Star of the Day Event Productions kicks off its first production of the fall with the mystery musical “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Oct. 4 to 12, St. John’s UCC, Emmaus.

Star of the Day had announced “The Sound of Music” as its fall musical, but when Civic Theatre of Allentown announced it was staging “The Sound of Music,” Star of the Day founder Kirsten Almeida decided to change direction.

“We always aim to be supportive, collaborative members of our community, and are grateful for the support we receive in return,” Almeida says.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” is a musical written by Rupert Holmes based on the unfinished Charles Dickens’ novel of the same title. The show is the first Broadway musical with multiple endings that are determined by audience vote.

“’Drood’ is a fun-filled experience with a cast that routinely breaks the fourth wall to engage with the audience,” says director Daniel Petrovich. “The fact that the audience chooses the murderer can make for one interesting evening.”

The musical, premiering on Broadway in 1985, was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning five Tonys, including for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” is performed in a style hearkening back to British pantomime and Music Hall genres that had reached a height of popularity around the time of Dickens’ death.

For the Star of the Day production, Almedia is choreographer, Benjamin Stefan is music director and Parker Ryan is scenic and lighting designer.

Although named after Edwin Drood (Oliver Thompson), the musical focuses on Drood’s uncle Jasper John (Benjamin Ruth), a choirmaster who lusts after his student and Drood’s fiancé Rosa Bud (Rachel Knappenberger).

The cast includes Nathaniel Lawall, TJ Seislove, Pandora Beatrix, Safran Astra, Courtney Bodnar, Maggie Toner, Jack Warnke, Laura Jones, Abby Holtz and David Carmen.

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12; 3 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, Star of the Day Event Productions, St. John’s United Church of Christ, 139 N. Fourth St., Emmaus. 484-809-9228, https://www.staroftheday.org/

Reclaimed Performing Arts Company presents the second in its series of “extreme” takes on Shakespeare’s plays with “Romeo and Juliet,” 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

The group presented its first “extreme” version of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” last year in the Rodale Room.

The theater company was founded by 2023 Cedar Crest College graduate Carter Reichard, who says the goal is to create a judgment-free artistic space.

Reichard, director of “Romeo and Juliet,” says the troupe casts actors who are “typically unseen and under-represented in the arts.”

When the play was cast in June, actors received the scripts along with expectations from Reichard and the production team, including costuming and anything specific that needed to be addressed.

On the day of the performance, the cast will rehearse during the day, learn the blocking and perform the show that night.

“Romeo and Juliet,” 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Reclaimed Performing Arts Company, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. https://reclaimedpac.square.site/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com