Riverside Theatre Presents THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present the hilarious and interactive musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, performing on the Waxlax Stage from January 16 - February 4, 2018. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is sponsored by Dick & Rosemary Haverland, Dick & Stephanie Solar, Gail Williams and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group.

Based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a musical comedy with book, music and lyrics written by Rupert Holmes. The story revolves around the murder of a young and charming man named Edwin Drood. The question is who killed him? Was it the leering romantic rival, the infamous purveyor of opium, the mysterious twins who just arrived from Ceylon, or another dastardly villain?

Dickens began publication of Drood in 1870 in episodic installments. However, with Dickens' sudden death that year, the novel was never finished and Dickens didn't leave any notes that would have solved the mystery.

Dickens' death and the publication of his final written episode, various authors attempted to solve the mystery, which allowed for many possible conclusions.

When Rupert Holmes was approached to write a musical by theater impresario Joseph Papp for the New York Shakespeare Festival, Holmes chose to tackle Drood. But, how do you adapt a story that has no ending?

Holmes solved the 'ending' dilemma by writing various endings to the show and allowing the audience to choose which ending they preferred. This allowed audience interaction and the opportunity to have different outcomes at subsequent performances. Drood was the first Broadway show to have multiple endings.

After a highly successful run at the New York Shakespeare Festival in New York City in August 1985, The Mystery of Edwin Drood opened on Broadway in December 1985 and ran until May 1987.

The musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards® and won five including Best Musical. The opening night cast starred George Rose, Cleo Laine, Howard McGillin, Betty Buckley, Donna Murphy, Judy Kuhn, and Rob Marshall, among other notable performers.

Riverside's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood will be directed and choreographed by DJ Salisbury and stars Warren Kelley (The Chairman), Anne Brummel (Edwin Drood), Rachael Ferrera (Rosa Bud), Peter Saide (John Jasper), Sally Mayes (Princess Puffer), John Paul Almon (Reverend Crisparkle), Wade McCollum (Neville Landless), Claire Neumann (Helena Landless), Andrew Sellon (Bazzard), Norman Large (Durdles), and Sarah Primmer (Flo)

The design and production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Director) Richard Crowell (Scenic Design), Michael Bottari and Ronald Case (Costume Design), Kurt Alger (Costume Coordinator), Sarah Elliott (Lighting Design), Trevor Peters (Sound Design), and Amy M. Bertacini (Production Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York City by Wojcik / Seay Casting.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood performs January 16 - February 4, 2018 on the Waxlax Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $75. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

Performance Schedule:

January 16, 19, 20, 26, 27, February 2 & 3 @ 8pm

January 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, February 3 & 4 @ 2pm

January 17, 18, 24, 25, 30, 31, & February 1 @ 7:30pm

The Stark Stage season also includes: Lombardi (January 30 - February 18), Gypsy (March 6 - 25) and Mamma Mia (April 10 - 29).

The Waxlax Second Stage season includes: Buyer & Cellar (March 20 - April 8).

Mystery of Edwin Drood is presented by Riverside atre's Patron Producers Group: Brad & Fran Anderson, Lois Appleby, Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan^, Carol Atkinson, Barbara M. Baldwin, David & Cynthia Bardes, Paul & Jayne Becker, Sam & Susie Bell, Dick & Sue Bergeman, Ted & Debbie Berghorst, Jerry & Anne Blatherwick , John & Anita Brennan, Peter & Susie Brinckerhoff, Bill & Laura Buck, Tim & Carol Buhl, Bill & Karen Campbell, Don & Rose Ciampa, Dottie Currie, John & Sue Dobbs, Bill & Laura Frick, Mary Jane Grant, Herb & Ann Gullquist, Bill & Eva Gurley, Duke & Gael Habernickel, Robert & Pat Hemingway Hall, Dick & Rosemary Haverland, Calvin & Sally Hills, Dave Horner, Ronald F. Hunt, Fred & Susie Kasten, John & Pam Kean, Paul & Nancy Knapp, Judy & Lou LaFage, Bill and Joy Lane, Whitney & Betty MacMillan, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, Brooke Megrue, Ted & Dawn Michael, Bob & Susan Morrison, Wally & Peggy Nelson, Bobbie Olsen, Don & Connie Patterson, Ed & Pat Pavlish, Michael & Kathie Pierce, Connie Pitcher, Helen Post, Ted & Carol Price, Michael & Anne Rhoads, John Roberts & Juli Blunt, Ron & Nancy Rosner, Bill & Judy Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Bill & Marlynn Scully, Ned & Emily Sherwood, Joe & Mary AliceA. Smith, Stephanie Smith, Dick & Stephanie Solar, Charlotte Stifel, Dick & Barbara Stockton, Doug & Dhuanne Tansill, John & Tobey Taylor, Marge Turley, Lorne & Heidi Waxlax, Pat & Carol Welsh, Ken & Liz Whitney, and Gail D. Williams. ^ Bequeathed

The 2017-2018 Season is sponsored by: Wilmington Trust, Fidelity Investments, Dale Sorensen Real Estate, The O'Haire Group - Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Sea Turtle Real Estate, Northern Trust, Indian River Press Journal, Vatland Honda, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Nelson Morgan Wealth Management - Merrill Lynch and Treasure & Space Coast Radio(WGYL, JACK FM, Ocean FM, B94, WTTB).

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.

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