by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Theatre Department is returning to the stage to bring to life a classic tale of mystery and intrigue.
“Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” follows Sherlock and Dr. Watson as they try to solve their greatest case.
Ken Ludwig, who brought to life Broadway’s “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Moon Over Buffalo” transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic “The Hound of the Baskervilles” into a funny adventure where the two detectives work to figure out the murderer’s identity before a family curse dooms its newest heir. It is directed by Charles Leader, director of theater at KCKCC.
The production is at 7:30 p.m. March 2, 3 and 4 at the KCKCC Performing Arts Center and 2:30 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Admission is free for all KCKCC students, staff and faculty who present valid identification.
“The thing I like best about this production is the collaborative process,” Leader said. “Dialoguing with the designers on the look and function of the various elements is key if our storytelling process is to be successful. We are incorporating new techniques in visualizing scenery through projections while incorporating a surround sound system to reinforce movement to and from the various locales required in the script.”
The cast includes Brett Culbert, KCKCC alum, Sherlock Holmes; Adam Lillich, KCKCC alum, Dr. John Watson; Gary Enrique Bradley-Lopez, Dr. Mortimer, Baron Scarpia, Man with Black Beard, Lucy, Milker, Castilian Desk Clerk, Trap Driver, Barrymore, Stapleton, Dr. McCann, Country Farmer and Sir John Falstaff; Jamel Toliver, Sir Charles Baskerville, Sir Hugo Baskerville, Bradley the Tobacconist, Sir Henry Baskerville, Wilson and Inspector Lestrade and Nicole Brunetti, Mrs. Hudson, Maiden, Shepherdess, Floria Tosca, Cartwright, German Main, Baby, Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Barrymore, Miss Stapleton, Nurse Malloy, Winnie, Nurse MacKeeble, Laura Lyons and Train Conductor.
“This really is a special production with some of the most talented actors to ever trod the boards on the KCKCC stage, including alumni Brett Culbert and Adam Lillich,” Leader said. “People should come see this production because of the unique manner in which it is told. Five actors creating over 40 different characters while maintaining the integrity and the suspense of a Sherlock Holmes classic. Layer on that all of the visual elements and you will have a truly wonderful evening of theatre fit for the whole family. It is fun, exciting, scary and suspenseful. Classical theatrical storytelling at its best.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 913-288-7106.