Goodspeed Musicals presents THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. Book, music, lyrics, and orchestrations by Rupert Holmes. Directed by Rob Ruggiero. Choreographed by James Gray. Music Direction by Adam Souza. Scenic Design by Ann Beyersdorfer. Costume Design by Hunter Kaczorowski. Lighting Design by Rob Denton. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. Hair & Wig Design by Tommy Kurzman. At Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT, through June 2nd.
By Linda Chin
Having read Dickens’ final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, decades ago and having seen the musical at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park in 1985 – but not the original Broadway show nor the 2012 revival (yes, I am still heartbroken that I missed Chita Rivera’s portrayal of Princess Puffer) – I was eager to see Drood again. Set in London in 1895, Drood is a musical about actors in an offbeat Victorian troupe called the Music Hall Royale who are putting on a musical. With Goodspeed Opera House’s soaring ceilings and ornate architectural details c. 1877 – and a little theater magic to the ornamentation on the balcony and the stage set by scenic designer Ann Beyersdorfer – there couldn’t be a more perfect setting for a whodunit murder mystery musical in Dickensian times.
Act One of The Mystery of Edwin Drood actually opens in the house; after the patrons have been seated, actors dressed in Victorian garb come down the aisles through the orchestra and gaily greet audience members before joining Chairman of the Music Hall Royale, Mr. William Cartwright (a charming and witty Lenny Wolfe), who is the evening’s emcee, onstage. This novel opening sets the stage for a very novel musical that follows, starting with the number ‘There You Are’ sung by the entire company. We are then introduced to the actors playing featured characters: the Jekyll and Hyde-like choirmaster John Jasper (a conniving and charismatic Paul Allen Schaefer) and his young nephew Edwin Drood, who is one of London’s most well-known male impersonators (elegant and eloquent Mamie Parris). Their song “Two Kinsmen” describes their friendship, but they are, in fact, rivals, in love with the same young woman – Rosa Bud (soaring soprano Riley Noland).
Following Rosa, other characters step forward to have their moments in the spotlight, including the vicar Reverend Crisparkle (Paul Slade Smith), opium dealer Princess Puffer (Liz McCartney), the twins from Ceylon – Neville (Levin Valayil) and Helena (Jetta Juriansz), the humble Bazzard (Jamie LaVerdiere) – always the understudy, never the star, the drunken Durdles (David Beach), and the delightfully funny Deputy (Marcus Montgomery). These actors all excel at portraying their characters and are all excellent singers. They also show their versatility when they take on additional roles, for example, when the titular character suddenly disappears, and they are suspects in the murder mystery of Edwin Drood.
Dickens finished just about half of the mystery’s manuscript when he put down his pen for the last time. Mastermind Rupert Holmes was so intrigued and inspired by the story that he turned it into a musical, writing the book, lyrics, music, and orchestrations. Not knowing who Dickens intended the murderer to be, Holmes added another twist; he put the decision in the hands of the audience – and he wrote alternate endings depending on the outcome of the vote. Two songs are performed by a different actor each night, depending on who is voted the murderer (or detective), and one song is performed by a different pair of actors every night, depending on the audience vote. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is an example of live theater at its finest. For tickets and information, go to: https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/drood
