Reviews: The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Walt Whitman High School
Written by Sophia Christiano of Langley High School
The best mysteries thrive on uncertainty. Clues hiding in plain sight and motives twisting in unexpected directions, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' at Walt Whitman High School shatters the confines of a typical whodunit story. Embracing the playful unpredictability and suspenseful mischief at the beating heart of this tongue-in-cheek mystery, Walt Whitman's eccentric rendition kept even its own cast guessing.
Based on the unfinished Charles Dickens novel, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" first premiered on Broadway in 1985 with book, music, and lyrics from Rupert Holmes. Set in Cloisterham, a town concealing the motives of Britain's shadiest, Dickens' tale follows the mysterious disappearance of a young Edwin Drood and the suspicion that surrounds those closest to him in the aftermath, most notably his brooding uncle, John Jasper. Told through the lens of a lively music hall troupe performing Dickens' unfinished story, this spirited company invites the audience to vote on the story's unwritten conclusion: who is Edwin's murderer?
Walt Whitman High School's interpretation of Dickens' most elusive classic was brought to life with the help of the skillful accompaniment of the Whitman Pit Orchestra. This group of 46 dedicated instrumentalists filled the air with the lighthearted yet gripping ambiance of Cloisterham, masterfully conveying the riveting secrets hiding in each uniquely captivating character.
At the center of this mystery was the haunting John Jasper (Ryan Sawyer Robbins). Robbins' carefully controlled erratic physicality, giving spirit to a tormented man consumed by obsession, in combination with his commanding vocal performance in "Jasper's Confession", admitting to wanting to kill Drood, created a darkly charismatic foil that proved to be the beating heart of this tale's mystery. Opposite him, Felipe Rank Vidaurri as the fiery outsider Neville Landless was bursting with passionate flair. Vidaurri demonstrated striking physical commitment, purposefully mirroring his character's bubbling intensity with his own increasingly restless energy, with every deliberate move adding to the turmoil of the soon to be revealed murderer of Edwin Drood.
Equally memorable were Reverend Crisparkle (Konrad Filbeck) and Helena Landless (Emma Parsa). Filbeck demonstrated impressive adaptability during the show's interactive conclusion where he was voted the unlikely new lover of John Jasper. Navigating the moment with quick wit and confident comedic timing, Filbeck seamlessly adjusted while maintaining the Reverend's warm charm. Parsa brought a compelling emotional depth, balancing an intentional quiet strength with soaring vocals in "No Good Can Come from Bad". Parsa's poised presence and controlled intensity subtly hinted at Helena's protective loyalty and vulnerability, proving to be an unspoken but irreplaceable facet of this ever-changing mystery.
The set design transformed the stage into a Victorian music hall, framing the story within the playful theatrical world of the performers themselves. This layered staging at the hands of Cooper Schultz, Natalya Bah, Samina DeVinney, and Maxime Goltzman helped elevate the show's unique structure and create the enrapturing environment of a Victorian era theatre. Equally impressive was the lighting design (Susie Hoopes, Conrad Hirsch, Lights Team), using a combination of spotlights and foot lights to cast looming silhouettes behind each character as their secrets unfolded, each dark shape pulling the audience further into the menacing mysteries of every suspect.
Just as a mystery invites its audience to question every detail, stories are shaped by the people who tell them. Walt Whitman's production of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' celebrated just that with creative mischief and delightful uncertainty until the final reveal. Dickens' unfinished mystery found its greatest joy, not in looking for a tidy conclusion, but instead relinquishing the quill and ink, embracing the act of solving the puzzle together.
Written by Wyatt Collis of Oakton High School
What happens when a story ends before its musical does - and the audience is asked to finish it themselves? Chaos, comedy, and a little bit of love! Walt Whitman High School's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood embraced exactly that spirit, transforming Dickensian mystery into a lively, unpredictable night where every performance quite literally rewrote the ending.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on Charles Dickens' final novel of the same name, which he began publishing in serialized form in 1870. Dickens died suddenly before completing the story, leaving readers forever wondering: who killed Edwin Drood? In 1985, playwright and composer Rupert Holmes turned that literary mystery into a meta-theatrical musical comedy. He framed the story as a performance by a Victorian music hall troupe, where actors portray Dickens' characters while also playing exaggerated versions of theatrical performers. Most famously, the musical allows the audience to vote on the murderer, romantic pairings, and even secondary plot resolutions, meaning no two performances are ever exactly the same. The show premiered in New York's Central Park before transferring to Broadway, where its inventive structure and audience participation earned it five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Guiding the audience through this theatrical maze was The Chairman, played by Zayn Gruyters, whose performance was filled to the brim with remarkable energy. His comedy extended far beyond spoken wit; he performed aerial acrobatics on rings and ropes - skills he reportedly taught himself - creating moments that felt equal parts circus act and Victorian spectacle. With effortless charm and constant audience engagement, he truly embodied the ringleader of a royal music hall while encouraging viewers to become active participants in the story. Across him, as the suspicious choirmaster John Jasper, Ryan Sawyer Robbins delivered one of the evening's most compelling performances. Robbins' rich vocals, highlighted by a striking vibrato, elevated Jasper from caricature to captivating villain. His acting choices balanced humor with genuine menace, allowing the character to feel hilariously theatrical one moment and deeply unsettling the next.
Anna Murray took on the demanding dual role of Edwin Drood and the actor Alice Nutting, the "man-impersonator" portraying him. Murray navigated both layers with confidence, capturing Drood's exaggerated charm while sharply contrasting it with Alice's stubborn diva persona. Across from Drood, Felipe Rank Vidaurri and Emma Parsa shone as the Landless siblings, Neville and Helena. Vidaurri's physical comedy consistently drew laughter, while Parsa's soaring vocals added emotional depth and elegance. Together, the pair-maintained audience engagement through both comedic timing and strong musicality.
The technical elements proved equally vibrant. The costume team: Annie Rivers, Mia McBrady, and Kadence Lenz, rooted their designs in Victorian fashion while incorporating distinctive stylistic twists. The Landless siblings' bold oranges and blues emphasized their foreign mystique, with silhouettes subtly reminiscent of 1970s and 80s influences, while Rosa and Drood's regal attire reflected traditional Victorian elegance and social status. Lighting designers Susie Hoopes and Conrad Hirsch delivered just as impressive work. Expansive lighting choices transformed the stage throughout the evening, using color not only to establish mood but to visualize emotion and imagination. The lighting consistently enhanced storytelling, guiding the audience seamlessly between comedy, mystery, and dreamlike fantasy.
Ultimately, Walt Whitman High School's The Mystery of Edwin Drood succeeded because it embraced the show's central truth: the fun lies not in solving the mystery, but in sharing the experience of trying. The production captured the joyous unpredictability that has kept Dickens' unfinished story alive for over 150 years, proving that sometimes the best ending is the one created together.