Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
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BERWYN >> Conestoga High School’s Stoga Theatre will present the musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood, March 1–4, 2017. Director Natalie Wallace joins Musical Director Suzanne Dickinger and Choreographer Nathan Shughart to lead a cast of sixty 9th-12th grade students in this popular Broadway show.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood musical is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name, performed in the style of the late 19th century British pantomime and music hall traditions which feature audience participation, the lead male role played by a woman, and risqué comedy.
Set in 1890s England, The Mystery of Edwin Drood tells the tale of the young and hand-some Edwin Drood who has been mysteri- ously murdered. The culprit could be any number of people including Drood’s romantic rival John Jasper, opium den proprietor Princess Puffer, Drood’s fiancée Rosa Bud, the mysterious Landless twins or someone else! This interactive show allows the audience to become the detectives and vote to determine the murderer and the conclusion to the show!
Directors Wallace and Dickinger noted several challenges to the show, including fitting the entire cast on stage for the many numbers that require the full cast to be singing and dancing, the cast performing in Cockney accent, and the actors being prepared to act and sing any of the multiple possible endings to the show. Musical Director Suzanne Dickinger noted “there is more choral work than any show we’ve done in a long time”. In addition to the pit and cast, there are over 100 students and staff involved in supporting the show and building the remarkable set. The show features elegant period costumes.
Rupert Holmes’ Tony Award winning musical was the first Broadway musical with multi-ple endings. This raucous musical of comedy, romance and suspense is not recom-mended for kids under 12.
Evening performances of Stoga Theatre’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood are at 7 p.m. on March 1-4, and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. Tickets are $12-15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For tickets and information, go to Stoga Theatre’s website, www.stogatheatre.com or call 610- 240-1022. For group sales information, email stogatkts@tesd.net.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Rupert Holmes. By special permission of Tams-Witmark Mu-sic Library, Inc.