THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD 

                             VINTAGE THEATRE : DEC. 5 TO JAN 11 

            The cast of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

DROOD is the HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN FOR THE  HOLIDAY SEASON!RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

When was the last time you woke up humming the tunes you heard at theatre the night before? There are so many Glorious ear-worms in this score, you will be humming and singing these tunes for days! With book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, Vintage Theatre’s production of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is not to be missed! In1985 “Drood” received Tony Awards for Best Musical, Book and Score. 

         On opening night a rousing, rollicking good time was had by all! Rowdy, and sometimes a bit on the bawdy side, the broad strokes of humor on display describing London’s Music Hall tradition may put you in mind of the American Vaudeville theatre.     The show is directed by the esteemed Bernie Cardell, who makes sure that we are entertained to the max!  For this reason alone, it is advised that any theatre lover get tickets as far in advance as possible.

The title role is played by Michelle Merz-Hutchinson. It is wonderful to see this actor’s superb acting and hear her outstanding vocals! Her singing of “Two Kinsmen” and “Perfect Strangers” is an utter delight.

Brian Trampler’s chairman, the show’s emcee, introduces the play by welcoming us  to the music hall with his singing of “There You Are,” lifting our spirits and making us hungry for the unfolding mystery to come. The chairman is also a sort of narrator who introduces characters and ties together the clues and events which follow. Trampler’s performance stuns!

Rosa Bud, Drood’s fiancee and the student of choirmaster John Jasper, is played by Makenzie Couch, who sings “Moonfall” with a soprano that is a breathtaking ribbon of silk. William B. Kahn’s acting and singing of Jasper, who secretly lusts after his student, has a baritone to die for. His singing of “A Man Could Go Quite Mad” is indelible.

Adam Johnson’s acting in the comic role of Bazzard made him an audience favorite. His singing of “Never the Luck” is hysterical.

Deborah Persoff’s performance in the role of Princess Puffer, the proprietor of a London opium den, is one for the books! This meticulously crafted and nuanced portrayal is so richly imagined that Dickens himself would applaud this actor’s masterful singing and acting of : “The Wages of Sin,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead” and “The Garden Path to Hell."

It’s wonderful to see Daniel Traylor treading the boards once again as Mr. James Throttle. 

Musical director Jeremiah Otto did splendid work accompanying the actors on the keys as well as evoking stunning choral work from the cast in such numbers as, “Off To the Races,” and “An English Music Hall.” 

Charles Dickens’ vital, vibrant characters are all dressed in Cole Emarine’s extravagant eye-popping Victorian costumes!

Don Fuller’s set design and Emily Maddox’s lighting were both well executed. There were a couple of glitches in Russ Kirby’s sound design on the night this reviewer was in attendance, but they were quickly addressed and rectified.

Charles Dickens died before his novel was finished. As a result we as audience get to decide who the murderer was.

 This is just the ticket for the Holidays! Not to be missed!!!

For tickets go online at Vintagetheatre.org  or call the box office at 303-856-7830