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DISCOVER! | JULY 6, 2024
Playbill | 7
MYRNA WAGNER | STAFF WRITER
British detective duo on stage at OST
Play based on famous tale ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’
A
dark brown brick wall and
empty gold picture frames create
a bit of mood and mystery
from the opening curtain for the play
“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock
Holmes Mystery” that takes to the
stage for the second week of Okoboji
Summer Theatre’s 66th season.
A cast of just six actors bring to
life a wide variety of characters in
this classic story starring the most
famous British detective, Sherlock
Holmes, played by one of the OST’s
most famous actors, Rob Doyen.
Another OST favorite guest actor,
Chad Fess, plays the role of the nearly
inseparable partner, Dr. Watson.
Set on the moors of Devonshire
surrounding the Baskerville estate
outside of London, the play is a
somewhat humorous adaptation by
playwright Ken Ludwig of Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle’s book “The Hound
of the Baskervilles.” Heirs to the
Baskerville family estate are being
murdered, and Holmes and Watson
are tasked with solving the mystery.
“There are layers upon layers and
nothing adds up” Holmes says to
Watson in the early moments of Act
II.
That is as it should be for a mystery
that has everyone wondering until
the final moments.
Though the theme of the play is
serious, there is comedy and humor
laced throughout, seen in the physicality
of the acting and the exaggerated
stereotypes of characters.
In addition to Holmes and Watson,
four actors play all the other characters,
relying primarily on costume
changes, spoken accents and physical
movements to convey the many
roles.
The mastermind behind all the intricate
details of the show is director
Stephen Brotebeck. Timing is critical
to the success of a mystery like this
and Brotebeck is mindful of every
detail. Lights, sounds, blocking and
props all change in rapid succession
enabling a small cast to carry out the
vast number of roles.
As an audience member you don’t
first realize you’re seeing the same actors
on repeat. Once the realization
hits it is impressive to watch for the
changes and nuances, all executed by
Stephens College students.
The small cast is also able to execute
many roles through the genius
of the script and design of the set. As
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
think aloud and form theories, they
are able to introduce characters. A
small stage in the background of the
larger stage also allows these scenes
to come to life while the characters
are talking.
The genius of set designer Brandon
PT Davis works perfectly for the
telling of stories within stories. Paint
charge for his design is Katie Cohen.
Actor Quinten Loveland’s primary
character is Sir Henry, a hearty man
with a drawl who has recruited the
help of Holmes and Watson. He
also plays the town constable, and
switches seamlessly from his drawl
to an Irish brogue. Particularly
impressive is Loveland’s execution
when both of these characters are
on stage at the same time and he
is able to fill both parts simply by
holding up the hat and using both
of his voices.
Joseph Alan Murphy is equally
impressive in his ability to switch
roles. Primarily Jack Stapleton, he is
also Dr. Mortimer, John Barrymore
and more. He executes physical
disabilities remarkably well and
handles dozens of costume changes
in minimal time.
Arden Ogilvie and Nylah Strong
are the female cast members,
also filling many roles with accents,
unique mannerisms and costume
changes. Impressive that these actors
do not show the stress of speedy costume
changes.
The talent on stage is matched by
the talents making things happen
behind the scenes.
Makenzie Schutter handles the
challenge of costume design for the
show, with assistance from Sydney
Johnson. Props go hand-in-hand
with costumes in this production,
Getting there:
WHAT: “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville:
A Sherlock Holmes Mystery”
WHEN: Through Sunday, July 7
(no Thursday performances this
season)
WHERE: Okoboji Summer Theatre,
2001 Highway 71, Okoboji
TICKETS: $24
RESERVATIONS: Call the box
office at 712-332-7773 or visit
the website eventbrite.com and
search by title.
UP NEXT: “Freaky Friday,” a musical,
playing July 9-14
handled by prop supervisor Fae
Riemann-Royer.
Ashley Russell is stage manager, assisted
by Paige “Blue” True.
Kayla Sliger is sound designer with
Savannah Bell serving as lighting
designer.
Dramatic music and dramatic
lighting are perfectly paired with
sound effects. Listen for the wind,
thunder, train whistle, typewriter,
growling dog, creaking door and
wind. Fog is particularly effective too,
both at the train station and when
the action moves into the moors and
heavy fog rolls in.
When the music is soft and romantic,
the lights are as well. When
the music shifts to the dramatic,
lights on the scrim shift from purple
and fuchsia to red and orange. Drab
nearly colorless greenish taupe light
is appropriate for the melancholy
moments. A final spotlight on the
two genius detectives is a dramatic
and fitting way to end.
Though there is much unknown
during the telling of the tale, all is
neatly wrapped up and explained
in the end, with a bit of philosophy
shared for theatregoers.
“That part of our souls that is dark
and troubling — the hound is in all
of us.” F
Okoboji | Iowa