WILSON, N.C. — Halfway through an ambitious second season in the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, Adam Twiss, director of Theatre at Barton, shares, “Through the transformative power of theatre, we leave the Scottish moors of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ to embark on a performance experience of another variety as Theatre at Barton proudly presents “Drood,” a musical by Rupert Holmes adapted from Charles Dickens’ ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood.’”
“Drood” opens in Barton’s Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre with evening performances Thursday through Saturday, March 3-5, at 8 p.m., and Sunday afternoon, March 6, at 3 p.m. A special preview performance for invited guests will be held on Wednesday, March 2.
“This wildly warm-hearted comedy kicks off with our actors playing actors playing characters in a flamboyant rendition of the unfinished Dickens mystery,” continues Twiss. “The story itself deals with John Jasper, a Jekyll-and-Hyde choirmaster who is quite madly in love with his music student, the fair Miss Rosa Bud. Now, Miss Bud is, in turn, engaged to Jasper’s nephew, young Edwin Drood. Our title character disappears mysteriously one stormy Christmas Eve — but has Edwin Drood been murdered? And, if so, then whodunnit? Dickens passed away before revealing the truth, but in this production, the audience gets to finish it for him!”
Directing “Drood” will be guest director Renee Wimberley, whom the audience will remember as Hecate in “Macbeth.” Wimberley had the opportunity to work directly with Rupert Holmes, composer of “Drood,” while she studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The “Drood” company, includes guest artists: Michael Murray, Tom Beamon, James Hitchens, Eunja Peterson, and Hannah Slaughter, as well as Barton’s Mark Peterson, Adam Twiss, Jorge Santos, Wesley Pridgen, Kerstin Conrad, Sue Murphy, Katelyn Barr, Lillian Sarvey, Jane Kolunie-Webb, Mary Goggins Selke, Brandon Cook, David Garifo, Jeremy Lowe, and Adam Barr.
Chris Bernier, technical director of theatre, is overseeing the lighting and scenic design while James Duncan is overseeing sound design. Jorge Santos is the stage manager, and Barton theatre alumna Jess Jones is handling costume, hair, and make-up design.
General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and members of the military, and $6 for students. Barton College students, faculty and staff are admitted free with proper ID. Group rates are also available for parties of six or more by contacting Adam Twiss at ajtwiss@barton.edu or 252-399-6484 to make arrangements. Tickets are available at the door and also may be purchased online at www.barton.edu/theatre. (Please note there is a $2 advance online charge for Barton students, faculty and staff.)
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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.