in multiple presentations of THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO ADAPTATION OF "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE.

Part One of Arts Reporter MYRNA PETLICKI'S Nov. 24, PIONEER PRESS OAK LEAVES Feature Story on DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON and THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE at THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE OF OAK PARK, IL. 1999 Pioneer Press Oak Leaves News-Photo of DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON performing "THE RAVEN" by ANDY CARLSON.

The Final Stanza of EDGAR ALLAN POE'S poetic horror classic "THE RAVEN" as emblazoned upon a T-Shirt.

Part Two of Arts Reporter MRYNA PETLICKI'S NOV. 24, 1999 PIONEER PRESS OAK LEAVES Feature Story on DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON and THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE at THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE OF OAK PARK, IL. 1999 Pioneer Press News-Photo of ESC Member ERICKA AYCHE'LE performing a portion of EDGAR ALLAN POE'S "THE BELLS" by ANDY CARLSON.

EDGAR ALLAN POE'S "THE RAVEN" is so popular in American and World Culture that it has even been represented as a fully-illustrated POP-UP BOOK!

The great American Poet and Storyteller EDGAR ALLAN POE with a famed friend.

Part One of Arts Reporter DARRYL CATER'S Dec. 1, 1999 WEDNESDAY JOURNAL OF OAK PARK Feature Story and Theatre Review of DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON and THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE at THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE OF OAK PARK, IL. 1999 Wednesday Journal News-photo of ESC Member DANIEL KUHLMAN performing POE'S "THE TELL-TALE HEART" by ANDY CARLSON.

Part Two of Arts Reporter DARRYL CATER'S Dec. 1, 1999 WEDNESDAY JOURNAL OF OAK PARK Feature Story and Theatre Review of DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON and THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE at THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE OF OAK PARK, IL.

ESC Member and talented actress-dancer JENN WILLIAMS rehearses her portion of EDGAR ALLAN POE'S "THE BELLS" for the 1999 EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" By EDGAR ALLAN POE adapted, directed and narrated by DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON at THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE in Oak Park, IL. 1999 ESC "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" Archival Photo by ANDY CARLSON.

Nov. 1999 Chicago Reader Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago staging of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by KIM WILSON.

Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recogntion Award Winner, Chicago WKKC Radio Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award Winner, Los Angeles Elate Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO FOUNDER DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON has been proud over the years to serve as Adapter, Director, Producer and Performer of the role of THE NARRATOR in The ESC's presentation of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE in stagings in St. Louis, Mo., Chicago, Il. and Louisville, Ky. Photo by MITCHELL ROSE.

One of the greatest writers of all time in the English Language is the renowned 19th-century American poet and storyteller EDGAR ALLAN POE. The poems and tales of Mr. Poe are some of the finest written including his most famous work "THE RAVEN" penned in 1845. Excaliber Productions, Ltd. in St. Louis and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director and Producer DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON for multiple seasons ( between the decade of 1991 and 2001 ) served as Adapter, Director and Narrator of a critically-praised staging of the American Master's work entitled "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE at such venues as The Midtown Arts Center and The Focal Point ( in St. Louis ); Cafe Di Falco and Cafe Voltaire ( in Chicago ); and The Rudyard Kipling Pub in Louisville, Ky. The ESC staging was also presented in a well-attended engagement at THE WOODSON REGIONAL LIBRARY OF CHICAGO in 1996. Perhaps, Founder Robinson's favorite staging of the evening of seven Poe works occurred in 1999 when THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO presented the literary arts performance piece as its debut performance for its new home THE HARRISON STREET GALLERIES STUDIO THEATRE OF OAK PARK, IL. in the late fall right after ALL HALLOW'S EVE. In addition to DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE NARRATOR, the staging included FEATURED PERFORMERS DANIEL KUHLMAN, ERICKA AYCHE'LE and JENN WILLIAMS. ANDY CARLSON served as Production Photographer and Assistant To The Director.

SOLVING A MURDER AT "THE HOLLOW"!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, four-time Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nominee, Los Angeles Marcom Masque Theatre Award Nominee, Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( right ) joined by his assistant DETECTIVE SGT. PENNY, played by skilled actor DOUG MATTINGLY, endeavors to solve a murder at an English countryside estate in AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented in 2014 by The Kentwood Players at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

INVESTIGATING THE SUSPECTS!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation award-winning actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( in rear row-center ) has a house full of suspects for murder he has to contend with in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW." Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

INTERROGATING A MOVIE STAR: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner and Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( left ) with his assistant Detective Sgt. Penny ( Doug Mattingly, right ) interrogate American film actress Veronica Craye ( Samatha Barrios, center ) in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award Winner, WKKC Radio Chicago Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award Winner, Los Angeles Marcom Masque Theatre Award Nominee, Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON appeared as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Show Card / Poster Courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS DURING A KILLER WEEKEND AT "THE HOLLOW"!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award Winner, WKKC Radio Chicago Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award Winner, Los Angeles Marcom Masque Theatre Award Nominee, Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( rear row - third from right ) must deduce among the residents, servants and guests whom the murderer at an English country estate might be in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

RETURNING TO A STAGE NEAR YOU IN A DICKENS OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL MYSTERY: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON will assume the marvelous dual roles of MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSIC HALL ROYALE and The Honorable MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO ( Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th ) revival of the multi-talented Composer / Lyricist / Book Author / Orchestrator RUPERT HOLMES' wonderful Tony Award-winning SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MUSICAL WHODUNIT "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" ( based on the final and unfinished novel by English literary master CHARLES DICKENS ) being presented Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30 pm. and Sundays Afternoons at 2:00 pm. in the lovely and intimate Black Box Theatre of ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, Il. 60614. Image courtesy of www.saintsebastianplayers.org.

REHEARSING A NEW RENDITION OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL WHODUNIT!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE HONORABLE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA rehearses a scene with skilled and award-winning Saint Sebastian Players Acting Company Member ERIC PRAHL as DURDLES and MR. NICK CRICKER for the new Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 SAINT SEBASTAIN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" ( based on the final and uncompleted novel by CHARLES DICKENS ) directed and music-directed by multi-talented stage veteran ROBERT-ERIC WEST at the lovely 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info on Mr. Robinson & Mr. Prahl in SSP's "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" may be obtained at ( 773 ) 404-7922 or www.saintsebastianplayers.org.

DAMNED IF THERE YOU ARE!: Members of The Victorian Acting Company THE MUSIC HALL ROYALE offer the opening number of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" including Front Row ( L-R ) SEAN MICHEAL BARRETT as JOHN JASPER / CLIVE PAGET, LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER / MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK, DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT / MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA, SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING, PETER KATTNER III as NEVILLE LANDLESS / VICTOR GRINSTEAD and the Second Row RUSS GAGER as THE REVEREND MR. CRISPSPARKLE / MR. CEDRIC MONCREIFFE, ADAM HOAK as BAZZARD / MR. PHILLIP BAX, ERIC S. PRAHL as DURDLES / MR. NICK CRICKER, SHAYLA ROGERS as ROSA BUD / MISS DIERDRE PEREGRINE and ANNA GALLUCCI as HELENA LANDLESS / MISS JANET CONOVER. Performances are Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. at The Black Box Theatre of ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to all working performing artists upon reservation and inquiry.

TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MURDERER: Joined by SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING in the second row-rear DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA introduces audiences to major suspects in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival of RUPERT HOLMES' "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" playing Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 440-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working professionals in The Performing Arts throughout the opening weekend shows.

AN ACTOR FINDS SOME LUCK!: DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA encourages musical theatre vet ADAM HOAK as the under-rated actor and playwright BAZZARD / MR. PHILLIP BAX to perform his unpublished and unheard song "NEVER THE LUCK" in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' marvelous musical whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWINM DROOD" being performed Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at THE ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60616. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working performing artists upon inquiry throughout the opening weekend shows.

DONT QUIT WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD!: Joined in the front row ( L-R ) by talented musical theatre performers LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER / MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK and SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA, leads the cast in a kick-line reprise of one of multi-talented composer, lyricist, book author RUPERT HOLMES' signature songs in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD." Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working professionals who provide credentials and make a reservation/inquiry.

BACKSTAGE SQUABBLE AT THE MUSICAL HALL ROYALE: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in his dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA ( center-left ) gazes along with other Members of The Music Hall Royale with some dismay at SARAH MYERS ( center-right ) in her dual roles of EDWIN DROOD & MISS ALICE NUTTING after London's Leading Male Impersonator makes some unkind remarks about The Victorian Acting Company in Act Two of DIRECTOR / MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT-ERIC WEST'S 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival staging of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being presented Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets at the rate of $7.00 per person are available to confirmed performing artists, directors, designers and technicians who provide resumes, headshots, business cards at The Theatre.

YOUR CHAIRMAN WELCOMES YOU TO CHICAGO'S MUSICAL COMEDY MYSTERY REVIVAL OF THE YEAR!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON returned to The Windy City stage this fall as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF RUPERT HOLMES' "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD." Photo by ERYN WALANKA.

OCT.26, 2018 INVITED DRESS REHEARSAL / PREVIEW REVIEW OF THE SAINTSEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO REVIVAL OF RUPERT HOLMES' TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL WHODUNIT "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" BY GERALD H. BAILEY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF GENESIS THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS.

Chicago Theater - Best Plays Week of November 7, 2018-1541784822

INTRODUCING A DICKENS OF A CAST!: Joined In The Front Row ( L-R ) by LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER & MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK ( to his left ) and SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD & MISS ALICE NUTTING ( to his right ) Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-Winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR SAPSEA ( center ) introduces us to the various SUSPECTS and CANDIDATES FOR MURDERER in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" including ( in the rear row L-R ) RUSS GAGER as THE REVEREND MR. CRISPARKLE & MR. CEDRIC MONCRIEFFE, ADAM HOAK as BAZZARD & MR. PHILLIP BAX, ERIC S. PRAHL as DURDLES & MR. NICK CRICKER, SEAN MICHAEL BARRETT as JOHN JASPER & MR. CLIVE PAGET, SHAYLA ROGERS as ROSA BUD & MISS DIERDRE PEREGRINE, ANNA GALLUCCI as HELENA LANDLESS & MISS JANET CONOVER and PETER KATTNER III as NEVILLE LANDLESS & MR. VICTOR GRINSTEAD. 2018 Saint Sebastian Players "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" Publicity Photo by ERYN WALANKA.

YOUR CHAIRMAN & YOUR MAYOR INVITES AND ENCOURAGES YOU TO VOTE!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON stars in the wonderful dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in The Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago 2018 SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF-BY-AUDIENCE-VOTE Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Comedy Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being staged at the lovely, 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. through Nov. 18, 2018. For tickets and reservations call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. 2018 Photo of DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & Mayor Thomas Sapsea by Set Designer & Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.

YOUR CHAIRMAN & YOUR MAYOR ENCOURAGES YOU TO VOTE AT CHICAGO'S MUSICAL COMEDY MYSTERY REVIVAL EVENT OF THE YEAR!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director & Producer DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON returned to The Windy City Stage this fall with his critically-praised portrayal of the marvelous dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE HONORABLE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' wonderful Tony Award-winning, Solve-It-Yourself Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" presented at the lovely, 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. 2018 Photo of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & The Mayor Thomas Sapsea in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Production Set Designer & Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.

"If the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum in Old Town were still open, Excaliber director and actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson would probably get his own wing. He's the kind of deliciously melodramatic elocutionist who disappeared about a century ago, after doing declamatory readings of "the classics" on every vaudeville stage and in every state fair tent in the northern hemisphere. Performing selected works of Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven and Six Other Points of Interest, Robinson has got it all down pat: the clipped diction, the grand gestures ( he doesn't sit down, he swoops down ), the quivering, orotund voice drenched in a Barrymore-esque accent, even the full-length purple smoking jacket. Yet his chocolate-brown skin, bald head, and dancerly grace add an unexpected sensuality to his persona. If Alistair Cooke had given birth to Isaac Hayes' son, he would have turned out an awful lot like Robinson."  -- Justin Hayford, The Chicago Reader, Nov. 9, 1995.

"It's wonderful that people like actor-adapter-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson recognize Edgar Allan Poe's dramatic potential -- his mastery of dark, suspenseful narrative -- and bring his chilling poetry and prose to the stage. " -- Kim Wilson, The Chicago Reader, Nov. 4, 1999.  

WEDNESDAY JOURNAL OF OAK PARK, IL. Feature Story on Adapter, Director, Producer DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE NARRATOR in the 1999 EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO staging of "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE from Editor DARRYL CATER. Wednesday Journal News-Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson performing "THE RAVEN" by ANDY CARLSON.

The Rich, Lush Language of An American Gothic Literary Master Lent Itself Well to Actor-Adapter-Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Staging of The Raven And Six Other Points of Interest 

Perhaps it was because his biological parents were both stage actors. Perhaps it was due to his own well-to-do southern adoptive parents disapproving of many of his actions ( including being kicked out of West Point Academy ). Perhaps it was because his personal pain was so deep after the passing of his wife ( the love of his life ).  Perhaps it was because he truly sensed that his own life would not be very long. Whatever the reasons that drove him into becoming one of the greatest literary masters of the 19th century may always remain in shadow and ( as the author of one of the first detective stories The Murders In The Rue Morgue ) perhaps the man, the myth, the literary legend, would prefer it kept that way. What is known is this: Edgar Allan Poe was and is one of the finest American authors of prose and poetry.  His writing is rich, lush and undeniably theatrical and dramatic. And it was his penchant for telling tales of mystery and horror with such flair that drew Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson to his numerous works. Beginning in 1990 as a Excaliber Productions Ltd. of Chicago staged reading at  The Rudyard Kipling Pub in Louisville, Kentucky ( with the highly-talented young actor Christian Kohn,  who would become a future critically-praised Chicago and New York stage performer, play director and noted college theatre lecturer, bringing to life The Tell-tale Heart ), followed by the same at The Midtown Arts Center of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Robinson ( joined by a variety of talented young actors in featured roles ) would continue over the course of a decade to evolve and present his original stage adaptation of The Raven And Six Other Points of Interest by Edgar Allan Poe. By the time he mounted his final Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago staging of the piece at The Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theatre of Oak Park, IL. in 2001, the set and final completely memorized and performed bill of literary story and poem works included: El Dorado, The Tell-tale Heart, The City In The Sea, Annabel Lee, The Conquerer Worm, The Bells and The Raven ( which was Mr. Robinson's signature performance piece as Narrator and Host ). From its inception, the purpose of the multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago was to entertain, to enlighten and to educate. With the group's staging of The Raven And Six Other Points of Interest by Poe which would over the years play in schools, libraries, restaurants, and be performed ( in portions ) on-the-air at local radio stations, part of its purpose was achieved. 

A RAVEN DIRECTOR AND PERFORMER ALUM'S UPDATE!: 

Most recently, during an extended year-long visit to his original hometown of Chicago, Darryl Maximilian Robinson garnered attention for his well-received portrayal of the marvelous dual roles of Mr. William Cartwright, Your Chairman of The Music Hall Royale and The Mayor Thomas Sapsea of Cloisterham, England in skilled Director / Music Director Robert-Eric West's 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago Revival Production of Rupert Holmes' classic Tony Award-winning Best Musical Mystery Whodunit The Mystery of Edwin Drood presented at the lovely, more than a century old St. Bonaventure Church in the West Lakeview neighborhood of The Windy City. Mr. Robinson's performance was critically-praised, documented earlier this year by Wikipedia, and in November of 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre, captured for him a 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident  Non-Equity ). The SSP Revival of  The Mystery of Edwin Drood received a grand total of Seven 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nominations including: Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Sarah Myers for her fine portrayal of Edwin Drood and Miss Alice Nutting; Best Direction of A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Robert-Eric West; Best Choreography ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Tamara Drew; Best Costume Design ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Sandra Leander; Best Set Design ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Emil Zbella; and Best Ensemble of A Musical ( Resident Non-Equity ) for THE ENTIRE CAST! Those who love musical theatre performance in The Windy City that would like to honor and support the work of Mr. Robinson and his fellow nominees of Rupert Holmes' brilliant but seldom performed stage classic with their votes for this critically-praised Non-Equity professional theatre production may do so by visiting: BroadwayWorld.com Chicago Regional Theatre Awards Voting!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/liveupdateregion.cfm?btype=1583&region=Chicago#sthash.X7vVbz1q.nsLkIoku.dpbs

https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/voteregion.cfm

Your Continued Support of The Tradition of Non-Equity Professional Theatre In Chicago Is Appreciated! https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/VIDEO-Darryl-Maximilian-Robinson-Performs-Two-Versions-of-The-Bards-St-Crispins-Day-Speech-in-LA-20191226

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/calendar/event/20191231/713099/until-dec-31-2019-the-public-may-go-online-vote-for-drood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhWim4B2LR0 https://www.alignable.com/los-angeles-ca/the-excaliber-shakespeare-company-los-angeles-archival-project

THE NEW 2020 LOGO!: 2020 EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LOS ANGELES ARCHIVAL PROJECT LOGO DESIGN BY ALAN OCHOA.

Darryl Maximilian Robinson Rehearses Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech At LA's Lincoln Heights Jail!-1576977175

Darryl Maximilian Robinson Presents Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech In LA ( The Inside Rendition )!-1577080180

Note: The multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago is pleased, proud and honored to share and present his archival article in acknowledgement of 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre!

http://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/100346-the-raven-and-six-other-points-of-interest-at-the-harrison-street-galleries-studio-theatre-1999-2001

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112800813/

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112810365/

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/141430265/

https://www.facebook.com/680472558642952/posts/in-our-continuing-getting-to-know-you-series-with-the-cast-of-drood-meet-darryl-/1978447312178797/

http://www.jeffawards.org/archives?combine=Darryl+Maximilian+Robinson&field_nomination_category_target_id=94&field_award_year_target_id=58&field_division_target_id=13&field_recipient_value=1

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-raven-and-six-other-points-of-interest/Content?oid=900690

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-raven-and-six-other-points-of-interest/Content?oid=888969

AN ACCLAIMED EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO ALUM!: Multi-talented and critically-praised Chicago and New York Stage Actor CHRISTIAN KOHN was a member of the original St. Louis Resident Acting Company of EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO in the early 1990s starring in the title role of GEORGE BERNARD SHAW'S "DON JUAN IN HELL" and appearing as A FEATURED PERFORMER in Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Producer, Adapter and Director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON'S staged dramatic readings of "A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES AND MORE TALES" by DYLAN THOMAS and "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE. Currently a high-in-demand east coast stage performer with Broadway credits, Mr. Kohn also serves frequently as A Lecturer of Drama.

https://en.everybodywiki.com/Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson

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A VETERAN STAGE ACTOR IN THE CITY OF ANGELES!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ).

PLAYING A DICKENS OF A PAIR OF ROLES IN A REVIVAL OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL MYSTERY CLASSIC!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Los Angeles-based theatre artist and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON had a musical theatre performer's field day on the occasion he returned to his hometown of Chicago and appeared for the first time in 17 years ( to wonderful reviews ) and played the marvelous dual roles of The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright of The Music Hall Royale and The Honorable Mayor Thomas Sapsea in skilled director / music director ROBERT-ERIC WEST'S 2018 revival staging of multi-talented composer, lyricist, book author RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning, CHARLES DICKENS' novel-based Best Musical Mystery Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" presented by THE SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS CHICAGO on stage at the lovely, more than a century old ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH in the Lakeview neighborhood of The Windy City. Photo by SSP Production Set Designer and Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.

A SHAKESPEAREAN IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ).

WELCOME TO MR. ROBINSON'S AWARDS ROOM!: 2017 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON displaying his 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Achievement By An Actor In A Principal Role for his performance as SAM SEMELA in the ESC's 1997 revival production of ATHOL FUGARD'S "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS" by Los Angeles Visual Artist and Photographer J.L. WATT.

A TRULY LOVELY ACTING HONOR!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON is winner of a 2015 / 2016 Los Angeles ELATE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AWARD NOMINATION as Best Actor for his perfomance as ERNEST in the 2016 EMMANUEL LUTHERAN ACTORS THEATRE ENSEMBLE - ELATE revival of TAD MOSEL'S "IMPROMPTU" as part of its bill of one-acts entitled "JUST 4 FUN".

A MULTIRACIAL, NON-EQUITY PROFESSIONAL CHAMBER THEATRE'S FOUNDER!: Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director, Producer and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON has been involved in over 250 live stage and literary arts presentations around the country during his 45-year-long stage career. 2018 Photo of Mr. Robinson at Los Angeles' historic UNION STATION by DANNY BELROSE.

OH, GOD...HOW HE DID LOVE BEING KING!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director, Producer and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as KING HENRY II OF ENGLAND and talented young actor PHILIP ALEXIS WATT as PRINCE JOHN starred in the 1992-1993 EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO non-Equity, multiracial cast revival of JAMES GOLDMAN'S "THE LION IN WINTER" at THE WABASH TRIANGLE CAFE in St. Louis, Missouri. Here are the two actors as they appeared on the cover of The Jan. 1993 St. Louis Edition of INTERMISSION MAGAZINE. Photo by CARL VALLE.

AN LA THEATRE AWARD-NOMINATED CAST OF TAD MOSEL'S "IMPROMPTU"!: Elate Best Supporting Actor Award Nominee JOEY TREZISE as TONY, Elate Best Supporting Actress Award Winner LUCY KRUBINER as LORA, Elate Best Supporting Actress Award Nominee CASEY KRUBINER as WINNIFRED were the marvelous fellow actors who helped Los Angeles-based stage veteran DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON earn a 2015 / 2016 Elate Season Ticket Holder Award Nomination as Best Actor for his performance as the debonair, but aging leading man ERNEST in TAD MOSEL'S classic, allegorical one-act of Life In The Theatre "IMPROMPTU" which was presented by THE EMMANUEL LUTHERAN ACTORS' THEATRE ENSEMBLE - ELATE on a bill of one-acts entitled "JUST 4 FUN" at The Lincoln Stegman Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. Photo courtesy of ELATE.

A HOST AND A GUEST ACTOR PREPARE!:Veteran entertainment journalist and arts reporter RON BREWINGTON welcomes veteran Los Angeles-based stage actor and play director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON ( The Founder of the multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago ) to the set of the 9-19-2016 RMCONAIR performing arts television program "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE," Episode 2.37. Photo by RMCONAIR Production Video Cameraman and Technician LARON "LP" Daviston.

RETURNING TO "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE"!: Host RON BREWINGTON, Actor BRANDIN STENNIS and returning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON appeared on The December 30, 2019 You Tube Edition of the internet performing arts program "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE" streamed live and recorded in Burbank, California.

Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson and Actor Brandin Stennis-1578327164

LOGO FOR "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE."