Theater Talk to Feature THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, 12/28-31

With the revival of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" garnering positive reviews in a Roundabout Theatre production at Studio 54, THEATER TALK welcomes two of its talents - Rupert Holmes, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for the 1985 musical, and Will Chase, who plays the dual roles of John Jasper and Mr. Clive Paget.

Holmes talks about the genesis of the musical, based on an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, and how he created the concept of letting the audience decide the ending at each performance. Originally produced by Joseph Papp, the first Broadway production starred George Rose, Betty Buckley, Cleo Laine and Howard McGillin. Chase, one of Broadway's most sought-after young leading men, currently stars in the part originated by McGillin, and shares the stage with Jim Norton, Stephanie J. Block, Chita Rivera and Gregg Edelman. Contrasting the two productions, Holmes believes that the show was a "DC Comics" production the first time, and is a "Marvel Comics" production now.

Co-hosted by Michael Riedel of the New York Post and executive producer Susan Haskins, THEATER TALK featuring "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" premieres at 1 a.m. on Friday, December 28 (2012; early Saturday morning) on Thirteen/PBS, followed in New York City on CUNY TV* Saturday at 8:30 PM, Sunday at 12:30 PM, and Monday at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM. After its initial broadcast, the interview may be viewed online at www.cuny.tv/show/theatertalk

THEATER TALK is the weekly series dedicated to the world of the stage. The program is jointly produced by the not-for-profits Theater Talk Productions and CUNY TV. It is taped in the Himan Brown TV and Radio Studios at The City University of New York (CUNY) TV in Manhattan, and is distributed to 60+ participating public television markets nationwide. THEATER TALK is made possible in part by The New York State Council on the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The TDF/TAP Plus Program, The CUNY TV Foundation and The Friends of THEATER TALK.

*CUNY TV, the City University of New York television station, is carried in New York City's five boroughs - on Channel 75 on Time Warner and Cablevision, Channel 77 on RCN, and Channel 30 on Verizon FiOS.