How well do you know *The Mystery of Edwin Drood*? This unique Broadway musical, based on Charles Dickens' unfinished novel, allows the audience to vote and determine the ending each night. Test your knowledge of this Tony Award-winning show, from its Victorian music hall influences to the complex characters who may—or may not—be the murderer. Dive into behind-the-scenes trivia and uncover the fascinating elements that make each performance a mystery in itself.
International Productions
- In 2012, a West End revival of the musical played at the Arts Theatre for a limited season, featuring Wendi Peters and Natalie Day.
- The 1987 West End run of The Mystery of Edwin Drood took place at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Musical Composition
- In the 2012 Broadway revival of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', several musical numbers were rearranged and additional material was introduced, reflecting earlier adaptations.
- Princess Puffer's confession in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' is a reprise of the song "The Wages of Sin".
- The original song "No Good Can Come From Bad" was later changed to "A British Subject" in the Broadway production of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'.
- Durdles, thinking Drood was a ghost, accidentally kills him in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'. His confession is set to the tune of "Off to the Races".
- "Jasper's Confession" is sung by the character after he admits to the murder under the influence of laudanum, revealing his dark side.
- The song "Out On A Limerick" varies based on audience choice and reveals why each character could have dressed as Dick Datchery to uncover the murderer.
- The original Broadway production contained 32 original songs and had a running time of nearly three hours before it was edited for its Broadway debut.
- A new song titled "A Private Investigation" was introduced to replace "Settling Up the Score" in some versions of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'.
- Holmes extensively involved himself in the creation of the musical, writing the book, music, lyrics, and full orchestrations— a rarity in modern Broadway productions.
- Rupert Holmes, the creator of the musical, drew from his childhood experiences of British pantomime and music hall performances to formulate the show's unique style.
- Rupert Holmes won two Tony Awards for the musical: Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
- The 1985 original Broadway cast recording of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' included an instructional track titled "A Word From Your Chairman...", guiding listeners on how to solve the musical's mystery.
Notable Tours
- After closing on Broadway, a revised version of Drood toured North America starting in 1988 at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC.
- Following its initial run, the musical transferred to Broadway, where it performed until May 1987, and subsequently launched two national tours and a London West End production.
Production Facts
- Key cast members of the original Broadway production, including George Rose and Cleo Laine, were nominated for Tony Awards in 1986.
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on December 2, 1985, and had a total of 608 performances.
- A Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood was presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company at Studio 54 in November 2012, starring Chita Rivera and Stephanie J. Block.
- Rob Marshall, known for his later work as a theater and film director/choreographer, was the Dance Captain and assistant choreographer for the original Broadway run.
- Donna Murphy and Judy Kuhn were both part of the ensemble before taking on larger roles in other significant musical productions.
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on Charles Dickens' final, unfinished novel and was adapted into a musical by Rupert Holmes.
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood premiered in New York City's Central Park at the Delacorte Theatre on August 21, 1985, with only three weeks of rehearsals.
- Larry Shue originally played Crisparkle in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' readings and Delacorte production but was replaced due to his untimely death in a plane crash.
- Depending on who the audience selects as the murderer, the guilty party sings a reprise explaining their motive, which ties back to their relationship with Jasper.
- In a twist unique to the musical, the audience votes to decide the identity of the murderer and the investigator Dick Datchery, influencing the ending of the story.
- Act II of the musical reveals that the actor playing Drood also plays the private investigator Dick Datchery, adding a layer of intrigue.
- The musical incorporates elements of pantomime, such as the traditional 'Lead Boy' role typically played by a woman, and Victorian music hall influences, including a Master of Ceremonies character named 'The Chairman'.
- Charles Dickens started publishing The Mystery of Edwin Drood in episodic installments in 1870 but died the same year without completing it.
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood won a total of five Tony Awards from eleven nominations, including the prestigious Best Musical award.
- The musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood, sometimes simply titled Drood, originally debuted at the New York Shakespeare Festival in August 1985.
- The show was the first Broadway musical to have multiple endings, with the conclusion determined by audience vote each night.
