Renner Theater to perform unfinished Charles Dickens novel

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Renner Theater is getting ready for its next summer production.

Starting this Friday and running till Aug. 14 they are putting on ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” It was a Charles Dickens novel, however, Dickens died before he could finish the book. Director of the musical adaptation, Shelley Tolliver, said the unfinished ending leaves a lot of room for audience participation.

“The audience gets to decide who is the detective and who is the murder. And in a twist of fate that would make Dickens just roll over on, we are picking two of the actors that are lovers. Which is a total surprise ending. But the audience has complete control over that. And it’s all done live. As a director this is probably the most complicated and most rewarding [show] I’ve ever done.” said Tolliver.

Tolliver said there are 23 cast members, 10 behind the scenes crewmembers, and a full orchestra and band. Riley Perone is the guest artist for the musical and will be displaying and selling artwork she did capturing the actors in full Victorian Era costume.

“I’m always excited to see shows here,” said Perone. “I’m defiantly very interested in the Victorian time period.”

Tickets for the musical are $15. Below is a list of dates and times for performances.