Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure
Adapted by Steven Dietz
July 10 - August 9, 2009
The game's afoot. Join us...if you dare.
Why are we so fascinated with Sherlock Holmes? What is it about this turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century super sleuth that captivates us?
Could it be his life of adventure and intrigue? His uncanny ability to see through a web of deceit and uncover even the most devious of schemes? His monstrous arch-nemesis Moriarty? Or, as sidekick and companion Dr. Watson observes, is being around him just plain fun?
Whatever the reason, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s man with the inhumanly brilliant mind and the deerstalker cap has remarkable staying power.
Stage 3 Theatre Company brings Holmes back to thunderous life in “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure”, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Play.
Opening Friday, July 10 this is summer fare for sure, “guaranteed to please everyone who joins in the game” as a Backstage review claims. The Phoenix New times called it “ A gleeful whodunit, both deeply original and an expert homage to all things Holmesian.”
“I haven’t had so much fun on stage in years”, says Stage 3 Artistic Director Don Bilotti who plays the title role. “As a kid I idolized Holmes and now I get to be him. Of course the play is chock full of thrills and chills, mystery, danger and narrow escapes, but there is so much more. The man in this play is not invulnerable. He is outsmarted, not only by Moriarty but also by the one great love of his life, Irene Adler. We see a man who is as much trapped by his gifts as freed by them. It is a supercharged role and one of the very few that could tempt me onto the stage these days.”
Playwright Steven Dietz has drawn from several sources for his play: two Holmes stories, "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Final Problem" as well as a play written by Doyle and famed actor William Gillette. In fact, much of what we perceive of Holmes comes from Gillette’s 1899 performance of the detective. For example, the public would no longer accept Holmes without that deerstalker cap and that famous curved pipe.
Without divulging the plot, it is safe to say that Holmes and Moriarty engage in a duel of wits and daring using the beautiful Miss Adler as both pawn and bait. A hidden photograph threatens to upset the balance of power in Europe. The story races through London and across Europe to its climax at the infamous Reichenbach Falls.
Helming this Holmesian romp is director Michael Lynch who recently garnered raves for his portrayal of the wacky Victor Velsaco in “Barefoot in the Park”. An award-winning playwright himself, Lynch has directed some of Stage 3’s most memorable productions, including a devastating production of “Wit” and the touchingly comic “Steel Magnolias”. He says, "This has been an interesting challenge. The play demands many technical requirements, multiple sets, pyrotechnics, intricate sound and lighting cues---the Reichenbach Falls and complex acting roles worthy of Shakespeare. Our goal here is to entertain, thrill, perhaps even educate somewhat, and of course, scare the living bajammers out of the audience. The game is afoot."
Playing the stalwart if befuddled Dr. Watson is John Bell, whose growing list of Stage 3 credits has become increasingly impressive. Mr. Bell was last seen as ---- ‘Chuckles the Chipmunk’ in “A Thousand Clowns”.
The plum role of the mad genius, Professor Moriarty, goes to David Rodriques, who recently played the kinder, gentler Mr. Webb in “Our Town”.
Maryann Curmi adds another notch to her vast repertoire with the role of Irene Adler, the opera singer caught in the center of the intrigue. Ms. Curmi has portrayed everything from a comic, giddy mayfly to the tough-as-nails Sister Aloysius at Stage 3. She also recently directed the triumphant “Barefoot in the Park”.
Michael Crich, who is fast becoming one of the region’s busiest actors, portrays that bellowing Bavarian bull, the King of Bohemia.
Of course, Moriarty is nothing without his clutch of delicious, devious henchmen. Lillian McLeod and James Davis play siblings Madge and James Larabee, the tag team of evil. Ms McLeod is known for her wide variety of stage appearances and as ‘Diamond Lill’, vocalist extraordinaire. Mr. Davis is making his theatrical debut.
Rob Smittle returns to Stage 3 hot on the heels of his recent success as Paul Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park”. This time he plays self-styled gun and cudgel man, Sid Prince.
The cast is rounded out by Nathan J. Yeisley (who also stage manages), Jordan Newington and Ryan May.
Set design will be by Ron Cotnam, lighting by Matt Leamy and Tommy Johnson and costumes by Diana Newington, Maryann Curmi and Lillian McLeod.
This production is made possible in part by Associate Producers, Larry and Olga Jones.
“Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” ” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from July 10 through August 9. The show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm on Thursday and Friday, 8 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. Ticket prices are $18 Thursday, $20 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $18. Students always $12. Call (209) 536-1778 or visit www.stage3.org for reservations and information.