Charles Dickens died before he could finish his extraordinary murder novel, and that is only the beginning of the mystery. Both sinister and hilarious, this play picks up where Dickens left off.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” is a comical play-within-a-play, featuring actors at London’s Music Hall Royale in the late 1800s. Each character is an actor who plays a particular role in a show at the music hall.

Throughout the production, the Chairman, a master of ceremonies of sorts, speaks to the audience and explains their responsibility in determining the end of the show. In the second act, Edwin Drood has disappeared, and there are eight suspects who may have contributed to his assumed demise. Along with the murder mystery, there are several intertwined love stories, and the audience also must vote to decide which characters will end up together.

“The possibilities are almost endless when you consider the different pairings of romantic interests, along with the selection of the murderer,” said Wil Kilroy, director of the production and USM professor of theatre.

“Another aspect that will change for each performance is the title role, which is double-cast,” Kilroy said. Eileen Hanley and Emily Davis, each USM senior musical theatre majors, will alternate playing Edwin Drood for each performance.

Along with a distinctive ending for each show, there also will be a unique beginning — and it starts as soon as audiences enter Russell Hall. The Chairman and Victorian-era costumed characters will be roaming through the crowd and greeting guests as they arrive. The audience interaction doesn’t stop there.

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“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” was inspired by British pantomime and music hall traditions, in which actors continually interact with the audience and welcome participation, such as hissing at the villain.

“Audience interaction is rampant throughout the show,” said Edward Reichert, the show’s musical director and USM lecturer. “There is one number in particular that really heats things up. Princess Puffer’s rendition of ‘The Wages of Sin’ is not for the faint of heart. Married couples sitting down front: beware!”

Other well known songs include “Moonfall” and “The Writing on the Wall.” Rupert Holmes wrote the book, music and lyrics for “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” which debuted on Broadway in 1985 and won five Tony Awards including best musical, best book of a musical and best original score.

Reichert noted that the show’s music “perfectly exemplifies the show’s sassy and saucy flavor.” There will be a five-piece band comprised of USM students majoring in music, and Kellie Moody, USM senior piano performance major, will provide accompaniment and is the associate musical director.

Vanessa Beyland, choreographer for the production, worked with Kilroy, Reichert and the cast to extend the British music hall tradition into song and dance numbers, including “There You Are,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead,” “Off to the Races” and “Both Sides of the Coin.”

“Because the show is a musical within a musical, the dances help bring the audience into the world of the performer and the story being presented,” Beyland said. “There is a lot of playing to the audience, gimmicks and larger-than-life moves and gestures.

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“Rehearsals have been a blast,” the choreographer added. “Everyone comes with such energy and enthusiasm, it has inspired me to create very fun and entertaining choreography.”

While characters continually interact with the audience during the show, there may be a few lucky audience members who will actually be seated within the Music Hall Royale.

“We are not only creating scenic elements that are specific to the play, but we are also creating the fictitious 19th-century Music Hall Royale, where our production is being performed,” said Charles Kading, set designer for the production and USM professor of theatre. “We hope to seat a pair of audience members each night in the Music Hall Royale box seats onstage, flanking the performance area.”

Joan Mather, USM assistant professor of theatre, is managing costume design, and JP Gagnon is creating lighting design.

Show Times (including the actress who will play Edwin Drood)

7:30 p.m., Friday, March 14 (Davis)

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7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 15 (Hanley)

5 p.m., Sunday, March 16 (Davis)

10 a.m., Tuesday, March 18; high school matinee (Davis)

5 p.m., Wednesday, March 19; all seats $10 (Hanley)

7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20 (Davis)

7:30 p.m., Friday, March 21 (Hanley)

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7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 22 (Davis)

5 p.m., Sunday, March 23 (Hanley)

Tickets are $21, general public; $15, seniors, USM employees and alumni; $11 students. A special reduced-price matinee at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 19 offers all tickets at just $10. For more information, call 207-780-5151 or go to www.usm.maine.edu/theatre.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” includes some adult subject matter.

The cast includes (by name, role, year, major, hometown):

Caleb Lacy (Chairman): senior theatre major; Durham

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Emily Davis (Edwin Drood): senior musical theatre major; Windham

Eileen Hanley (Edwin Drood): senior musical theatre major; Peaks Island

Carolyn Glaude (Rosa Budd): senior musical theatre major: Topsham

Matthew West (John Jasper): junior musical theatre major; Farmington

Danielle Lane (Princess Puffer): senior musical theatre major; Caribou

Eric Berry-Sandelin (Reverend Mr. Crisparkle): sophomore musical

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theatre major; South Portland

Cameron Wright (Neville Landless): sophomore musical theatre major;

Ellsworth

Liz Kershenbaum (Helena Landless): junior musical theatre major; North

Andover, Mass.

JP Furey (Bazzard): sophomore musical theatre major; South Portland

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Matthew LeBerge (Durdles): sophomore music major; South Portland

Taylor Gervais (Deputy): freshman musical theatre major; Harmon

Meghan O’Brian (The Stage Manager): continuing education theatre major;

Gray

Rachel Grindle (Ensemble): freshman musical theatre major; Portland

Jonathan Gudroe (Ensemble): sophomore theatre major; Dexter

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Jordan Holt (Ensemble): junior musical theatre major; Plymouth, Mass.

Brianna Housman (Ensemble): freshman musical theatre major; Searsport

Gregory Judd (Ensemble): senior music education major; Auburn

Alyssa Rojecki (Ensemble): senior theatre major; Gorham

Ali Sarnacchiaro (Ensemble): freshman musical theatre major; Saugus,

Mass.

Caleb Streadwick (Ensemble): freshman theatre major; Whitehall, Mont.


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