San Juan Hills play invites you to decide who killed Edwin Drood
When he died in 1870, iconic English author Charles Dickens left the literary world an unfinished murder-mystery novel and, with it, a burning question – who killed Edwin Drood?
In the 142 years since, that mystery has spawned spinoff books, plays and a movie. This week, drama students at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano are having a bit of fun with the question, performing Rupert Holmes' Broadway musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
If you attend Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening, you might see a different whodunit ending each night as the players apply their best Victorian wit.
The audience gets to vote on three questions that affect the outcome – whodunit, the identity of a mystery character, and two lovers who emerge at the end.
"There are 22 possible endings," director Sheila Silver said. "There are eight different possible murderers. And we have different choreography for all the different ones with the murderer."
The most likely culprit might be jealous drug addict John Jasper, played by Mackian Bauman of San Clemente. Or could the killer be devilish Princess Puffer, portrayed by Elle Grant of San Clemente? Or the Rev. Crisparkle, played by Taylor Block of Laguna Niguel? Or maybe Neville Landless, an immigrant from Ceylon played by Alexis MacAdam of Ladera Ranch?
The cast also features players from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Mission Viejo and elsewhere in south Orange County.
Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $15 and are available online here.
For more information, call 949-234-5900.
Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127
