Last night, I went to the Huntington Library and Gardens for their Poe & Gorey night. Eleven scenes or poetry from these two masters were performed from 7pm to 9:30pm, scattered across the gardens, lit by flames (candles or torches), the actors in period dress.

I helped start this, six years ago, and appeared for three years in the (at the time) only Gorey section - The Green Beads, the Insect God, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and Wuggly Ump. But then, I got an unpredictable job, and haven't been able to participate. Last night was the first time I was able to see the night as a regular patron would.

First off, the gardens themselves are breathtaking during that hour before sundown. Flowing expanses of lawn dipping down into a dense grouping of trees. Statues rising up, seemingly out of nowhere (especially if you've gone off the path). A glimpse of far off lawn surrounded by more patches of greenery. The sound of water nearby, but not visible. I so fell in love with the place.

The scenes, too, were magical, an adult way to indulge the senses for the macabre, a pre-Halloween party. The torchlight made everything a bit eerier than it would have been, and hearing The Raven, spoken by a master with a fire roaring in the outdoor fireplace near him, was deliciously spine tingling.

Going from one scene to another often took quick footwork - they were not necessarily conveniently placed near another. At 9:30, I was racing from The Raven to my home spot with Wuggly Ump, and I got lost. Completely. Thoroughly. Wandering the gardens, in the dark, without a flashlight. And not a soul to be seen.

Soon I was jogging, and I could hear small screams, tinkling laughter, a murmur of voices all from far away - scenes being done in other areas - but it added to the fear I felt, even though knowing nothing would harm me. But I could almost hear the villain's harsh breathing, his footsteps still several paces behind me and, nodding, knew it would be a perfect place for a murder. Finally finding the sundial where Wuggly Ump would be performed was rather anticlimactic, but on the whole the experience was a nifty button on the evening.

One night only, the event had been sold out for a couple of weeks - tickets go on sale in September - and only 600 guests are allowed in.

It is truly an event not to be missed. And, unfortunately, over for another year.