By BTCT Founder & Associate Artistic Director Evan Margolis, '08
The Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre presents the solve-it-yourself musical comedy, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, on August 20th & 22th at 7:00 pm, and matinee performances on August 18th and 25th at 2:00 pm. All performances will take place at the Mintzes Theatre/H. Morton Rosen Arts Center, located at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School at 3300 Old Court Road in Pikesville, Maryland.
After their highly successful run of Urinetown: The Musical and the positively reviewed comedy The 39 Steps, the BTCT will begin its fifth season with a hilarious, musical mystery! Based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, eight suspects are introduced over the course of the show, each with their own conniving motive. The mystery concludes with the audience voting for the character they believe committed the crime!
The actors are prepared to perform one of eight different endings each night, depending on the audience’s vote. Diane Smith, award-winning director and Artistic Director of Beth Tfiloh Dahan High School, orchestrates the uproarious, family-friendly journey in what The New York Times dubbed a “shimmering musical pleasure.” Audiences will delight at Drood’s catchy tunes, elaborate mysteries, and interactive ending.
After a 14 year hiatus, F. Scott Black, former Artistic Director of the F. Scott Black Dinner Theatre and Dean of the CCBC School of Liberal Arts, makes his triumphant return to the stage as the Chairman and the show's trusty narrator. Max Spitz (Beth Tfiloh class of 2012) makes his fifth appearance on the BTCT stage as the suspicious Neville Landless. Spitz, who is studying theatre at Northwestern University, is joined by his father, Dave. On sharing the stage with his father: “It's nice to see a different side of him, and it’s great to have him around!” Local celebrity Liz Boyer Hunnicut also makes her BTCT debut in Drood, playing the role of Princess Puffer. Hunnicut gained recognition for being a mainstay at the F. Scott Black Dinner Theatre and for her performance in Evita at Cockpit in Court.
The cast includes many other members of the BT family: Dr. Kevin and Lisa Ferentz, parents of alumni and co-cast members Zak (’08) and Noah (’12); recent graduates Rebecca Hefter, Asher Varon and Atara Vogelstein (‘13); and current High School students Noah B. (’17), Yanniv F. (’17), and Jenny R. (’14).
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner of five, including Best Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood has been keeping audiences guessing since its opening in 1985. With music, lyrics, and book by Rupert Holme, Drood is sure to thrill audiences with gripping mysteries and clever gimmicks.
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all performances are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Beth Tfiloh Arts Department at 410-413-2417, via email, or purchased online at bethtfiloh.com/edwindrood. Tickets will also be available at the door. The performance is appropriate for children ages 10 and up.
> Watch a preview of the Broadway musical