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Show 'Mystery of Edwin Drood' at Theatre see why City Rep brought this play back a second time. Mearle Marsh, who had a lead in this play last year, plays Purcell this time, directing the orchestra. Though a bit loud at times, the musicians were above average in performance as well for "Drood." Audience participation is key to this musical, from the cast's intermingling inter-mingling between acts to the voting at play's end for the murderer and the "romantic matchup." Edwin Drood himself must be proud of how City Rep handles this fun-filled fun-filled musical. It's a shame it has to end on Nov. 19. and stage manager James Throttle intricately involved as well. There are many, many Davis County connections in this musical, music-al, not the least of which is director Jansen Davis and his wife Joy, both of whom also have small roles. Cliff Cole, as Jasper, is known for his excellent voice, having sung the role of "Elijah" with the South Davis Community Choir. Twins Joleen Tuttle and Jolynn Tuttle Flanders are also from the Bountiful Bounti-ful area. Other local participants include: Marilyn Montgomery, choreographer; choreog-rapher; Brad Davis, stage manager; man-ager; Duane Z. Stephens and Gene Rex as cast members. Duane V. Stephens is marvelous as Cartwright, adding witty adlibs and clever one-liners throughout the production. Cole and beautiful Jennifer A. Kendall (Rosa) are great together, the chemistry really coming through between them. As always, Jennifer O'Haley is fabulous, fabu-lous, this time as Edwin Drood, while Laurie Bean and Steven Patrick Pat-rick Sater do credible jobs as the Landlesses. Two of my favorite characters, those of the Reverend Crisparkle and wicked opium dealer Princess Puffer, are portrayed by R. Troy Lunt and Linda K. Skoy. Lunt is wonderful as the nervous, hyperactive hyper-active preacher, while Ms. Skoy lends her beauty and vocal talent to several difficult numbers. Add to that good performances by R.J. Allen, Nels Holmgren, Gene Rex and Michael J. Fletcher (who made me feel real tall), and it's easy to "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," Salt Lake Repertory Theatre, 148 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, through Nov. 19. Call 532-6000 for information. By TOM HARALDSEN As much as I enjoyed City Rep's presentation of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" when it was first performed last fall, I wondered how the ensemble would handle the musical again in the spacious confines of the old Utah Theatre. After all, what makes "Drood" fun is how the cast plays off the audience. audi-ence. But I wasn't disappointed, as this year's version proved just as entertaining and enjoyable, if not more so, than last year's. More than anything else, "Drood" is fun. It will make you laugh, and it will make you cheer. The presentation was not perfect or without some flaws, but few in the newly-full house complained or noticed. This is one of City Rep's finest hours. "Drood" is based on the last, and uncompleted, novel of Charles Dickens. It centers around a young English lad, Drood, who is betrothed to beautiful Rosa Bud, despite the protests of her jealous uncle John Jasper. This situation becomes even more intense with the arrival of lovely Helena Landless Land-less and her handsome brother Qville, who develops an interest osa. The climax of the first act tumes when young Drood disappears, dis-appears, and is feared murdered. It is at this point that Dickens died, leaving posterity to ponder exactly what happened to Drood. "Drood" is theatre within theatre, as cast members take on two identities, those of their Music Hall Royale personas, and those of the characters they play. The entire en-tire production is narrated by chairman William Cartwright, with orchestra maestro Thomas Purcell |