On the evening of Thursday April 24th, the Broad Run auditorium transformed from a plain old auditorium into the Victorian world of the Music Hall Royal showcasing the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, Broad Run theater students brought the musical to life.
From the moment the first actor came on stage, the audience was quickly engrossed in the world of the Musical Hall Royal. What made this musical different from others was that this was actually a play within a play, with the Broad Run students playing two characters. The show combined music, mystery, and comedy to bring an unforgettable performance, all narrated by the witty Chairman. While acting is part of what makes a musical amazing, every song performed by a Broad Run cast member kept the audience entertained – and laughing.
What truly set this musical apart from others was its interactive nature. Different from past productions the audience was able to choose what happened in the ending. This made each show feel much more personalized and put us on the edge of our seats. Behind the scenes the crew played a very crucial part in bringing the show to life. As a costume crew member Senior Tanishka Raja explained, “I think costume crew is an important part because it really helps bring the show together. Without costumes, the show wouldn’t make as much sense—costumes help the audience understand things like the time period or the setting. It adds meaning and depth to the performance.”
The cast’s talent excelled not only through their acting but also through their music. Hannah Visser, who played Rosa, Edwin Drood’s fiancée, dazzled the stage with her performance of the song Moonfall. Another cast member, Hailey Smith, played Princess Puffer. She delivered a stunning performance of the song The Wages of Sin and captivated the audience with her portrayal of the character. The entire cast, along with the ensemble, never disappointed, bringing moments of both laughter and mystery to the stage. Cast member and junior Bren Rossi reflected, “Honestly, my favorite part was just hanging out and laughing with my friends every day after school.” Additionally, head seamstress and junior Kate Marshalonis shared, “The technical aspects are what bring the world of the show to life. You obviously can’t have a show without actors, but you also can’t have one without theater tech—otherwise, it’s just people talking on a stage. The technical crews create the world the actors exist in and help the audience fully understand the vision of the show.”
Before the second part of Act 2, the show introduced us to an interactive segment where the audience helped to determine important roles. First, the cast decided where a certain character would be the detective. In this viewing of the show, they choose to not assign her role and she exited in a dramatic fashion. Next they let us choose who would be the Murder, Detective, and the Lovers. The Detective was Rosa Bud (Visser). The Murderer was Reverend Crisparkle (Jack Wright). The Lovers were Bazzard (Ryan Fila) and Princess Puffer (Smith).
The Mystery of Edwin Drood stood out for the audience interaction. The crew’s immersive, detailed work combined with the energy of the cast, created an experience unlike previous musicals. It was very apparent that the audience loved having a say in the show, which made it feel special. This production ultimately set the bar high for future theatre performances.
