New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Landless Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood [Symphonic Metal Version],' an exclusive "MetalTheatre" adaptation of Rupert Holmes' Tony-winning musical at the Logan Fringe Arts Space. The production is directed by Melissa Baughman (2015 Helen Hayes Awards Nominee for Outstanding Direction of a Musical), and orchestrated by The Fleet Street Collective.
'The Mystery of Edwin Drood [Symphonic Metal Version]' runs April 5 - 29, 2018, at Trinidad Theatre - Logan Fringe Arts Space, 1358 Florida Ave, NE Washington, DC 20002.
In Drood, London's bawdy and raucous
Music Hall Royale performs a
Symphonic Metal Musicale based on the unfinished 'Mystery of Edwin Drood' by the late Mr. Charles Dickens. The audience will solve and resolve this mystery once and for all.
In late 2014, Landless obtained permission from Rupert Holmes to adapt 'Drood' into a work of MetalTheatre. Holmes is a Tony-winning playwright-composer, acclaimed mystery novelist, and singer-songwriter renowned for pop hits like "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)."
"I thought Edwin Drood might take well to a heavy metal treatment," said Holmes. "As a musical whose ending is constantly changing, this interesting change of scenery for the show would be a fascinating experiment."
Landless' MetalTheatre concept involves bringing together artists from the theatre and music scenes to infuse classic musicals with the power and punch of a rock concert. 'Drood' stars local metal band lead singer Lily Hoy (Master Sword) as Edwin Drood, and Steve Wannall (Shakespeare's Skum, Cheeky Monkey Side Show, The Drum Runners) as Chairman
William Cartwright. The cast also features Melissa LaMartina (Call Girl of Cthuhlu, Baltimore's Shocktale Hour) as Helena Landless and co-arranger Andrew
Lloyd Baughman (Sweeney Todd, Diamond Dead) as John Jasper.
Drood [Symphonic Metal Version] is Landless Theatre's second "MetalTheatre" adaptation. In 2015, Landless' 'Sweeney Todd [Prog Metal Version],' orchestrated with special permission by Stephen Sondheim, garnered three Helen Hayes Award nominations for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and Outstanding
Music Direction.
Landless recently obtained permission create a "Circus Metal Version" of Bob Merrill's 'Carnival.' A first workshop production of METALCARNIVAL will be held in Summer, 2019.
'The Mystery of Edwin Drood [Symphonic Metal Version]' runs April 5 through April 29, Thursdays through
Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM. All performances are held at District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. Admission is $25. For tickets and information visit https://www.capfringe.org.
**Press Night is Saturday, April 7, 8:00 PM at Trinidad Theatre - Logan Fringe Art Space, 1358 Florida Ave, NE Washington, DC 20002. Please email abaughman(at)landlesstheatrecompany(dot)org to RSVP.**
About Landless Theatre Company: The Landless Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to infusing vitality into the local arts by producing exciting and accessible alternative theatre to generate new and diverse audiences. More information online at https://www.landlesstheatre.com.
