Willowbrook to present 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'

A "whodunit" tale of mystery is coming to the stage at Willowbrook High School and the audience will get to solve the crime.

Willowbrook will present its fall musical, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Rupert Holmes, at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 19-21, at Willowbrook High School, 1250 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for youth 12 and older, $5 for ages 5 to 11, and free for younger children and senior citizens with a Gold Card.

For tickets, visit dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=2571.

This warmhearted theatrical experience opens with the Music Hall Royale, a loony Victorian musical troupe putting on its rendition of an unfinished Charles Dickens novel, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." The show tells the story of John Jasper, a Jekyll-and-Hyde choirmaster who is madly in love with one of his music students, Miss Rosa Bud.

But she is engaged to Jasper's nephew, Edwin Drood. After Drood disappears mysteriously one Christmas Eve, everyone is left with the questions, "Has Drood been murdered and, if so, whodunit?"

Willowbrook theater director Regina Wathier said she chose the musical because it is stylistically different from what the school typically performs. It also showcases one of the youngest casts she has worked with in nearly 20 years.

"It's exciting to see the new talent take the stage," Wathier said. "This is definitely an entertaining show."

Sophomore John DeAngelo said he enjoys the challenge of performing the role of Jasper.

"Outwardly, Jasper is a very prestigious and well-respected man in town," DeAngelo said. "But he has a secret dark side as well, so I have to act as two different people nearly the entire musical."

He added that what makes "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" unique is that the audience will get to determine the ending. The crowd will pick from eight possible murderers, six potential detectives and nine couple combinations.

"There will be a lot of interaction between the actors and the audience members," DeAngelo said. "The show couldn't exist without them."

Sophomore Kathleen Cicero plays Drood, whom she described as "cocky, but caring." The role of Bud is portrayed by senior Mariana Martens, who said the musical has helped her grow as a performer.

"For this show, I have to use all the skills I've learned - acting, dancing, singing and improv - and I have to be 'on' in all of those areas the entire time," she said.

Martens said participants can "literally expect a different show every night," and they will get to experience the outcome of the performance right along with the actors.