Sally Mayes, John Paul Almon and Lauren Kennedy Will Lead Theatre Raleigh's THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

Theatre Raleigh invites you to come see the world premiere adaptation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood: A Musical by Rupert Holmes on May 11 - 22 at the Kennedy Theatre. The show is created by Tony award-winning composer/writer Rupert Holmes, best known for broadway show Curtains, as well as the feature film A Star Is Born starring Barbra Streisand and, most famously, his pop hit Escape (The Piña Colada Song). Rupert Holmes is the first person in theatrical history to solely win Tony awards as an author, a composer and a lyricist. Come be one of the first to see this adaptation of Charles Dickens' unfinished work, where the mystery of the murder of Edwin Drop is examined.

Tickets are $32.50/adults and $30.00/senior/student/military and are available at http://www.theatreraleigh.com. Group rates available by calling the box office - 919-832-9997.

"It isn't often a writer of the caliber of Rupert Holmes asks if you are interested in helping to re-imagine his show. Along with Director/Choreographer DJ Salisbury, we've made it more intimate and streamlined for small theaters around the country to produce. Theatre Raleigh is a very excited to be on the ground floor of this project," said Lauren Kennedy, Artistic Director of Theatre Raleigh.

This wildly warm-hearted theatrical experience kicks off when the Music Hall Royale "puts on" its flamboyant rendition of an unfinished Dickens mystery in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The story itself deals with John Jasper (Adam Poole), a Jekyll-and-Hyde choirmaster who is quite madly in love with his music student, the fair Miss Rosa Bud (Alexandra May). Now, Miss Bud is, in turn, engaged to Jasper's nephew, young Edwin Drood (Lauren Kennedy). Our title character disappears mysteriously one stormy Christmas Eve-but has Edwin Drood been murdered? And if so, then whodunnit? The giddy playfulness of this play-within-a-play draws the audience toward one of the play's most talked-about features, which allows the audience to vote on the solution as prelude to the most unusual and hilarious finale!

Cast & Crew:

Drood - Lauren Kennedy*

Rosa Bud - Alexandra May

Jasper - Adam Poole

Puffer - Sally Mayes*

Neville - Jacob Dickey

Helena - Marisa Roberge

The Chairman - John Paul Almon*

Durdles - Robert Kaufman

Crisparkle - David Bartlett

Bazzard - Mike Raab

Flo - AC Donohue

Director/Choreographer - DJ Salisbury

Music Director - Jay Wright

Scenic Design - Chris Bernier

Lighting Design - Thomas Mauney

Property Design - Timothy Domack

Costume Design - Allison White

Sound Design - Eric Collins

Also, starring are Broadway veterans Sally Mayes, John Paul Almon and Lauren Kennedy. Mayes is a Tony nominee having appeared in Welcome to the Club, Closer Than Ever, She Loves Me (she garnered Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for her performance) to name a few. Film and TV she has performed in Sex and the City and Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Producers.

John Paul (JP) Almon boasts Broadway and first national tours including Phantom of the Opera, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Parade, Candide, My Fair Lady, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Side Show.

Raleigh native, Kennedy is the current Artistic Director for Theatre Raleigh and has performed on Broadway in Spamalot, Les Miserables, Side Show and Sunset Boulevard.

Remaining 2016 Hot Summer Nights Series:

All My Sons- June 8 - 19, Kennedy Theatre (play)

The Light in the Piazza- July 6 - 14, North Carolina Museum of Art (musical)

Steel Magnolias- July 27 - August 7, Kennedy Theatre (play)

Million Dollar Quartet- August 17 - 28, Kennedy Theatre (musical)

2016 Cool Summer Evenings Concert Series:

Theatre Raleigh favorite, Jeremy Schonfeld- April 30

TBA- May 28 & 29, Kennedy Theatre

National recording artist, Yolanda Rabun- July 9, Kennedy Theatre

Composer and lyricist, Georgia Stitts- July 16, Kennedy Theatre

TBA- July 17, Kennedy Theatre

*Member of Actor's Equity Association

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