By Ben Watson
October is a perfect time for a good whodunnit mystery, and Sandy Arts Guild’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood at The Theater at Mount Jordan in Sandy, UT fills the bill. Combining melodrama, considerable humor, and a touch of dark mystery, the metatheatrical musical by Rupert Holmes follows the famously unfinished last novel of Charles Dickens and allows considerable audience interaction. The friendly and accessible Theater at Mount Jordan becomes the Music Hall Royale as the cast spends a few moments mingling with guests before the show-within-a-show begins. Quickly, the players set tongues firmly in cheeks, stomp their feet, and we are off to the races!
Mystery is fun. Getting to choose the ending of a mystery even more so, and Drood delivers fun in full measure. As a less frequently done musical, the songs are unfamiliar, but catchy and support nicely the lush costuming and pitch-perfect set. We are encouraged to sing, react, support, and ultimately vote for who we think the “killer” might be. Through multiple interactions, the audience becomes a vital part of the show. And if you think you have the ending figured out, you might be pleasantly surprised.
The show opens with exposition and acknowledgments from The Chairman, played brilliantly by Zackery Western, and continues into introductions of the key players. The overt villain, Jasper, is played by Ben Heder, with equal measures of Snidely Whiplash and Phantom of the Opera, while the title role of Edwin Drood falls to a delightful and appropriately smug turn by local favorite Jamie Haderlie. The object of Jasper’s obsession is Rosa Bud, brought to life by the ingenue-like wide eyes and angelic voice of Allison Klippel. Of special note is Amanda Rogers as Princess Puffer. Rogers’ Puffer is bawdy, smart, mysterious, and deliciously honey-voiced.
Supporting characters flesh out the fog-shrouded scenes of Victorian London and include solid performances from Colin Baker and Briana Chipman as siblings Neville and Helena Landless, and comic relief from Marc Reading as Durdles, Nathan Leituala as Deputy, Nathan Holcomb as Bazzard, and Drew Thompson as Reverend Crisparkle. Miss Sandy 1st Attendant McKenzie Maag, a fixture in the Sandy arts community, in the role of Joyce Throttle, leads a strong ensemble cast which includes Cristina Bean, Paul Murphy, Abbie Webb, Madelyn Breeze, and Cody Harmon.
Director/Choreographer Lisa Noyes demonstrates her love for the arts in her crisp blocking and sharp, efficient dance numbers. Indeed, the entire production, including Set Design by Spencer Brown, and Lighting by Rick Marston, is without excess. Holcomb does double duty as Music Director, and the lush vocals he coaxes from the cast are unified and balanced. A nod goes to Dialect Coach Mindy Curtis and the consistent and reasonable accents she mentors.
You’ll want to arrive early for nearby parking, but seating is ample and comfortable. Themes in this show are likely best suited for adolescents and older, however there’s nothing overly objectionable.
Come solve the mystery with the cast of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The production runs until mid-October, but don’t delay. Hurry and help provide an ending to the mystery in Sandy.
Sandy Arts Guild presents The Mystery of Edwin Drood – A Musical by Rupert Holmes
The Theater at Mount Jordan, 9351 S. Mountaineer Ln., Sandy, Utah 84070
Contact Info: 801-568-2787
October 4-5, 7, 11-12, 14, 18-19, 2019 7:30 PM
Tickets: $13.00 per person
Sandy Arts Guild Facebook Page
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Facebook Event
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