The following is a press release issued by Mendocino Theater Company:
The Mendocino Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Ken Ludwig’s BASKERVILLE: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, directed by the talented Alexander Wright. This thrilling adaptation of the classic novel The Hound of the Baskervilles showcases the incredible acting talents of Ricci Dedola as Sherlock Holmes and Kay Smith as Dr. Watson. Joining them are the versatile ensemble cast members Brady Voss, Lucas Kiehn-Thilman, and Lorry Lepaule who take on over 40 roles to bring this legendary mystery to life. To say the play is a romp is an understatement.
Baskerville will have special previews on March 6 and 7, leading up to the grand opening on Saturday, March 8. The premiere will be celebrated as part of a gala event in honor of the 49th season of captivating performances at MTC, promising an unforgettable night of entertainment. The show continues its run through April 6 playing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.
About the Story
Based on the iconic tale “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this production pays homage to the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson but with a theatrical and comic twist.
Doyle’s creation of Sherlock Holmes introduced innovative uses of the scientific method in solving crimes, setting the stage for countless mystery stories to come. The original Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic detective novel. The story follows the investigation of the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, whose family is believed to be cursed by a supernatural hound. As Holmes and Watson unravel the secrets of the Baskerville family, they must confront their fears and outwit a cunning killer to solve the case. The novel is known for its suspenseful atmosphere, intricate plot twists, and the brilliant deductive reasoning of Sherlock Holmes.
Ken Ludwig’s play, “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” is a unique adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic. Ludwig’s interpretation offers a comedic and interactive twist to the original story by incorporating elements of farce and humor. The fast paced, witty dialogue, coupled with multiple costume changes adds an air of clownish fun to the mystery. Through this innovative approach, Ludwig breathes new life into the timeless tale of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson’s investigation of the mysterious Baskerville case.
About the Director
Director Alexander Wright (Alex), comes to MTC with an extensive background in film and stage. As such, he brings a wealth of experience to the Baskerville production, promising a show that will captivate and thrill audiences. During his long and varied career in the theatre, Alex has directed over 40 shows, including almost half of Shakespeare’s canon. As founder and producer at Los Angeles’ Wallenboyd Theater he directed 15 shows and was the recipient of the Career Achievement Award and the LAWEE Award for Best Production of the Year for two years. During its time, the Wallenboyd Theater company was awarded numerous Ovation, Drama Critics Circle, Dramalogue, and LAWEE awards. The range of Alex’s talent also embraces music and he brings this to MTC as Sound Designer for the current production. Alex has served as a Composer/Music Director for live theatre and a composer of soundtracks for short independent films. Finally, as a professional actor, Alex has appeared in a variety film, television, and stage productions. MTC is thrilled to welcome this talented artist to our community.
About the Actors
Actors Ricci Dedola and Kay Smith are sure to bring a fresh new perspective to the main characters of Sherlock and Dr. Watson. Ricci Dedola was most recently seen portraying the title role in last season’s Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George. You may remember her also in as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, Cassandra in Vanya, Masha, Sonia and Spike and Mary Wooley in Bull in a China Shop.
Newcomer, Michel Bonner makes his MTC debut, as the iconic Dr. John Watson. Michael has been seen on the North Coast as part of the Sea Ranch Thespians, most recently in the role of John Barrymore in Paul Rudnick’s I Hate Hamlet. Most comfortable with comedy – not just comedic roles, but finding the humor in the dark places— Michael did a lot of improv at Northwestern in comedy clubs and performed in the 2nd and 3rd Mee-Ow shows (What’s Mee-Ow? Just ask later players Steven Colbert, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Seth Myers.) Michael is also known for his corporate voice over work and recently narrating audiobooks.
Finally, rounding off the Baskerville ensemble cast are the multi-talented Brady Voss (Born With Teeth and The Thanksgiving Play), Lucas Kiehn-Thilman (Woody Guthrie’s American Song and A Thousand Clowns) and veteran favorite, Lorry Lepaule, who is well known for her many roles on stage MTC as well as her mentorship of The Green Space Players youth program.
About the Designers
Baskerville costumer, Christina Wright, recently retired as Manager of Costume Design at Universal Studios, Hollywood. She brings her extensive design talent to the Mendocino Theatre Company for the first time. Christina’s award-winning work has appeared at The Kansas City Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse and Denver Center for the Performing Arts among others. She was recipient of the 2011 Henry Award for Outstanding Costume Design and the 2007 First Americans in the Arts Trustee Award. In edition to elegantly dressing Sherlock and Dr. Watson, Christina takes on the unique challenge of creating costumes for the 40 other characters who are being played by only three actors. Her experience and expertise in designing diverse and visually striking costumes will surely shine in this production, as she navigates the complexities of bringing each character to life on stage in a creative and innovative way. Quick changes, wigs and funny surprises abound.
Veteran MTC lighting and scenic artist, Jeff Rowlings, designs both lights and scenery for Baskerville and brings to the stage an exciting new scenic element. For the first time, Mendocino audiences will be treated to high resolution digital scenery throughout the production. Although similar technology has appeared at MTC before, this is the first time such scenery has played a key role in the a changes of location and the appearance of special characters.
Patricia Price, affectionately known as MTC’s “Resident Stage Manager Extraordinaire” will provide a veritable avalanche of innovative props to accompany this mad-dash of an evening.
Tickets for Ken Ludwig’s BASKERVILLE: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery are now on sale at Mendocinotheatre.org or by calling 707-937-4477. For those looking to experience the magic of MTC beyond this production, season subscriptions are also still available.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to delve into the world of Sherlock Holmes and witness a riveting mystery unfold on stage. Join us at the Mendocino Theatre Company for an evening of intrigue, suspense, and unforgettable performances.
