Ken Ludwig's

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Summary:

Director: Dan Ashlock

Curses! The hounds are out and a mystery is afoot!  Comedic genius Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. The action is fast paced, as are costume changes, and strong comedic reflexes are required.  Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script along with some improv and other theater games. Please plan to attend the entire audition session (9:00am-12:00pm). Please bring the attached audition form along with a headshot and resume, if you have one. Copies of the audition form will be available to fill out the day of auditions if you do not have access to a printer. Typically, rehearsals are 3-4 times a week and are scheduled with the actors’ conflicts considered. Rehearsals begin September 8th.  Actors must be available for the entire tech week October 9-15 and for all performance dates October 16-26, NO EXCEPTIONS. 

Characters

CHARACTERS: Performers of ALL ethnicities, physical abilities, and gender identities are encouraged to audition.  All ages are “stage ages” and flexible.   Two actors to portray Holmes and Watson.  Three additional actors portray all the remainder of characters in the story. The director will also be casting for two non-speaking roles as stage ninjas! These performers will use performative movement to take the characters from scene to scene including interacting with the scene in-between!

SHERLOCK HOLMES: (Male identifying, 30s – 50s). Highly intelligent, energetic, confident, charismatic, moody, quick witted, obsessive. Thinks very highly of his close friend Watson. A sophisticated mind who likes the opera and savors adventure and an intriguing mystery.  Holmes has a manic gleam of mischief in his eyes and a mind that works overtime.

DOCTOR WATSON: (Male identifying, 30s - 50s). Smart, grounded, and full of heart and wonder. A learned physician and dependable comrade, Watson lives to have adventures but is forever unable to keep up with Holmes’ mind. Watson is the archetypal late Victorian/Edwardian gentleman. We see the play through his eyes. The heart and soul of the play. 

ACTOR ONE: (Male identifying, 20s – 50s) Great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally (including multiple dialects). Multiple roles, including STAPLETON (seemingly geeky butterfly lover who conceals a psychopath within), BARRYMORE (mournful caretaker of Baskerville Hall), and DR. MORTIMER (A medical man who brings the case to HOLMES).

ACTOR TWO: (Male identifying, 20s - 50s). Great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally (including multiple dialects). Multiple roles, including SIR HUGO BASKERVILLE (a brutal, cruel Cavalier), WILSON (exuberant, hearty head of messenger office), SIR HENRY BASKERVILLE (young Texan relation to Baskervilles, open-hearted, earnest, ready for adventure and to fall in love), LUCY (loving wife of WILSON), and INSPECTOR LESTRADE (cocky police inspector). 

ACTRESS ONE: (Female identifying, 20s-50s). Great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally (including multiple dialects). Multiple roles, including MRS. BARRYMORE (severe, humorless Swedish caretaker of Baskerville Hall), MILKER (scrappy Dickensian urchin boy), LAURA LYONS (owner of a typing establishment; distraught and put upon, melodramatic), and DAISY (a maid with an odd laugh).

NINJA ONE: (NON SPEAKING, ALL ethnicities, physical abilities, and gender identities). 

NINJA TWO: (NON SPEAKING, ALL ethnicities, physical abilities, and gender identities). 

Audition Information:

When: Auditions: Saturday August 9th from 9am- 12pm.

The show will run Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October 16th-26th.

What: Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script, improv, and dialect play. 

Where: Ghostlight Theatre, 13541 West Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, AZ 85375.

Video auditions can be sent to  admin@ghostlightaz.com and will be accepted until end of day August 9th for anyone who cannot attend in person. 

For questions, please email us at productionmanager@ghostlightaz.com.

Callbacks will be held by invitation TBD.