Findlay, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2003 — The University of Findlay music and theatre programs will present the hilarious Tony-award winning musical “whodunit” The Mystery of Edwin Drood Wednesday, Feb. 19, through Monday, Feb. 24, in the John and Hester Powell Grimm Theatre.

The show, with music, lyrics and book by Rupert Holmes, will be staged at 8 p.m. Feb. 19-22 and on Feb. 24. The show on Feb. 23 will be held at 6 p.m.

The audience plays a pivotal role in this rollicking musical version of an old- fashioned “whodunit?” mystery, as they vote on the solution to the mysterious disappearance of the handsome young rake, Edwin Drood. This wildly hysterical, yet warm-hearted, theatrical experience kicks off when the Music Hall Royale (a raucous, loony Victorian musical troupe) performs its own flamboyant rendition of an unfinished Charles Dickens novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. In the story, John Jasper, a “Jekyll & Hyde” choirmaster, is madly in love with his music student, the fair Rosa Bud. But Rosa is, in turn, engaged to Jasper's nephew, Edwin Drood. When Drood suddenly disappears on a dark and stormy night, murder is suspected, but who could have committed the crime? That’s for the audience to decide - one murder, eight suspects and 221 different possibilities for the hilarious finale.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood opened on Broadway in 1986 and won five Tony Awards for best musical, book, score, director and actor. It also won eight Drama Desk Awards for best musical, book, score, orchestration, director, costume design, actor and featured actress, and five Outer Critics Circle Awards for best Broadway musical; choreography; and costume, set, and lighting designs. Drood ran for 608 performances on Broadway before transferring to an equally successful run in London’s West End.

Producer and music director for the show is Micheal F. Anders, Ph.D., professor of music. Other production staff includes Vicki McClurkin, adjunct professor of theatre, as stage director; Jennifer Bates, adjunct professor of dance, as choreographer; and Jerry Deall, assistant professor of theatre, as scenic and lighting designer. Sara Hingson is assistant director, Kristi Delaski is stage manager, and Kathy Newell is costumer. Props manager is Jomay Bomber, hair designer is J. Ladd, make-up designer is Cathy Foxhoven, and sound designer is Jeff Dean. Sharon Vaas is serving as rehearsal accompanist.

Cast members for the show include Joshua Hilborn from McCutchenville, Ohio, playing the role of The Chairman; Bob Schirmer of Bluffton, Ohio, playing the role of John Jasper; Courtney Roediger of Gates Mills, Ohio, playing the role of Edwin Drood; and Nancy Williams of Ada, Ohio, playing the role of Rosa Bud. Jaclyn Hilborn of McCutchenville, Ohio, is Helena Landless, and Curtis Wildes of Borookfield, Wisc., is Neville Landless. The part of Rev. Crisparkle is played by Kurt Alleer of McComb, Ohio, while the part of Princess Puffer is played by Megan Lyon of Caledonia, Ohio. Erik Christensen of Holland, Ohio, is Durdles; Kevin Shields of Bucyrus, Ohio, is the Deputy; and Matt Dennis of Warren, Ohio, is Bazzard.

Members of the ensemble include Brian Berheide of Berea, Ky.; Andrea Coto of New Boston, Mich.; Karen Hawke of Fombell, Pa.; Cassandra Kent of Bluffton, Ohio; Kyle Kutchenriter of Grand Rapids, Ohio; James Morris of Sturbridge, Mass.; April Walker of Mount Blanchard, Ohio; Jodi Wurst of Delphos, Ohio; Michael Schoeppner of Bucyrus, Ohio; and John Betts, Angela Fruth, Larry Gifford, Matt Harris, Gregory Hartman, Steve Huffman, Christine Hollington, Jerry Mathern, Chelsea Riggs and Natalie Terry, all of Findlay.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens and are available by calling the UF Box Office at 419-434-4531.