Teen Musical: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Our next Teen Musical (performing in March 2025) is "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Rupert Holmes, based on the novel by Charles Dickens. This production is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
We start with Three FREE Musical Theatre Masterclasses to help prepare for auditions. The Workshops are held on Nov 1, 8 and 15, with auditions on November 22.
Auditions are open teens age 13-19.
Keep reading for all the details...
We start with Three FREE Musical Theatre Masterclasses to help prepare for auditions. The Workshops are held on Nov 1, 8 and 15, with auditions on November 22.
Auditions are open teens age 13-19.
Keep reading for all the details...
Free Teen Masterclass Series in November!
Three free masterclasses for teens will focus on performance skills, using material from "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." The classes take place on three consecutive Fridays in November, 4:30-7:30pm.
Participation in this series is not a requirement for auditioning for the production, but it will provide a rich foundation before production begins.
Participation in this series is not a requirement for auditioning for the production, but it will provide a rich foundation before production begins.
Conversely, kids are welcome to participate in the Masterclasses even if they do not plan to audition for the show. www.readplaylove.com/free-teen.html
To reserve your space in the Masterclasses, go here!
To reserve your space in the Masterclasses, go here!
Production Details:
About the Show"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is a lively, interactive musical comedy written by Rupert Holmes, based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name. Premiering on Broadway in 1985, it made history as the first Broadway musical to feature multiple endings, each decided by audience vote.
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The show was a hit, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, from a total of eleven nominations. A popular revival followed in 2012, with numerous productions and tours worldwide.
While Dickens' original novel is darker in tone, the musical adaptation brings a playful, whimsical twist, turning the unsolved mystery into a theatrical game. Since Dickens died before finishing the book, the plot’s resolution is unknown, leaving the outcome to be shaped by the audience. During the performance, the audience votes on several key elements: who killed Edwin Drood, the true identity of the mysterious Dick Datchery, and which two characters will find romance. With different audiences each night, the ending is never the same, making every performance fresh and unpredictable—even for the actors!
This unique voting element requires the cast to master numerous short endings, switching seamlessly based on the audience’s choices in the moment! The show’s vibrant characters and clever songs, set in the “Music Hall Royale” of Victorian London, create a "play within a play" atmosphere where improvisation and audience interaction are essential parts of the fun. The result is an energetic, laugh-out-loud experience for both performers and audiences alike, making "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" an unforgettable, high-spirited night of theatre.
While Dickens' original novel is darker in tone, the musical adaptation brings a playful, whimsical twist, turning the unsolved mystery into a theatrical game. Since Dickens died before finishing the book, the plot’s resolution is unknown, leaving the outcome to be shaped by the audience. During the performance, the audience votes on several key elements: who killed Edwin Drood, the true identity of the mysterious Dick Datchery, and which two characters will find romance. With different audiences each night, the ending is never the same, making every performance fresh and unpredictable—even for the actors!
This unique voting element requires the cast to master numerous short endings, switching seamlessly based on the audience’s choices in the moment! The show’s vibrant characters and clever songs, set in the “Music Hall Royale” of Victorian London, create a "play within a play" atmosphere where improvisation and audience interaction are essential parts of the fun. The result is an energetic, laugh-out-loud experience for both performers and audiences alike, making "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" an unforgettable, high-spirited night of theatre.
What Does It Cost?
* Non-Member Production Fees: $290/1 child
Family Friendly Pricing: $100 per additional child
* Discounted RPL Member Fees: The RPL Membership program allows families who are invested in our mission to receive ongoing member benefits and discounts. RPL Members in active standing save 2/3 off the regular production fees. For "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" the rates are: $120/1 child, $160/2 children, $200 for 3+ children.
Note that in order to receive the reduced fees, Membership must be within an active 6-month cycle, or at the initiation of a new six-month commitment. Click here for info about RPL Membership.
* Sibling Pre-Teen Junior Cast/Crew: Siblings age 11-12 are invited to join cast as ensemble or backstage crew, for a Juniors Fee of $50/child (or $25/child for Members)
* Costume costs are the responsibility of parents, but parents work together to decide and make everything as easy and most importantly, cost-effective as possible, often using shared, donated, or secondhand materials to keep costs minimum and much less expensive than other theatre production opportunities.
* A Concessions/Supplies Donation of $10 per production is requested of all families to help with paper/cleaning products and concessions needs.
* Fundraisers, such as t-shirts, photobooks, and production videos, are optional and up to the discretion of each family.
* Parent Crew - Parents are expected to volunteer and will be given sign-up forms with the different options, which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. An investment of time is crucial for an all-volunteer production, and we work with each family to find the best fit of contribution of your time and talent.
Family Friendly Pricing: $100 per additional child
* Discounted RPL Member Fees: The RPL Membership program allows families who are invested in our mission to receive ongoing member benefits and discounts. RPL Members in active standing save 2/3 off the regular production fees. For "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" the rates are: $120/1 child, $160/2 children, $200 for 3+ children.
Note that in order to receive the reduced fees, Membership must be within an active 6-month cycle, or at the initiation of a new six-month commitment. Click here for info about RPL Membership.
* Sibling Pre-Teen Junior Cast/Crew: Siblings age 11-12 are invited to join cast as ensemble or backstage crew, for a Juniors Fee of $50/child (or $25/child for Members)
* Costume costs are the responsibility of parents, but parents work together to decide and make everything as easy and most importantly, cost-effective as possible, often using shared, donated, or secondhand materials to keep costs minimum and much less expensive than other theatre production opportunities.
* A Concessions/Supplies Donation of $10 per production is requested of all families to help with paper/cleaning products and concessions needs.
* Fundraisers, such as t-shirts, photobooks, and production videos, are optional and up to the discretion of each family.
* Parent Crew - Parents are expected to volunteer and will be given sign-up forms with the different options, which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. An investment of time is crucial for an all-volunteer production, and we work with each family to find the best fit of contribution of your time and talent.
About Read Play Love Theatre
What makes Read Play Love different is.... the Love!
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is different from most RPL musicals, because we are licensing a classic show, rather than writing the production ourselves. Though we won't be customizing roles for our actors, our focus remains the same as it is for all RPL shows: to nurture the creative self-discovery of each one of our kids.
* Theatre is an extension of RPL's mission: to empower children through the arts and create an inclusive culture of love. We believe all youth can thrive on stage, regardless of experience, skills, background or ability. We mentor kids where they are and help them feel great, stretching them a bit further than they expect...all while being part of an artistic experience.
* Because of its encouraging atmosphere, RPL is the ideal place to try theatre for the first time, while also is a supportive and safe environment for more experienced performers who are ready to stretch their wings and push themselves to grow further through developing characters and up-leveling performance skills.
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is different from most RPL musicals, because we are licensing a classic show, rather than writing the production ourselves. Though we won't be customizing roles for our actors, our focus remains the same as it is for all RPL shows: to nurture the creative self-discovery of each one of our kids.
* Theatre is an extension of RPL's mission: to empower children through the arts and create an inclusive culture of love. We believe all youth can thrive on stage, regardless of experience, skills, background or ability. We mentor kids where they are and help them feel great, stretching them a bit further than they expect...all while being part of an artistic experience.
* Because of its encouraging atmosphere, RPL is the ideal place to try theatre for the first time, while also is a supportive and safe environment for more experienced performers who are ready to stretch their wings and push themselves to grow further through developing characters and up-leveling performance skills.
Register for "Drood" Production Fee
Click the "Sign Up" Button below to pay your Production Fee!