The Strauss Theatre Center presents Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Homes Mystery. Based on Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, Ludwig turns the fast-paced thriller into a snappy-comic mystery with five actors performing over 40 roles.
The story follows the world's most-famous detective and his faithful sidekick, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as they are called into a case involving the male heirs of the Baskerville line who are being murdered one by one. Can the duo solve the mystery or will the new heir, Texan-born Henry Baskerville, also be murdered?
Craig West, the actor portraying Dr. Watson, says that while Holmes is the better thinker, Watson is the man on the scene in this case. In fact, Holmes is not even present during much of the story. West adds, "It's a good twist on what you might think of the normal way it would happen. This is definetly not your mother's Sherlock Holmes."
The group started rehearsals in November and has worked tirelessly through late nights over the past few months to pull this difficult production off.
Terri Cunnigham, the play's director, recalls the long rehearsals getting confusing at times because three of the five actors portray 43 different parts throughout the play. She says, "We are still at that point of asking who is playing who on set, but they use different accents and tones of voice to help the audience. The actors are really doing a marvelous job."
Tickets for Baskerville are $30 for adults and $15 for students. During the show's run, the Strauss Center has asked guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled performance to allow time to park. Friendly ushers will assist latecomers to a seat at an appropriate moment at the discretion of the theater.
Performance are January 30 through Feburary 1 at 7 p.m., Feburary 2 at 2 p.m.; then resume the following weekend February 7-8 at 7 p.m.
For more information about Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery or to buy tickets, click here.
