Signature Series: Falcon Theatre Presents ‘The Head of Pearl Bryan’

Falcon Takes Flight is bringing a new play about a notorious murder case with local ties to the Newport Branch.

The Head of Pearl Bryan had its world premiere in November of 2023 at Falcon Theatre —and is now taking flight at the Newport Branch.

REGISTERATION AND WAITLIST FOR EVENT ARE FULL. 

Event Details

When: 7 pm Friday, Jan. 12

Where: Newport Branch (901 E 6th St.)

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, AN ENCORE PRESENTATION HAS BEEN ADDED FOLLOWING THE FIRST PERFORMANCE AT 8:30 PM. 

Cincinnati-area playwrights Paul Strickland and Kate MacDonald took on the story of Pearl Bryan’s notorious murder. In 1896, the 22-year-old was found decapitated in Fort Thomas; her head was never located.

The mystery of Pearl Bryan’s case—once called the “crime of the century”—and the location of her head remain today. The case even spawned ghost stories; some say Pearl’s ghost is among those haunting Bobby Mackey’s.

Based on extensive research from newspapers and historical records, Falcon Theatre’s play puts a new spin on the events by telling the story from the perspective of various characters, including Bellevue grocer John Enzweiler.

Pre-show music will be performed by Raison D’etre, a group made up of Violet Rae Webster, Vickie Ellis and Roberta Schultz. According to their website, one critic described the trio of women as “divinely stirring.”

The play is both a part of the library’s ongoing Signature Series and of Falcon Takes Flight, the theater’s outreach wing.

Thank You!

Thank you to the Friends of the Campbell County Public Library for making Signature Series possible.

Friends of the Campbell County Public Library help by volunteering for a number of tasks from hosting library events to assisting staff with special projects. They seek to create public support for the library by keeping the community informed about library services.

Join the Friends

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