The second Poe Night features two of Poe’s most chilling works: “The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” along with a selection of Poe’s poetry.

In “The Black Cat,” Poe explores guilt, violence, alcoholism, superstition and the terrifying consequences of a conscience that refuses to remain silent. “The Cask of Amontillado” takes guests into a world of calculated revenge as one man lures his unsuspecting victim into the catacombs beneath an Italian city during Carnival.

The evening’s selected poems provide another glimpse into Poe’s haunting imagination, moving between beauty, grief, darkness and despair.

The performances are supported by live piano and atmospheric sound, creating an environment that shifts with each story. The sounds of Carnival give way to the claustrophobic echoes of the catacombs, while footsteps, wind, thunder and other carefully timed effects heighten the tension.

A Dinner with a Darker Side

Food becomes part of the storytelling experience, with a specially designed dinner complementing the evening’s literary themes.

Guests are invited to savor each course while the drama unfolds around them, creating a seamless connection between the culinary and theatrical experiences. The setting, menu, music and performances work together to create an evening that is as much about atmosphere as it is about the stories themselves.

At Dinner with a Side of Drama, the audience doesn’t simply sit back and watch a performance. Guests dine inside the story.

Theater Beyond the Stage

There is no traditional fourth wall separating the audience from the performers. Instead, readers, music, sound and storytelling become part of the dining experience.

The intimate setting allows guests to encounter classic literature in a fresh and unexpected way—surrounded by the people at their table, the atmosphere of the room and the unfolding drama.

The series also supports the Rome Shakespeare Festival, helping advance its mission of bringing theater, literature and the performing arts to audiences throughout the region.

Reservations Required

Poe Nights II takes place October 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Vintage on Broad. $100 per person for a 3 course meal, themed cocktail, wine with dinner and dessert.

Reservations are required. Reservations may be made through the Rome Shakespeare Festival. Open the tab for fundraisers to make a reservation.

Where Every Meal Comes with a Story

Dinner with a Side of Drama continues to create distinctive cultural experiences that bring together Rome’s culinary and performing arts communities.

With each installment, the series explores new stories, themes and literary worlds, giving audiences another reason to gather around the table and experience something together.

For this second Poe Night, the mood is darker. The stories are more dangerous. The shadows run deeper.

And somewhere in the darkness, Poe is waiting.

Dinner with a Side of Drama
Where every meal comes with a story.

The third Poe night is set for Feb. 26. Be sure to mark your calendar now. You will not be disappointed.