Photos: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Presents THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) begins the second half of the 2018-19 season with Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Paul Mullins will direct the interactive musical mystery. Performances will be held in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre February 28th - March 10th. For tickets and information, please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-2113.

In this unsolved, unfinished, musical murder-mystery, you choose the culprit! Based off of Charles Dickens' incomplete last work, Rupert Holmes' innovative, interactive musical won three Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards when it originally premiered. Set in a Victorian musical hall, the bawdy crew of performers at The Music Hall Royale act out the tale as far as they can. They will regale you with an entertaining evening - but need your help to finish the story. Tonight - Edwin Drood's fate rests in your vote!

Paul Mullins returns to the Connecticut Repertory Theatre where he has previously directed the world premiere of "I'm Connecticut" by Mike Reiss. Other CRT credits include, last season's "The Crucible," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Urinetown" and others.

Mullins says, "I am thrilled to be bringing this great musical to our CRT community. The company of actors and designers and musicians is superb and will take our audience on an amazing, hilarious and thrilling ride through Charles Dickens' great mystery. This is audience participation - just the way that you like it. You get to vote on several key questions regarding the mystery - it's choose your own adventure."

The production will be led by Broadway and Regional theatre veterans Emily Ferranti, Kelly Lester, and Kurt Zischke.

Emily Ferranti makes her CRT debut in the role of Miss Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood. She most recently finished the Broadway National Tour in the original company of "An American in Paris" (Milo Davenport). She also performed in Broadway's "Wicked" (Glinda/Nessarose U/S). Other National Tours include "Wicked" (Nessarose) and "Dreamgirls" (Sweetheart). She has also performed at Radio City Music Hall in the "Radio City Spring Spectacular" (Directed by Diane Paulus and Warren Carlyle).

Kelly Lester makes her CRT debut in the role of Miss Angela Prysock/ Princess Puffer. Recent regional theatre credits include "Mame "(Mame) with Musical Theatre Guild, "Cabaret" (Fräulein Schneider) with La Mirada Theatre, and "The Spitfire Grill" (Hannah) with Penobscot Theatre. Kelly received the LA Ovation and Stage Scene LA Awards for "The Boy From Oz" (Marion) and "Adding Machine - A Musical" (Mrs. Zero). Television credits include "Angie Tribeca," "The Haunted Hathaways," and "Criminal Minds." Film and New Media credits include "Mr. Church, J. Edgar," "Becoming Bond" (HULU), "The Bad Twin" (LMN), and "Good Game" (YouTube Red).

Kurt Zischke (Mr. William Cartwright/Chairman) returns to the CRT stage after playing Cardinal Barbarini in "Galileo." Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours include "Signs of Life," "Whistle Down the Wind," The Buddy Holly Story," "The Three Sisters," "Antigone," "King Lear," "A Doll's House," "The Beaux' Stratagem," "George Abbott's Broadway," "Barbara's Blue Kitchen," and "Ulysses in Nighttown" among others. Regionally, he has appeared across the country at theatres including The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Pioneer, Cincinnati Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, La Jolla Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival and others.

Photo Credit: Gerry Goodstein