APPLETON, WIS. — Charles Dickens’ last, and unfinished novel, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” will be brought to life by the Lawrence University Theatre Arts Department at 8:00 p.m. November 16, 17, and 19, and at 3:00 p.m. November 18 in Stansbury Theatre, in the Music-Drama Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students and are available at the Lawrence University Box Office or by phone at 920-832-6749.
This interactive musical, written by Rupert Holmes, kicks off when the Music Hall Royale, a hilariously loony Victorian musical troupe, puts on its flamboyant rendition of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” The story itself deals with John Jasper, the “Jekyll-and-Hyde” choirmaster who is madly in love with his music student, Miss Rosa Bud who is, in turn, engaged to Jasper’s nephew, Edwin Drood. When Drood mysteriously disappears one stormy Christmas Eve, suspicions arise and questions linger as to whether Drood has been murdered or simply has run off. It is up to the audience to decide how the play ends as Dickens never had the chance to finish his novel before he died.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood has won five Tony Awards, eight Drama Desk Awards along with other numerous awards and honors. After its inception as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival, headed by Joseph Papp of the Public Theatre, The Mystery of Edwin Drood moved to Broadway and played for a total of 608 performances at the Imperial Theatre, where the title was changed to Drood halfway through the run. After its run on Broadway, Drood was staged in London’s West End.
Director and choreographer for the production is Annette Thornton, Lawrence University Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Theatre Arts, music direction is by Jacob Allen ’03, and set design is by Richmond Frielund. Playing the part of John Jasper is Brad Grimmer. Edwin Drood is played by Tamara Forward and Rosa Bud is played by Megan Flod. Chairman of the Music Hall Royale is played by Matthew Murphy.
