Timp Arts Foundation Presents • The Mystery of Edwin Trood • October 12, 2026 • Valentine Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by: Scott Mason and Caleb Wallengren
So often when we attend community theater, we can expect to see a classic show. A show that once had a major run on Broadway and has then toured and then, at some point, been made available to be licensed and performed at the community level. We love these shows because they are familiar and beloved to us. Sometimes they give us great opportunities to show one of our favorite shows to someone who hasn’t seen them. We have an idea of what to expect, at least to a certain degree, and therefore feel safe attending and bringing someone. And while I love that familiarity and nostalgia, there is nothing like seeing something entertaining due to the unexpected. Such is the case with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Whether you’ve seen it or not.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on the novel Charles Dickens never got to finish. Before he wrote the final chapters, the legendary writer passed away. This left many readers wondering what the intended conclusion would be for years. The adapted musical by Rupert Holmes (You mean the Rupert Holmes who wrote “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)? Yes, THAT Rupert Holmes) allows us to find out what happened to Edwin Drood, but also gives the audience the choice in who the killer actually is. It’s part “Choose Your Own Adventure”, part musical comedy. It’s an enjoyable show from start to finish, and this Timp Arts production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood is not to be missed.
Before this production opened, I had the opportunity to attend one of the rehearsals. I’ve been so impressed with the Timp Arts and Sentinel Theater productions I’ve seen that I wanted to get a glimpse behind the curtain to see what magic is happening in these rehearsals. And theatrical magic really does happen. I’ve become a big fan of director Andrew Jeffries, and that fandom only grew when I observed his directing style in person. He has a pleasant air about him. He was able to keep the cast focused and on task. Jeffries allows cast members to create their characters while also being sure to keep the show he has in mind intact.
It was amazing to see the scene I watched in the rehearsal transform into the scene I saw just weeks later on the stage. I could see that there was a good production in the works in that rehearsal. It was impressive to see the cast members’ growth within that time frame. I was very grateful for that peek into what they were creating. Their hard work paid off in the performance.
This was a perfectly cast production. Each role in “Drood” is demanding in its own way. I felt like every cast member rose to that challenge. There are so many lines in this show. And the timing that is necessary in delivering these lines takes precision. I was so impressed with the way this cast delivered this production, but also in the ease they seemed to be doing so. That’s not to say that it wasn’t difficult, because I’m sure this was not an easy script to learn and portray. But they seemed well rehearsed to the point that every line seemed as if it was being spoken naturally for the first time.
This starts with Wayne Keller III. He plays The Chairman (Mr. William Cartwright). He’s responsible for the narration of the story while also at times needing to be inserted within the play. The pacing and timing throughout seemed to rest on his shoulders. A challenge he seemed prepared for and able to deliver admirably.
John Jasper (Mr. Clive Paget), the perceived villain of the show, was played by Mark Gordon. Gordon gives us everything we want from a villain like this. This character called for the type of performance that you might see in a melodrama. Gordon delivers in every scene. The audience booed and hissed appropriately, bringing smiles to the audience.
Taylor Ann Jaeger played Rosa Bud (Miss Deirdre Peregrine), the consummate leading lady, with grace, humor, and just enough suspicion to make us wonder if she just might be the killer.
I enjoyed this cast from top to bottom. They so often say in theater that there are “no small parts”. That rings quite true in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Every part seemed essential for the story. Whether it be Curt R. Jensen as Durdles or Ben Dunford-Cable as Deputy, the characters have a big presence. Scenes with Lucas Stewart and Alexa Thompson as Neville and Helena Landless were so big and funny that it was impossible to focus on anyone else. Kristyan Williams as Puffer impressing with her voice, or Drew Graham as Reverend Crisparkle, or Beck Mercury as Bazzard bringing very different comic relief not only made it impossible to have a favorite character, but seemingly impossible to decide on who would be the killer.
This was the most entertaining moment of the whole show. The audience was given the opportunity to not only choose the murderer of Edwin Drood, who, by the way, was hilariously played by Lily Shepard, but also a couple of other scenarios that I won’t spoil here. As these decisions were being made, I could see the joy on the faces of audience members. Some were for sure friends of cast members wanting to see them get some extra featured time. But most were regular attendees trying to decide which direction this production would go. It was so much fun to have a hand in what happened next.
I couldn’t help but think of the rehearsal time this takes to make sure everyone was ready to act out a different ending depending on the audience vote. Our vote was unexpected. But excellently executed as if this was the decision every night.
I loved the staging, I loved the choreography, I quite simply enjoyed my night watching this production. The fun part is I can return and watch this again and get an entirely different ending. Which is something I plan to do. This is a perfect show for the Halloween season. It’s fun, suspenseful, a little spooky, and wildly entertaining. Timp Arts has done it again. Go see this show! Twice!
The Mystery of Edwin Drood concludes its run with three more performances at the Valentine Theater in American Fork. Tickets range from $15-$25. The show rates at what I would call a light PG. There is some language, some innuendo, sensory advisory with lighting and such. But overall it’s a fun night out with the family.
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