AUDITIONS for “THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD” at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Director Tom Width is seeking a cast of eighteen singers/actors/dancers for Swift Creek Mill Theatre’s upcoming production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, playing November 14 – December 28 (with possible, but unlikely, extension thru January 4). This show within a show takes place at the Music Hall 
Royale, and is peopled with broad melodramatic characters, some bawdy humor, and really great music by Rupert Holmes. We will be doing the show with an 8-piece orchestra. It is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel by the same name. Because Dickens never revealed the villain of the piece, the audience gets to vote on whodunit, and the finale is performed accordingly. Everyone in the cast plays their “actor” role in the Music Hall, and also plays their “character” role in the performance of the murder mystery – so it’s a very busy cast! If you are not familiar with the show, you can hear both the original Broadway cast as well as the revival cast through many music services. The voices in this show are strong and full of bravura!
Cast breakdown as follows:
Chairman/Mayor Thomas Sapsea: The leader of the music hall troupe. The Chairperson carries the majority of the dialogue and must be quick with a joke and able to improvise. He is in charge of keeping the pace of the show moving. Any age over 40-ish. Baritone – D#3 – F#4
Clive Paget/John Jasper: The Royale’s male lead, a devilishly attractive cad, and he knows it. In Drood, he is the antagonist. Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, and uncle of Edwin Drood. In love with Rosa Bud. Madness lurks beneath his smooth exterior. 35-50-ish. Bari-tenor – A2-A4.
Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood: Prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator. Charming, but, as you might expect, with determination and a lot of ego. Must command the stage. As Edwin Drood, she is an attractive, rich, and popular young man who has everything. 25-45-ish. Mezzo – B3-E5.
Deirdre Peregrine/Rosa Bud: The not-so-innocent ingenue of the Music Hall Royale, Deirdre portrays the love interest of Drood, the young, innocent and apparently fragile Rosa Bud. 16-30-ish. True soprano – A3 – B5 (with a high B natural that can’t be avoided!).
Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer: Angela has been a favorite of London audiences forever, a staple of the stage. As the mysterious Princess Puffer – Madam, opium dealer and general purveyor of vice of all kinds – she is glamorous in her ruin. Over 50. Serious low alto (F3-D5) – must have a big chest voice and lots of rapport with the audience.
Janet Conover/Helena Landless: Janet is a long-standing member of the acting troupe, asked to play mysterious Helena Landless who hails from a mysterious foreign colony not unlike India. 25-50-ish. Mezzo – G3-D5 (optional E5).
Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless: Victor is enjoying his premier performance with the Music Hall Royale. His character, Neville, is Helena’s twin brother. Very passionate and often angry. 25-50-ish. Bari-tenor – C3-G4. Strong ensemble singer.
Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverend Crisparkle: This troupe member is a bit of an open book who plays an archetypical vicar, but who is also a bit of a lurker, and was in love with Rosa’s mother. Must be significantly older than Rosa. Baritone – C3-G4. Strong ensemble singer.
Nick Cricker, Sr./Durdles: “Clown Prince of the Royale” who makes the most of every line and plays the drunkard sexton in Drood. Over 30. Baritone or Tenor – B2-F4. Ensemble singer.
Nick Cricker, Jr./Deputy: Any age younger than Cricker, Sr. As the Deputy, lowest in the pecking order, and very funny. Any voice range. Ensemble singer.
Phillip Bax/Bazzard: Devotee of the theatre, the everlasting understudy, who finally gets his moment. May have quite a major part if the evening turns out that way. Any age. Bari-tenor – A2-Eb4 (optional G4 or Bb4).
Wendy, Beatrice, and many other smaller roles are drawn from the ensemble company of 7, although the entire company often sings as ensemble.