"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" - by Rupert Holmes - StageWorks (Fitchburg, MA.) - PREVIEW
(Cover Photo: Kathryn Lazar sings as “Rosa Bud” as "Stage Manager Jane Throttle" Sophie Strano looks on, in a moment from the Rupert Holmes' musical, "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD," now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
StageWorks
Presents Rupert Holmes' Musical
"THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD"
Book, Music and Lyrics by Rupert Holmes
Based on an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by Paul Conway
Music Director Emily Stratton
Pianist and Conductor Michael Hoffmann
Choreographer Emily Baldwin
Cast Includes: Kate Olson as “Chairwoman Briar Cartwright,” IIana Whittaker as “Miss Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood,” Vajra Spring as “Mr. Clive Paget/John Jasper,” Terrie Lootens Hyde as “Miss Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer,” Kathryn Lazar as “Miss Deidre Peregrine/Rosa Bud,” Brandon Snyder as “Mr. Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless,” Katrina Hebert as “Miss Janet Conover/Helena Landless,” Jon Paul Gualdarrama as “Mr. Cedric Moncrieffe/Rev. Crisparkle,” John Williams as “Mr. Phillip Bax/Bazzard/Waiter,” John Hanlon as “Mr. Nick Cricker/Durdles,” Sophie Strano as “Stage Manager Jane Throttle/Barkeep,” Natalie DeMar as “Miss Nikki Cricker/Deputy,” James Hitchens as “Mayor Sapsea,” Michelle Sparrow as “Miss Alanna Eliot/Flo Gill/Wendy,” Steph Nogueira as “Miss Gwendlyn Pynn/Beatrice,” Loren Bennington as “Mr. Nicholas Michael/Horace,” Michelle Fisher as “Miss Marigold Moss/Maid/Citizen,” Kayla Gualdarrama as “Miss Meredith Moss/Maid/Citizen,” Yaitza Rodriguez as “Miss Sarah Cook/Citizen,” Grace Willett as “Miss Nicola Michael/Citizen/Dance Captain,” Nicole Gentilella as “Miss Violet Balfour/Maid/Citizen,” Katlyn Thibault as “Miss Christina Lyon/Maid/Citizen,” Tony Dean as “Citizen,” Michael Hoffmann as "Mr. Thomas Purcell, Pianist and Conductor."
Additional Creative Team:
Lighting Design and Operation - Ted Sparrow; Sound Design and Operation – Sean Kyle; Stage Crew Manager – Gavin Grey; Stage Crew – Megan Gentilella, Lily Zichelle; Costume Design – Paul Conway; Costume Assistant – Megan McGuire; Dressers – Megan McGuire, Kristen Licht, Rachel Twiss; Colleen DeMar Costume Changes - Colleen DeMar, Props – Greg Baker; Set Design – Paul Conway, Sean Kyle; Set Construction & Painting - Paul Conway, Sean Kyle, Ted Sparrow, John Williams, Alan Bell, Nicole Isabelle, Gavin Grey, Forrest Hyde, Meg Fisher, Nicole Gentilella, Caiti Joly, Tara Pelletier, Katrina Hebert; Front of House Manager – Mary Dean; Production Manager – Sean Kyle.
The Theatre at St. Bernard's High School, 45 Harvard Street, Fitchburg, MA. 01420
Performances:
January 24, 2025 through January 26, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
TICKETS:
Contact StageWorks via email at info@stageworksarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg presents a witty, multi-layered musical "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" by Rupert Holmes, a highly engaging, interactive audience experience loaded with commendable performances.
Before we begin, here’s a fun trivia question:
Rupert Holmes is known for the 1970s’ mammoth ‘earworm’ tune "Escape (aka “The Piña Colada Song") but, before venturing into the world of Broadway, he also had a SECOND hit. Without using the internet to find out – what was the name of this second hit? The answer will be at the end of this special METRMag Preview.
Set in a fictitious musical hall with an amateur troupe putting on the musical "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD," the show is based on the Charles Dickens novel unfinished at the time of his death in 1870.
The story follows young EDWIN DROOD (played by Ilana Whittaker, in a dual role as an egocentric troupe actress portraying DROOD) and his relationship with his fiancé, Rosa Bud (Kathryn Lazar, also in a dual role as actress Miss Diedre Peregrine) who is also the object of obsession for DROOD's uncle, John Jasper (Vajra Spring, who also plays actor Mr. Clive Paget).
Jasper is morally bankrupt…an affluent fop, an opium addict, and a choirmaster who frequents houses of ill repute.
Jasper’s voice student, Rosa, is also approached by Neville Landless (Brandon Snyder, also playing actor Mr. Victor Grinstead) who is in town with his twin sister Helena (Katrina Hebert, also playing actress Miss Janet Conover) as Neville studies with the Rev. Crisparkle (Jon Paul Gualdarrama).
(Photo: Kathryn Lazar sings as “Rosa Bud” as "Stage Manager Jane Throttle" Sophie Strano looks on, in a moment from the Rupert Holmes' musical, "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD," now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
Neville and Helena, along with the ensemble, perform “Ceylon/A British Subject” featuring some fine choreography by Emily Baldwin.
Neville and Edwin fight, then Edwin later disappears under mysterious circumstances leaving Neville as the prime suspect.
Or is he?
This is approximately where the story by Dickens was interrupted…by his death…and where the acting troupe has taken on the task of completing the story – with the audience’s help, of course (that’s where the “interactive” part comes in) - for the fans of the prolific novelist.
(Photo: IIana Whittaker as “EDWIN DROOD” and Brandon Snyder as “Neville Landless” cross swords in a scene from "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" by Rupert Holmes, now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
Winning five Tony Awards in 1986 (including “Best Musical”), Holmes’ "MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" is credited as being the first Broadway musical with multiple endings as determined by audience vote.
This truly is a "Rupert Holmes musical" as Holmes not only composed the score, he is also responsible for the book for which he received Tony Awards for “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original Score.”
Under the inspired direction of Paul Conway, the show as staged by STAGEWORKS pays homage to the early days of British pantomime and music hall genres popular around the time of Dickens' passing.
Beginning in 1870, Dickens wrote "DROOD" in episodic installments.
When Dickens died suddenly that year from a stroke, he left no notes about how he intended to finish the story, leading to many theories and attempts at concluding the "DROOD" saga.
(Photo: Steph Nogueira stands over Vajra Spring as “Mr. Clive Paget/John Jasper” in a moment from the Rupert Holmes musical, "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD," now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
As mentioned, Holmes is known for the mammoth earworm tune "Escape (aka “The Piña Colada Song") but has since found acclaim for his work on Broadway, not only for "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" but also contributing to the book for the hit musical, “CURTAINS.”
In "DROOD" the only thing Holmes didn’t throw into the musical was the kitchen sink.
It is an interactive murder mystery, a show-within-a-show, part Dickensian, part Vaudevillian, part operetta, part ballet, with a blend of both comedy and melodrama.
It is an arduous, difficult show to stage, requiring strict adherence to many details – details which include the multitude of costumes and props involved in the production.
Fortunately, the STAGEWORKS cast and creative team all bring to the stage a strong level of conviction and enthusiasm, making "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" fun to watch as the story unfolds.
Ensemble musical numbers include the show's opener “There You Are” as adroitly led by our amiable host for the evening, the Chairwoman Briar Cartwright, played by Kate Olson.
(Photo: Kate Olson as “Chairwoman Briar Cartwright” looks on as IIana Whittaker as “EDWIN DROOD” and Vajra Spring as “John Jasper” share in an exchange in a scene from "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" by Rupert Holmes, now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
Other notable musical numbers include the first act’s “Off to the Races” and the show’s second act’s “Don't Quit While You're Ahead.”
Among the numerous featured STAGEWORKS performances:
John Williams who, as actor (and aspiring playwright) “Mr. Phillip Bax” takes on multiple roles including “Bazzard” and a “Waiter;” Terrie Lootens Hyde as “Miss Angela Prysock” who portrays the plucky “Princess Puffer;” Sophie Starno playing the show-within-a-show’s Stage Manager “Jane Throttle;” John Hanlon as actor “Mr. Nick Cricker” who, in many scenes, plays drunkard “Durdles” opposite Natalie DeMar as actress “Miss Nikki Cricker” who plays the show’s amusing “Deputy.”
The show is under the musical direction of Emily Stratton, with the marvelous STAGEWORKS orchestra led by pianist and conductor Michael Hoffmann.
The costumes for the show impress and are completely in keeping with the time period with a slight touch of “steampunk” thrown in for some of the show’s more risqué scenes.
(Photo: The CAST of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" by Rupert Holmes, now playing at STAGEWORKS in Fitchburg until January 26, 2025. Photo Credit: Steph Nogueira)
A reminder that this is a show that could change each time it is performed as each outcome, determined by audience voting, could be different, which is a unique premise.
The most pleasing part of the "DROOD" experience is the fun repartee and interaction the dynamic STAGEWORKS ensemble has with the audience, which helps determine the outcome of the show.
Even before the show begins, cast members interact in character with the audience, inviting them to be an integral part of the experience, which makes STAGEWORKS' "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" a show well worth seeing.
"THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" plays for three performances only at The Theatre at St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg.
For tickets, click the link below or contact StageWorks via email at info@stageworksarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Okay, now for the answer to the trivia question (for those who didn’t cheat by looking it up).
Rupert Holmes had a follow-up hit to "Escape (aka 'The Piña Colada Song')” with the 1980 song “Him” which reached the Billboard Top 10.
Don’t remember it? No worries. Here it is.
Approximately two hours, 45 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
"THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" is a hilarious, interactive whodunit mystery musical that allows the audience to enter the action and become the ultimate detectives.
The show is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name.
In small town of Chesterham, England, the young and charming EDWIN DROOD has been mysteriously murdered.
But by whom?
His leering romantic rival, John Jasper?
The infamous purveyor of opium and vice, Princess Puffer?
The mysterious Landless twins, newly arrived from Ceylon?
Or someone else even more dastardly and villainous?
Dickens passed away before he was able to reveal the culprit.
Rupert Holmes’ award-winning musical solves this predicament by asking the audience to choose which character is the killer by putting it to a vote.
Staged in metatheatrical manner by the "Music Hall Royale," a traveling Victorian theatre troupe full of just as many colorful characters as the roles they play, this charming and inventive musical is sure to intrigue and entertain any musical or mystery lover.
All actors play two parts.
Each plays an actor of the "Music Hall Royale" company and also the character he or she plays in Music Hall’s production of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD." (STAGEAGENT)
ABOUT STAGEWORKS
STAGEWORKS is incorporated under under 503(c) not for profit status with the mission of delivering performance arts to the public and forwarding cultural enrichment. STAGEWORKS is supported in part by a grants from local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
info@stageworksarts.org
