‘Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson-Apt 2B’ is a feast of surprises
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If you happen to be an American woman who's been displaced by COVID and who's looking for a reasonable place to rent in London, this particular apartment (2B Baker Street) -- with all its erratic clutter -- might give you second thoughts.
Especially after you meet your potential roommate, a woman who seems to take delight in sword-play and who cheerfully entertains a life-size skeleton on her living room couch. It turns out you haven't anticipated what might be called the alchemical mix. Your potential roommate is currently adrift, having lost her inspiration. You, whose past she seems somehow able to intuit, have suddenly become a mystery to her, a problem to be solved. She (yes, her name is Sherlock Holmes) is delighted, feels alive again, declares she will take the case. This would be you (Dr. Joan Watson), the new flat-mate and newly-declared assistant. And suddenly, the game (as they say) is afoot.
This opening scene, with its fair share of surprises, serves as a mere appetizer for the feast of surprises yet to come in "Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson-Apt 2B," the final offering of Millbrook's highly successful 63rd season.
As a slew of antagonists announce themselves with a shuddering footfall on the stairs, the unlikely detectives find themselves paired off against possible anarchists, a street walker with a maniacal laugh, a cowboy billionaire who champions family values and a denizen of the illegal underground. Add in a bloody bathtub, mismatched wedding rings, a damning sex tape and a black notebook that may or may not contain Holmes's most revealing strategies and you have a production that adds up to a delightful mix of non-stop mayhem and merriment.
A playful tongue-in-cheek spirit, embodied not only by the two protagonists but also by their trickster con artists, pervades a story that ultimately celebrates the joy of the chase. While Holmes and Watson are busy taking on, and solving, a series of challenging cases, the supporting characters are busy slyly transforming themselves into a cast of slippery opponents whose challenges only seem to escalate.
Four talented actors manage to convey beautifully the pleasures of the hunt.
Tommy Anderson, who gave us an unforgettable narcissistic Dracula in "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors," returns here to play a series of characters who, once again, draw us in with their dangerous, charmingly seductive wiles.
Marisa Budnick returns to Millbrook's stage after her turn as the delightfully annoying Mrs. Peacock in "Clue," bringing once again her comedic chops to characters that include a hysterical landlady, a dead man in a bloody bathtub, a wronged wife and a vengeful mistress.
Their skilled performances bring to the production some serious slapstick comedy with just the right hint of danger.
Brenna Peerbolt, who astonished us with her spirited performance in "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors," is a terrific Holmes, bringing a zany, articulate, blinkered arrogance to her turn as the detective consultant -- as well as a tender vulnerability as the walls she's erected against feeling are finally broken down.
And Kasey Karoll, after playing the hilarious, non-nonsense cook Suzette in "Don't Dress for Dinner," brings a similar irreverent skepticism to these proceedings, grounding the production in real-world clarity while providing in her person the human compassion that Holmes has had to shut out.
A shout-out to Director and Sound Designer Amanda Coffin, who returns to Millbrook after directing "Godspell," "Gaslight" and the "Savannah Sipping Society." For me, "Gaslight" remains one of Millbrook's all-time stand-outs, and I appreciate Ms. Coffin's abilities, in that production as well as this one, to create a taut, spirited production.
The entire production team is once again to be commended for an outstanding season. Thanks to Ericka Lee Conklin, as associate producer and stage manager; to Cade M. Sikora as technical director and set designer; to Lighting Designer Sarah Goldstein; to Costume Designer Cole Hudson; to Junior Scenic Designer Jonas Hildreth; to Props Designer V.C. Deener; to Assistant Stage Manager and Sound Engineer Kaidyn Rogers; to Fight Choreographer Aaron White; and to Assistant Director Kathryn Farrall.
And a shout-out as well to David Leidholdt, producing artistic director, and to David Gritzner, managing director, for living the dream.
Your collective ability to come up with one exceptional production after another within the short space of a summer season is indeed worth celebrating.
The 63rd season is drawing to a close. The play will take place on Millbrook's main stage through Aug. 23. For the price of a good dinner out, you can treat yourself to a live performance by our own professional summer stock theatre. An opportunity not to be missed! Get your tickets now. The world's conundrums may remain unsolved, but you'll have a terrific time.
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Karen Elias lives in Swissdale. She taught English for more than 30 years, most recently at Lock Haven University and Penn College.