The Denison Singer's Theatre Workshop group will perform the Broadway musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood at 8 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 17) and 3 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 18) in Burke Recital Hall. The show is based on the book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, written -- but never finished -- by Charles Dickens in 1870. The music is by Rupert Holmes. Belinda Andrews-Smith, an instructor in Denison's department of music, is director of the Singer's Theatre Workshop; and Ching-chu Hu, assistant professor of music, is conductor of the student orchestra.

"The show is a murder mystery that is resolved by the voting of the audience," says Andrews-Smith. "It is the audience's participation that makes this production truly special."

The production by the Singer's Theatre is fully staged with costumes. The Mystery of Edwin Drood combines the sounds of the English music hall, with contemporary music theatre music and a bit of opera. The show played on Broadway for more than 600 performances and won numerous Tony and Desk Drama awards for best Broadway musical, book and score.

Andrews-Smith has taught at Denison for the past four years and she also teaches at Ohio University. She earned her doctorate at Ohio State in 1992 and performs regularly with Opera Columbus. She also performs in recital and is a soloist for oratorio and symphonic works.

Cast members are: first-year students Elaine Martin, Mequon, Wis., as Rosa Bud; Megan Long, Chapmanville, W.Va., as Princess Puffer; Brian Giovanni, St. Louis, Mo., as Reverend Crisparkle; and Cole Dunster, Kidron, as Chairman; Brittany Klintworth, Park City, Utah, as Deputy; sophomores Emily Baker, Union, Ky., as Edwin Drood; Morgan Koepke, Seven Hills, as Beatrice; Blake Whyte, Kalamazoo, Mich., as John Jasper; Mark Soloff, Pittsburgh, Pa., as Durdles; Jeryl Hayes, Youngstown, as Miss Throttle; junior Gretchen Phillips, Columbus, as Helena Landless; seniors Heather Hawke, Springfield, as Flo; and Jimmy Clawson, Jeffersonville as Neville Landless.

Members of the ensemble are: first-year student Vanidy Bailey, Charlotte, N.C.; sophomore Sarah Kronour, Lebanon; juniors Emily Horabik, Chardon; Meredith McCoy, Richmond, Ind.; senior Mandy Hull, New Albany.

The Student Orchestra includes: first-year students Michael Soroka, Solon; Daniel Kinicki, Acton, Mass.; Sherrel Easley, Worthington; Lauren Dwyer, Northbrook, Ill.; Chris Dougherty, Reynoldsburg; Abby Bacon, Dayton; Annette Thornburg, Hartville; sophomores Natalie Layne, Chesterland; Bob Hall, Virgie, Ky.; Mike Berlin, Erie, Pa.; Jeff Nibert, Columbus; juniors Danelle Wilbraham, Aurora; Lindsay Brown, Kettering; Steve Norris, Parma; Jonathan Seigel, Chesterfield, Mo.; Seth Rogers, Louisville; Scott Rogers, Butler; and Shane Hancock, Heath; seniors Mary Hallan, Okemos, Mich.; Krista Wiseman, New Richmond; Katie Moore, Benton, Ky.; Tom Hankinson, Mansfield.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575