Robert B. Kegerreis The Tell-Tale Heart and theatrical collection

American performer and playwright Robert B. Kegerreis (1876-1951) was active in the New York theater scene in the early twentieth century. An enthusiast for the American author, poet, and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), Kegerreis owned a notable collection of his work, publicly recited his poetry, and adapted the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" (1843) into a successful short play (1909).

As an actor, Kegerreis established himself on the vaudeville stage, performing in The Three of Us (1906) and Almost Persuaded (1907). He obtained a lead role as the juror and murderer in the suspenseful play Circumstantial Evidence (1909). The same year, he wrote and starred in his adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart," which built on his reputation for lurid performances. Inspired by what he considered a terrible recitation of Poe's "The Raven" (1845) by a professional elocutionist, Kegerreis decided to try his hand at a serious rendition of Poe's work. The Tell-Tale Heart debuted as "curtain-raiser" for the vaudeville comedy Billy (1909). The short opening play met with favorable reviews that remarked on its contrast with the comedic feature and its overall higher quality compared to other short plays performed for vaudeville audiences. Kegerreis's adaptation of the short story was recognized for its ability to speak to current issues and controversies, in particular police interrogation tactics popularly referred to as the "third degree."

After the success of The Tell-Tale Heart, Kegerreis went on to perform in various plays, including The Ne'er-do-well (1912) and The Great Divide (1917). Kegerreis also continued to write plays, including The Star's Dressing Room (1911).

Biographical information derived from the collection.