The Mystery of Edwin Drood — Nominee for Best Revival of a Musical

Opened:
November 13, 2012

Closed:
March 10, 2013

Author:
Music, book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes; based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens

The Story:
The Mystery of Edwin Drood tells the story of a young gentleman named Edwin Drood whose mysterious disappearance casts suspicion over the eccentric residents of a small English village. A cast of English music hall performers re-enact the disappearance of Drood, enlisting the audience to finish the story by allowing them to vote on the identity of the murderer.

Based On:
The show is based on the final novel by Charles Dickens, which ended abruptly when Dickens died in 1870. Because the novel was incomplete, the identity of the murderer—or the question of Drood’s ultimate fate in general—was never revealed.

Show History:
The Mystery of Edwin Drood debuted in August 1985 at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, with Betty Buckley, George Rose, Cleo Laine and Howard McGillin. A revised version opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on December 2, 1985; the production received 11 Tony nominations, winning five, including Best Musical.

Producers:
Roundabout Theatre Company

Other Honors:
—Broadway.com Audience Choice Award nomination for Favorite Musical Revival
—Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
—Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
—Drama League Award nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical

Fun Fact:
Rupert Holmes is widely considered to be the first Broadway composer ever to write the book, music, lyrics and full orchestrations for a show.