CRT Presents Regional Premiere of “Sherlock Holmes & The West End Horror”

For the fourth show in their 44th annual summer season, Cortland Repertory Theatre presents the Central New Yorkpremiere of the new mystery/comedy “Sherlock Holmes & the West End Horror” by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Anthony Dodge, adapted from the novel by Nicholas Meyer. Performances will run from July 29th – August 8th with evening performances at 7:30 PM.  Matinees are available on July 31st, 4th, and 5th at 2:00 PM.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.

In this clever and intriguing mystery, fact and fantasy blend when fictional characters interact with real-life historical figures.  A despicable theatre critic has been murdered, and Holmes and Watson are soon visited by George Bernard Shaw, an aspiring Irish playwright who entices Holmes to take the case. As they cross swords with the most famous literary luminaries of the day — Oscar Wilde, Gilbert & Sullivan, Henry Irving, Bram Stoker, and a young H.G. Wells – Holmes and Watson come face to face with their own celebrity as they pursue the killer in this rollickingly funny whodunit!  The production is unique in its presentation as the actors play multiple characters, sometimes adding costume pieces on stage to depict different people.  The multi-talented CRT cast also create music and sound effects with instruments and props.

Directing this production is Shaun Peknic in his CRT debut.  Peknic comes to Cortland direct from Broadway, where he was the Associate Director of the Tony Award winning musical “Once.”  He also served as the Associate Director of “Once” for the First National Tour, and on the West End and Toronto productions.

Starring as Sherlock Holmes is James Taylor Odom, who was last seen on the CRT stage earlier this summer in “1776” playing the role of Scotsman Col. Thomas McKean.  Returning to CRT to play Dr. Watson is Joel Stigliano, who played the same character last year in “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily”.   Stigliano has also been seen at CRT in “Buddy”, “The 1940’s Radio Hour”, “The Unexpected Guest” and “The Full Monty”.  Completing the cast are CRT’s Performing Intern Company, who play multiple characters including Henry Irving, Oscar Wilde, Gilbert and Sullivan, Bram Stoker and many more.  The interns include Connor Cook, Jared Goldsmith, Lukas Miller, Logan Mortier, Brian Reiff and Daniel Wisniewski.  All six were also seen earlier this summer in “1776” and “The Addams Family” and were also the cast of the CRT Kids production of “The Jungle Book”.

Stage Manager Erin Heare leads the design and production team. Andrea Nice makes her CRT debut as Scenic Designer with costumes created by long-time CRT Costume Designer Wendi Zea.  Continuing their work this season are Props Designer Amanda Diaz, Sound Designer Seth Asa Sengel and Technical Director Dana White Jr. The lighting design is created by CRT Production Manager Eric Behnke and Rachel Kartiganer continues as Assistant Stage Manager.

CRT continues “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew takes place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the final two productions in our summer season; “Miracle on South Division Street” and “Suds: the Rockin’ 60’s Soap Opera”.