Looking for a rowdy evening? Hie yourself to Stray Dog Theatre's "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". Based on the unfinished last work of Charles Dickens, it uses the play-within-a-play concept set in a late Victorian music hall. The large cast – Dickens novels absolutely teem with characters – roam the audience before the start of the play and the last half of the intermission, chatting madly in character, joking and encouraging the audience to respond and even heckle them during the play.
The aura is much like the melodramas of the days of riverboats. The only element lacking is moustache twirling. A nephew of John Jasper, one Edwin Drood, is coming to visit his uncle and see his fiancee, an orphan who lives nearby. The fiancee's name is Rosa Bud – Dickens often had fun with his characters' names, one of the few characteristics he shared with W.C. Fields.
Now pay attention here, because there may be a quiz later. Drood is played by Miss Alice Nutting, "London's Leading Male Impersonator", and Miss Nutting is played by Heather Matthews. John Jasper, the most potentially moustache-twirling of all, is Mr. Clive Page, and he's Zachary Stefaniak, who also did the fine choreography. The near-angelic Rosa, Miss Deidre Peregrine, is Eileen Engel (who also did the costumes). Got that? Good, because that's how it works. I'll spare you most of the rest of this game, because I understand how chaotic it seems.
Matthews' portrayal of the title character shows his youth, seemingly far younger than the few years the script says separate him from his uncle. It's not a deep incongruity, though. Zachary Stefaniak takes this opportunity to gnash his teeth and cast knowing looks aside, generally chewing the scenery as befits the occasion, fun to watch. Engel sails smoothly through her perfect-girl role and has a dynamite voice.
We are led through the rather necessary exposition of things by the chairman, a sort of master of ceremonies of the English music halls of the era, played by Gerry Love. Lavonne Byers is the Princess Puffer, and has a whale of a time with it. Lots of other good work from other folks, but a strong suggestion that you watch the almost-silent Michael Juncal, Mr. James Throttle, who plays the bartender and, primarily, The Stage Manager. His wordless work is priceless. This is not to say that he's actually the stage manger – that's Justin Been, who also directed the play.
This is probably not a musical that will last though the ages, but it's fun. The only tweak would be some opening night sound problems with cues and balancing.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
through April 18
Stray Dog Theatre
Tower Grove Abbey
2336 Tennessee Ave.