To most, seeing “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” seems like a normal evening at the theatre. However, this cannot be farther from the truth. Students have the opportunity to experience the show’s insanity this weekend when the Conservatory performs the show Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Mees auditorium.
This madcap whodunit musical takes us into the Music Hall Royale – an incompetent yet eager British theatre company who treats the audience to their own portrayal of Charles Dickens’s last novel “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”
With crude and raunchy humor, the cast asks the audience to be a partner in the narrative by voting on the ending. “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” left forever unfinished due to Dickens’s death, leaves endless questions unanswered – the one most importantly being the culprit of the murder that the musical attempts to solve.
“Every character has a dark secret. You can’t trust anyone,” says Marrett Laney who portrays Edwin Drood.
The play slowly reveals these dark secrets, allowing to audience to collect clues and draw their own conclusions about what has happened. With almost 400 possible variations on the ending, the audience can vote for who they think the murderer is, who the secret detective is, and who the lovers should be.
“As we rehearse the different endings, we as actors are even finding out more about our characters,” says Jason Crouse who portrays Jasper, a haunting choir director who at times is frightening even to audience members.
The cheerful Chairman guides the audience gently through collecting the clues, all while not-so-gently breaking the fourth wall.
“I hope the audience has fun. With this particular case, the show is enhanced by the audience’s participation and I hope the audience’s enjoyment is also enhanced,” said Crouse.
As the audience watches the members of the Musical Hall Royale cheerfully fumble through the story, they’ll find themselves believing fiercely in the innocence of some and in the guilt of others.
Tickets are $20 for general admission with one free ticket for Capital students, faculty, and staff with a current Capital ID. Tickets can be purchased in the Conservatory of Music Office or one hour before each show in the Lobby of Mees Hall.
