The Mystery of Edwin Drood Musical

The Mystery of Edwin Drood: You Decide Who Did It Charles Dickens died in 1870 before finishing the novel this show is based on, so nobody actually knows how it was supposed to end. Rupert Holmes took that unsolved mystery and turned it into a delightfully interactive musical where the audience gets to be judge, jury, and storyteller all at once. Set in the charming (and slightly sinister) English town of Chesterham, the story follows young Edwin Drood, who mysteriously vanishes right before he's set to marry his fiancée, Rosa Bud. Everyone's got a motive… The most obvious suspect might be a little too obvious, so don't be surprised if the audience vote takes a twist you didn't see coming. This is a show within a show, the whole thing is staged as though a traveling Victorian troupe called "The Music Hall Royale" is putting on the play. Every actor plays two roles, a member of the troupe and their Dickensian character, which adds a playful, wink-at-the-audience energy to the whole night. Think witty and warm, not spooky or dark. This is a comedy at heart. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is one of the most decorated musicals of its era. Its 1985 Broadway premiere swept five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, plus a Drama Desk and an Edgar Award. It's been staged around the world nearly every day since, performed in languages from Japanese to German, and a celebrated 2012-2013 Broadway revival starring Chita Rivera introduced it to a whole new generation of fans. Come Solve It With Us Since the ending changes based on the audience, a lot of fans come back more than once just to see how differently the story can unfold. So grab your tickets, bring your best detective instincts, and get ready for a night where you actually get to decide whodunit. The Mystery of Edwin Drood runs October 9-24, 2026, at the Valentine Theater. Some material may not be suitable for children.