Fall 2012: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Rupert Holmes
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a jaunty musical comedy mystery like no other. Performed by the hilarious cast of the Victorian Music Hall Royale, this show is based on Charles Dickens’s final tale - the novel he died before he could finish. In order to finish the plot and solve the mystery, this quirky cast of characters lets the audience decide how the story will end. Unlike most Dickens stories, this show is lighthearted and fun, with rip-roaring dance numbers, beautiful ballads, and a variety of intriguing suspects. There is a different detective, murderer, and pair of lovers each time, so every performance is a one-of-a-kind experience for all involved!
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PIT
Violin
Flute & Piccolo
Clarinet
Horn
Trombone
Bass Clarinet
Piano
Percussion
Andrew Vutsinas
Chi Chi Li
Meigan McManus
Jeff Hong
Brigid McDonald
Emily Cubbage
Maria Michael
Madeline Guthrie
Nadine Skaff
Amanda Ryan
Samantha Johnson
Milan Dhar
John MacLaughlin
Oscar Chow
Lawrence Dulay
Niki Hua
Caroline Burr
Steven Moore
CAST
Chairman/Mayor Thomas Sapsea
John Jasper
Edwin Drood
Rosa Bud
The Princess Puffer
Neville Landless
Helena Landless
The Reverend Mr. Crisparkle
Durdles
Deputy
Bazzard , Featured Dancer
Wendy
Beatrice, Murder Shade
Stage Manager
Flo, Maid
Shade of Drood, Featured Dancer
Shade of Jasper, Featured Dancer
Featured Dancers
Horace, Featured Dancer, Murder Shade
Waiter
Maid, Murder Shade
Citizen of Cloisterham
Mitchell Minahan
Zach Showalter
Rachel Mink
Willa Sweeney
Emily Yates
Rishi Malhotra
Jacqueline Ford
Tim Lewis
Dan Barr
Rob Edwards
Brandon Norris
Kelsie Zipprich
Melina Rapazzini
Vondrae McCoy
Elsa Schieffelin
Natalie May
Nick Mattia
Ana Mendelson
Amanda Diamond
Sarah Russomanno
Sean Donnelly
Andrew Barat
Brian Ammer
Nina Lukow
Lou Garcia
PRODUCTION STAFF
Producer
Asst. Producer
Business Manager
Asst. Business Manager
Technical Director
Alumni Chair
Fundraising Chair
Publicity Chair
Social Chairs
Historians
Nick Everington
Daniel Owen
Luke Brennan
MaryClaire Martin
Alex Cooper
Ryan Richardson
Emma Volpe
Anna McGrady
Kaitlyn Richardson
Samantha Hudgins
Peter Conklin
Alexandria Wishy
Daria Mosman
TECH STAFF
Asst. Technical Directors
Stage Managers
Set Designer
Asst. Set Designer
Master Carpenter
Asst. Carpenters
Lighting Designer
Asst. Lighting Designer
Master Electrician
Asst. Electricians
Co-Head Painters
Asst. Painter
Sound Designer
Asst. Sound Designer
Sound Advisor
Sound Managers
Co-Prop Mistresses
Head Costumers
Asst. Costumers
Head Hair/Make Up
Asst. Hair/Make Up
Run Crew Chiefs
Alex Hutcheson
Julien Guh
Kristina Wiles
Kyle Johnson
Beth Reagan
Kelsey Petrie
Thy Nguyen
Rachel Ford-Fink
Ryan Laychak
Olivia Hairfield
Alex Everington
Quinn Gomola Mullin
Emma Callahan
C.J. Whitaker
Brooke Kanarek
Jenna Li
Jackson Simon
Mary Kate Bailey
Ashley White
Katie Hofer
Kelly Strauch
Patricia Ona
Peter Hazel
Andrew Elliott
Maddy Brehaut
Ashley Gilroy
Tara Hotaling
Cherise Pack
Shannon Egan
Bethany Martin
Hilary Hylton
Riley Panko
Melissa Sanford
Sarabeth Vernon
Taylor Goodson
Katie Wilson
Julia Hurley
Erin Kelley
ARTISTIC STAFF
Director
Asst. Directors
Vocal Directors
Co-Head Choreographers
Asst. Choreographer
Pit Director
Stephanie Lebolt
Lauren Lukow
Clay Shorey
Claire McKercher
Jimmy Edwards
Andy Grindstaff
Theresa Pazanowski
Paige Leslie
Becky Galt
Anna McMillen
Producer's Note: Nick Everington
On behalf of First Year Players, thank you so much for coming this evening! Whether you are an alumnus, parent or friend, it is your support that makes this production possible and worthwhile. In what appears to be somewhat of a trend, we are again producing a show that is currently on Broadway and if I can just say, tonight, you have made the right choice! First Year Players is so much more than a student organization. We are a family. As a seven-semester veteran I can safely say that FYP has become my home-away-from-home. The fact that FYP consistently produces such high-quality musical theater, and does it with so many smiles and so much laughter along the way is nothing short of incredible. The relationships we make in FYP are ones that we will keep beyond that looming May afternoon, they will stay with us forever. Whichever night you happen to e reading these notes, I can guarantee that there is a strong FYP alumni presence in the crowd, that is how much this organization means to its members.
As my tenure as Producer of First Year Players comes to a close I’d like to thank those that have made this journey so amazing. Steph, you have been a fantastic director and the passion with which you have approached this production is inspirational and FYP is lucky to have you. Alex Cooper, I don’t envy your job one little bit, but the pride you take in running the technical side of this organization is unparalleled and I am very grateful for it. Luke Brennan and Ryan Richardson, you two know how much you mean to me, you are the best friends a guy could ask for and I want to thank you both so much for everything you have given to FYP and to me. To the Cast, A-Staff, Prod. Staff, Pit and Tech, thank you for all your hard work this semester – it’s about to pay off!
Audience participation is not something we come across too often in musical theater. It gives both us and you an exciting opportunity to create what we would like to see. Tonight, you will have to make several choices so invest yourself in the characters, allow yourself to feel immersed in the show, the outcome depends on you!
Thank you all so much for coming and enjoy the show!
Director's Note: Stephanie Lebolt
“All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
For me, this is a show about human nature. So often we see the world as black and white, night and day, comedy and tragedy. We are raised on storybook characters defined by inflexible roles – the hero and villain, the damsel-in-distress and wicked witch, but these fantasies don’t speak to our true nature. For who among us is truly good or truly evil? As people, we collectively navigate a reality that is filled with complexity and fraught with uncertainty. It is the element of choice that gives us life and dimension.
Humans are unpredictable beasts. Prone as they are to rash decision-making, fighting, anger and hate – the possibility of civility, bravery, trust, and even love still remains. Tonight you will see a show about love. Tonight you will see a show about hate. Tonight you will see what happens when the one recognizes and accepts the presence of the other. Where entanglement, temptation, transfixion, and betrayal mingle, revelry ensues.
We invite you, dear ladies and gentlemen, to join us at the Music Hall Royale this evening for an exploration of identity, both mistaken and forgotten. As young people this road of definition is one who we all carefully steer. We ask for your participation and your indulgence, but we must earn your love. I would be remiss in not thanking my wonderful cast and artistic staff, all I can say is I owe them more than I could possibly mention.
So come on, let’s all be as vulgar and uncivilized as legally possible! Kick off your boots, loosen your corsets, and enjoy yourself!