The Mystery of Edwin Drood
book, music, and lyrics by Rupert Holmes
October/November 2003
The Gallery Players, Brooklyn, NY
Winner, Off-Off Broadway Review Award for Best Musical 2003
Producer: Matt Schicker
Director/Choreographer: Steven Smeltzer
Musical Director: Ken Legum
Set Design: Michael Kramer
Lighting Design: William Cusick
Costume Design: Jenna Rossi-Camus
Production Stage Manager: Jessie Jarosz
Cast: Rocco L. Arrigo, David Bishop, Keith Broughton, Vibecke Dahle, Kate Danielowski, Danielle Elefante, Frederick Hamilton*, Greg Horton*, Linnea Huston, Chris Janssen, Crista Johnson, Vinnie Kay, John Edward Kelly*, Andrew Krawetz*, Alison Mahoney, Peter Mensky*, Mary Mossberg*, Theresa Oldmixon, Allison Regnault, Rikard Skogsberg, Dax Valdes, and Michael Walker
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
What I’m Most Proud Of: Drood was my first big production, and I have to say that it’s the one that “hooked” me. I had played the Chairman in a college production at University of Michigan, and I really loved the show. So when Heather Curran asked if I would produce it, I jumped at the chance, especially since I felt I already knew the pitfalls and could guide the ship through rough waters. It was a huge challenge to rehearse the multiple endings to the show within the restrictions of the Showcase Code, but Equity granted us an extra week of rehearsal.
It’s also the first show I collaborated on with director/choreographer Steven Smeltzer. His vision for the show was unique and effective, and caught the attention of author Rupert Holmes when he attended the show (see quote below).
Reviews and Quotes:Drood in over a decade…and one of the top 3 productions ever! I went to see The Gallery Players’ production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood blithely unaware that I would soon be witnessing…a production that — in wit, color, vitality, musicality, inventiveness and passion — was as endearing as Drood on Broadway, in London, or anywhere around the world.”
Rupert Holmes, author and composer of The Mystery of Edwin Drood
“The already cleverly crafted show received impeccable treatment.…A thoroughly exhilarating experience—even those who have seen the show before would find new things in this brilliant production. The show is both fun and funny. The production of the show was absolutely flawless. This is a great production of a great musical….There could not have been a better Drood.”
Off-Off Broadway Review
“I saw Drood when it premiered on Broadway almost twenty years ago…I had a much better time this past weekend at The Gallery Players’ revival.”
Martin Denton, nytheatre.com
“Author and composer Rupert Holmes was delighted with the end result….According to this reviewer, audiences will certainly be delighted… Drood is a show that definitely should be seen once, and hopefully more than once to get the full flavor of the different endings….It’s a hit! Don’t miss it! Sensational! One of The Gallery Players’ best!“
The Brooklyn Papers
More Photos:
We only saw one actor for the role of Chairman in Drood, a role I was very concerned about because of the huge memorization job and the responsibility of completely charming the audience. That actor was Greg Horton (center), and he couldn’t have been better. We are so lucky!
Mary Mossberg as Drood and Frederick Hamilton as Jasper.
Drood was the last production of the late Andy Krawetz, a great, accomplished character actor (sleeping left). He was a wonderful actor and wonderful in the show.
Among the many individual touches in our Drood was that our Princess Puffer was played as a “Dame” role; in other words, played by a man. Michael Walker (left) did a terrific job and won them over every night.
Mary Mossberg was a fantastic Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting/Dick Datchery!
Frederick Hamilton (center) stopped the show every night with his powerful rendition of “Jasper’s Confession”.
Boy, the competition was heated when it came to the voting section of the show!
Voting
The cast really raised the roof every night with the finale number “Writing on the Wall”.
The cast of The Gallery Players’ production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Author Rupert Holmes with the cast of The Gallery Players’ production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Rupert Holmes with director/choreographer Steven Smeltzer.
I had the honor of accepting the Off-Off Broadway Review Award for Best Musical Production 2003 for Drood, and I was joined on stage with most of the cast at the awards ceremony, which was 7 months after the show closed. I was particularly pleased to receive an award for my very first musical production!
The cast of The Gallery Players’ production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Off-Off Broadway Review Awards ceremony.
