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Community Corner

Murder, Madness, Mayhem at the Larchmont Library

Frank Connelly brings Edgar Allan Poe back to life with this Halloween presentation.

Halloween week seems like the right time to conjure up ghosts of the past. And who better than Edgar Allan Poe.

Reference Librarian Frank Connelly channeled the horror writer at the Larchmont Public Library for the first Murder Madness Mayhem and Poe.

Over 40 people filled the Michael P. Coords Activity Room Monday as Connelly entered in costume as Poe. There was absolute silence as Connelly began to read the writer’s work. The audience listened closely as the words began to change the atmosphere into a dark and eerie state fit for the Halloween season.

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Connelly was scheduled to do the presentation last year but it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. He said the material wasn't really appropriate to be done at any other time of year.

“Poe is the Patron Saint of Halloween,” Connelly said.

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Connelly said preparation was key in bringing Poe back to life through his work. He used audio books as the most effective tool. They allowed Connelly to pick up on Poe’s cadences and mannerisms to recreate an authentic portrayal of the author.

“It’s the kind of thing you listen to in the car on the way to work,” said Connelly.

Connelly has been reading Poe since middle school, and as a result some of the words are known by heart.

When asked what he enjoyed most about portraying Poe, Connelly said it was for the audience. They could simply read the works on their own, but instead chose to listen and see him do it.

Damien Germino, administrative coordinator of student services, watched the presentation closely. He pointed out a few things that caught his attention.

“The ambiance and the candelabras are the two things that really stood out,” he said.

Germino also said that it wasn't until hearing this presentation that he realized how broad Poe’s works were.

“His narratives were more expressive than I thought,” he said.

Geoff Colquitt, public relations director of the Larchmont Public Library, said he was captivated by the ambiance of the room with the candelabras. 

“Poe by nature is sinister, so the dark room amplified that,” he said. 

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