In a twist on the old classic, PA's Crescendo Theatre Company presents the world premiere of a new adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's A Tell-Tale Heart, featuring Metagroove, a local Philadelphia rock band.

The combination of Poe's eery verse with a live rock performance continues Crescendo's mission of creating theatre for younger generations after their initial production, a hip-hop adaptation of Georg Buchner's Woyzeck at the 2000 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

This performance will feature Mikaal Sulaiman as the narrator and the band, which includes Michael Carsley (bass), Tom Wilson (drums), Ryan Straud (keyboards) and Andrew Lipke (guitar).

Artistic director Geoffrey Kershner will direct the adaptation, written by company member Julia Benn. In a statement, Benn said, "A Tell Tale Heart lends itself very well to musical exploration such as this. Poe's references to sound, the beating heart and the pure paranoia and energy level in the text allow us to recreate the piece but stay true to the world that Poe creates."

Poe lived in Philadelphia for six years and actually wrote "A Tell-Tale Heart", "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Pit and the Pendulum" and others only a block away from the theatre where the production will be performed. A Tell-Tale Heart runs Nov. 9-30 at the Willow Theatre, located at 421 North 7th St. in Philadelphia. For tickets, call Little Mammoth Productions at (215) 629-0897, or for more information, call Crescendo at (215) 952-2575.

— by Steve Luber