THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD Comes to The Riverdale YM-YWHA, May 5-13

Riverdale Rising Stars presents THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, the interactive musical comedy whodunit in which the audience decides who did it! The Tony Award-winning musical comedy will run for six performances only:

• Saturday, May 5 at 9:15 P.M.
• Sunday, May 6 at 3:00 P.M.
• Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 P.M.
• Saturday, May 12 at 9:15 P.M.
• Sunday, May 13 at 2:00 P.M.
• Sunday, May 13 at 7:00 P.M.

Join a raucous troupe of hammy actors at a turn of the century British music hall as they present a musical entertainment based on Charles Dickens' final, incomplete novel, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. In an ingenious twist, the audience votes on how the show ends: Who's the murderer? Who's the incognito detective? Who are the lovers? There are over one hundred possible permutations, so no two performances will be the same!

Featuring young actors ages 12-18 from the Bronx, Yonkers, Upper Manhattan, and beyond, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD will be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, located at 5625 Arlington Avenue (just off of Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street), in Riverdale, Bronx, NY.

Advance tickets are $12 (students/seniors) and $20 (adults) and may be purchased by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838.3006 or online at www.riverdaley.org/boxoffice. Day-of-show tickets may be purchased at the door prior to showtime for $14 (students and seniors) and $22 (adults).

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD features music, lyrics, and book by Rupert Holmes (songwriter of the chart-topping "Escape - The Piña Colada Song", as well as the book for the musical Curtains. The original production opened in 1985 as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and soon transferred to Broadway, where it won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A 2012 Broadway revival received six Tony Award nominations.

The Riverdale Rising Stars production of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is directed by Laurie Walton, with choreography by Emily Walton and music direction by Justin Fischer and Bob Walton. The design team includes Eric Zoback (Set Design), Arianne DiCerbo (Scenic Painting), Penelope Margeotes (Costumes), David Pentz (Lighting Design), and Joe Matta (Sound Design).

Riverdale Rising Stars (Laurie Walton, Founder and Artistic Director) was created to provide the teens of the Riverdale community and beyond a professional repertory company experience. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has expanded its programming to include Rising Stars Jr., Riverdale Repertory Company, and the Riverdale Performing Arts Conservatory (RPAC), an educational program for adults and children. Of greatest importance is the way that all build self-esteem, learn enormous respect for others, develop camaraderie and create lifelong friendships. Together, these award-winning companies provide a world of expression, passion and creativity for all ages.

The organization's annual Broadway Gala on Sunday, June 17 will feature a concert production of Guys and Dolls, featuring Gala honoree Laurie Walton (Founder and Artistic Director of Riverdale Rising Stars), a cast of Broadway talent, and Riverdale's most talented performers. For more information, visit www.riverdaley.org/programs/theater/.

The mission of the Riverdale YM-YWHA is to be the hub that brings together members of the Jewish and wider community. At the Y, individuals and families of all backgrounds and abilities gather to grow, to learn, and to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connections to one another. Rooted in Jewish values, our cultural, social, educational, health and wellness programs offer members of all ages multiple pathways into the richness of our local community life. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to improve the quality of life in the Riverdale community and celebrate its uniqueness and its diversity. www.RiverdaleY.org