Show Synopsis:
A theatre troupe introduces ?The Mystery of Edwin Drood? as an unusual theatrical venture, and begins the story of John Jasper, a tormented man, and his nephew Edwin Drood, who is about to marry Rosa Bud and leave for Egypt. Rosa faints during her singing lesson because of the lustful lyrics in the song her tutor Jasper composed for her. Twin orphans from British Ceylon, Neville and Helena, come to the ladies? seminary where Rosa lives and Neville begins to fall in love with Rosa. The next day the twins meet Edwin, who offends them with his plan to pave a stoned highway from the Egyptian pyramids. Jasper sneaks into the tomb of Major Sapsea?s recently deceased wife, and Edwin and Rosa break off their engagement but decide to hide this fact until after Christmas. Edwin and Neville head out together, and the next day Edwin is reported missing, while the coat he was wearing the night before is found torn and bloody. Neville is the chief suspect in the murder but he is released because Edwin?s body has not been uncovered. Jasper tells Rosa he loves her and Rosa refuse him. Six months later, Princess Puffer and the mysterious Dick Datchery arrive in London, and Puffer encourages Rosa Budd to not give up on her ambitions of performing. The show stops momentarily, since Charles Dickens died before writing the rest of the novel, and the audience votes for who killed Edwin Drood. Puffer reveals herself as Rosa?s former nanny, and the murderer (chosen by the audience) confesses. The audience votes on two lovers who should end up together, and Edwin Drood rises from the crypt to tell the story of what happened the night he disappeared.
Character:
John Jasper, an affluent music tutor who is wracked with lustful feelings for Rosa Bud; often takes laudunum to ease his inner pain and is ashamed at the man it turns him into.
Song Context:
Jasper confesses to committing the murder of Edwin Drood, which, depending on the audience of the production, he may or may not have actually committed.
Fun Facts:
1) This musical was based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens titled "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
2) Howard McGillin originated the role of Jasper on Broadway and told "Talkin' Broadway" in an interview that "it holds a very special place in my heart, as my first original role on Broadway. And again, it was a role in which the audience loved to hate him. There was booing and hissing from the get-go, with a story that was much less familiar to the audience. The setup of the show was so perfect that the audience knew when and how to respond." He also described the character as "the tormented, mad, opium-addicted guy, lusting after this fair young flower."
"I will not lie:
I wished Ned to die.
Twice dead am I?
A man could split in twain
Yet to all eyes remain
A soul genteel who can conceal the venom in his brain.
And if he draws upon the pause in madness,
Opium smoke supplies?
Why this great surprise?
There are two men in me,
And cunning bright is he
Who hides himself, resides himself where I?ve no eyes to see!
But now I think he?s at the brink of breaking through the door?
I?m in! He?s out!
I?m out! He?s free!
I?m free! I?m free once more!
How many times I?ve killed that Drood upon my flights,
My flights that burst the smug presumption of his rights,
His rights, as e?er his rights to share my Rosa?s bed;
It took no smoke for me to picture Edwin dead!
That night I poured them both deep cups of laudanum,
And then to toast my Ned and Neville I drank some.
That?s when my greatest flight of fancy did take place,
I watched my hand outstretched towards Edwin?s pale white face?
And in the moonfall,
I saw my fingers
Clutching his neck so tightly,
Touching his sleeve,
He fell so lightly?
Moonfall then fell on me.
But God, the deed was much too easily done,
As much as over once it had begun.
Such tragedy to finally make the kill,
And not to awake to taste the thrill.
Now I?ve confessed?
Now we both can rest!"