Charles Dickens Legendary ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ is next up in TheatreLab Dayton’s season. Murder, mayhem, and music fill this much-loved mystery! I had the pleasure of speaking to Philip Drennen, the director of the local production.

937: Hey Philip! Thanks for taking a minute to chat about this exciting production of ‘Edwin Drood!’ People often call this show an unfinished masterpiece. Can you elaborate?

PD: Yep! The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel. Dickens passed away before revealing who killed Edwin Drood—or even if he was murdered at all. That mystery became the heart of the musical, giving audiences the rare chance to decide the ending themselves.

937: That is a great gimmick! And I know people go out of their way for that verdict piece alone!! Is that what drew you to ‘Drood?’

PD: We were drawn to Drood because it’s playful, theatrical, and deeply interactive. It fits perfectly with our desire to connect directly with our audience and invite them into the storytelling in a truly hands-on way.

937: That in mind, what can the audience expect from this version of the show?

PD: Expect a hilarious, high-energy whodunit with lots of heart. Each night, the audience votes on who the killer is, which character is actually the detective in disguise, and which two characters fall in love—so no two performances are ever the same.

937: And how would you say this show fits into your theme this year?

PD: This season is all about exploring the full range of human emotion and connection. While Drood is packed with comedy, it also has real warmth, sincerity, and intimacy—especially with the actors performing just feet away from the audience.

937: What is coming up the rest of this season?

PD: In March, we’ll be presenting Nunsense, followed by Amour, which will close out the season back at the PNC Arts Annex.

937: Sounds great, Philip. If people want tickets, where is the show, and what should they know?

PD: The Mystery of Edwin Drood runs January 22–25 at the PNC Arts Annex. Tickets are available at https://www.daytonlive.org/events/edwin-drood/ The show features immersive staging, including table seating right on the floor, putting audiences in the middle of the action.

937: Anything else you’d like to tell readers?

If you love British-style musical comedy—think Spamalot or Something Rotten!—this show is right up your alley. Plus, every ticket supports local Dayton artists and designers. We’re proud to keep our tent right here at home, and we hope audiences will come and be part of the mystery with us.