By Ande Jacobson

Sunnyvale Community Players concludes its 45th season with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. This musical, written entirely by Rupert Holmes, turns the unfinished Dickens story of the young Edwin Drood on its head. From the time they walk into the theatre, the audience members will be invited to join in the fun as the Music Hall Royale tells the tale as a play within a play. Dickens never finished his novel because he had the audacity to die prior to penning an ending. As such, the company members can only go so far with the story on their own. Every performance, the company will ask the audience to vote on a variety of important plot points such as determining the identity of a detective who shows up in Act 2. They’ll also be asked to identify the murderer, because let’s face it, a mystery just isn’t worth its salt without a murderer. Finally, there will be one other outcome on which to vote, but you’ll have to come see the show to find out what.

Heading the cast is Walter M. Mayes as the Chairman. He is kind of a Cat in the Hat type character who is mischievous, quick witted, and he can show up anywhere without warning. The title character, Edwin Drood, is portrayed by Lea Schweitzer.

As for suspects in the case of Edwin’s murder, watch this preview to get a bit of insight.

The artistic staff includes: Diane Milo, Matt Bourne, Esther Selk, Lori Basuino, and Mel Kent.

The remaining cast includes: Becky Brownson, Indie Calderon, Angela Cesena, Mike Cuddy, Zach Doyle, Greg Dutson, Breanna van Gastel, Greg Goebel, Matthew Hall, Robin Holbrook, Cami Jackson, Jaake Margo, Elizabeth McClelland, Glenna Murillo, Sam Nachison, Keith Pennings, Minna Rogers, Deborah Roth, Sam Saunders, Gary Stanford, Matt Tipton, Stacia Stuart, Aaron Weisberg and Allison Zenke.

Under the stage under the direction of Bourne’s “cryptic baton” are: Ande Jacobson, Martin McHan, Richard Krishnan, Asa Stern, Kevin Feliciano, Keith Leung, Karen Hadsell, Blossom Santiago, Ed Lacina, Joseph Kelly, Andy Scott, Don Brownson, Randy Chase, Henry Reed, Bruce Herman, Monica Bugaoan-Abakan, Miho Nishi, Judy Diamond, Flori Madan, Marilyn Anderson, and Richard Lum. Note that not all players play all performances.

Tickets are available online through the Sunnyvale Community Players website or by phone at 408-733-6611. The show runs Thursdays – Sundays, 4-26 April 2015. If ordering tickets online, be sure to use the code word “Moonfall” to have the option to enjoy a 30% discount on the Adult/General ticket prices.

Performances will be at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theater located at: 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale CA 94087.

There will be no A Good Reed Review review for this one as yours truly will once again be sitting in the pit contributing to the instrumental excitement of this production.

(Photo courtesy of Sunnyvale Community Players)