Democracy and mystery

The audience gets to decide who killed ‘Edwin Drood’ on the Warwick high school stage Warwick - Tickets went on sale this week for the Warwick Valley High School Drama Club’s presentation of the Tony Award-winning musical, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” on March 17 and 18. Based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, this audience participation musical played more than 600 performances on Broadway before transferring to London’s West End. Upon their arrival, the audience will be transported back to Victorian-era England and to London’s Music Hall Royale for an evening of colorful characters and music, including the rousing “There You Are” and melodious “Moonfall.” Throughout the evening, the Music Hall’s chairman, Mr. William Cartwright, will guide the audience through the clues found in the story of Edwin Drood. At its completion, the audience must be decided who killed Drood. Will it be the Princess Puffer or the Reverend Crisparkle? Perhaps it is one of the Landless twins, Rosa Bud or John Jasper? At each performance, the audience will choose the night’s detective and murderer, giving each performance a distinctly different ending. There are 35 different possible endings. “Drood” in Warwick will be performed on Friday, March 17, at 8 p.m., and on Saturday, March 18, at 1 and 8 p.m. Advance tickets may be ordered through the Drama Club’s box office by calling 987-3050, voice mail box #4100. Tickets are $8 general and $7 for children under ten and for senior citizens. Based on the turnout for the Drama Club’s previous productions, residents are urged to call the box office to order their tickets in advance.