VALDOSTA – Charles Dickens, author of “Oliver Twist,” “David Copperfield,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Great Expectations,” “A Christmas Carol,” left an unfinished novel at his death.

The appropriately titled “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” has fueled imaginations ever since.

A decade ago, two authors Matthew Pearl and Dan Simmons penned historical fiction mystery/thrillers based on the work. The books were part of a tradition that is nearly 150 years old.

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance brings the work to the stage with the 1980s musical of the same name, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

VSU describes the musical as a “Dickensian who-done-it,” based on Dickens’ unfinished final novel. 

Unlike the Pearl and Simmons novels, the multiple Tony Award-winning show turns the unfinished murder mystery into a comedy that interacts with the audience. All with songs, of course.

And all composed by Rupert Holmes.

If that name sounds familiar, then you might like pina coladas.

Yes, the Rupert Holmes who penned and composed “Drood” is the same Rupert Holmes that wrote and performed “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” the No. 1 1979 pop song, said Joe Mason, director and vocal director of the VSU show.

The concept of the show is based on how many people attempted to create a conclusion for “Drood” following Dickens’ unexpected death. 

Like most of Dickens’ works, “Drood” was being published in newspaper installments. Dickens wrote the stories as the deadline for each installment loomed. So, when he died, “Drood” was unfinished, Dickens had left no notes for the conclusion and thousands of readers were left with no end to the story.

Holmes incorporates the British music hall traditions prevalent at the time of Dickens’ death in 1870.

Mason said the show looks into the dual nature of most people’s personalities.

“There’s a duality in everything,” he said. “Everybody has two sides.”

Given the mix of comedy, mystery and music, “Drood” has more than two sides, creating a musical that should be fun for everybody, Mason said.

“The students in the cast are having a good time,” Mason said. “There’s improv built into the show. It’s improv but not improv. Everything is scripted.”

THE CAST: Benjamin Harper, Aaron Thomas Moore, Shannon Hughey-McNair, Terrance D. Searcy, Jordan Van Dyke, Bekah Ward, Magda Roub, Ursula Trasorras, Brandon Chandler, Ashley Hartwig, Daniel Lennox Jr., Savannah Kern, James Hitchens, Mark Sheme, Taylor Gay, Emmanuel Jacoway, Jackson Whipple, Kate Zerbian, Braeden Baldwin, Abby King, Joshua A. Joyce, James Bohlor Rowell IV, Emma Singer, Nicole Frothingham.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Joe Mason, director & vocal director; Ruth A. Brandvik, scenic & production design; Noah E. Dalton, lighting design; Phillip Brulotte, technical direction & sound design; Emma Marsico, stage manager; Geoffrey Reynolds, choreographer & assistant director; Esther Iverson, costume design; Jacque Wheeler, dialect coach.

ORCHESTRA: Benjamin Harper, conductor; Richard Burkhalter, trombone; Kaitlyn Calcagino, flute/piccolo; Tyler Castellanos, trumpets; Giulio Garner, piano; Yaquarious Holloway, drums, percussion; Kendrick Jacobs, bass; Brooklynne McGonagle, horn; Saylor Smith, oboe, English horn; Jessica Webb, clarinet, bass clarinet.

SHOWTIME

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance presents “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, April 4-6; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7; 7:30 p.m., April 8-10.

Where: Sawyer Theatre, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

More information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.