‘The Mystery Of Edwin Drood’ now playing at CMU

'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' started its run at Colorado Mesa University’s Robinson Theatre.  The musical, based on a story Charles Dickens worked on prior to his death, is full of laughs.  The surprise treat is the audience gets to decide how the show ends every night since Dickens was unable to complete his work.

The show within a show, set in London’s Music Hall Royale, was enjoyed by the opening night crowd.  The cast roamed the auditorium, introducing themselves, showing audience members to their seats and explained the base of the play.

The audience watches as members of the Music Hall Royale act out the Dickens play; as it was done in days of old, where the characters are introduced as they appear.  Laughs and clues abound during the first act as the revelation of suspects takes place.

During the second act the audience makes decisions for the ending of the musical.  The cast also makes a key decision regarding a new character who appears in the second half.  Every night can have a different ending based on what choices the audience and cast makes.  For opening night, the audience voted the killer as the Reverend Chrisparkle.  Princess Puffer and Durdles were elected to find true love by the theatre goers.  The stand out performance of the night went to Bazzard; played inspiringly by Sophomore Joey DeMers.

The performance is about three hours with one fifteen minute intermission.  Tickets range from $6.00 to $20.00 and can be purchased online or at the Moss Box Office one hour before the show.  The show runs through March 5, and the curtain goes up at 7:30pm, with a 2pm matinee this Sunday, February 28.

The opening night crowd was also treated to an announcement of the shows the theatre will perform during the 2016-17 season.  They include 'James and the Giant Peach', another Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol', and 'My Fair Lady', based on George Bernard Shaw’s "Pygmalion". 

Do not miss this fantastic musical performance by the stellar cast at CMU.  It is an entertaining experience for everyone!