Offering a fresh, feminist twist on the Arthur Conan Doyle dynamic, "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B" is a breezy, crowd-pleasing production filled with mystery, humor and pizzazz.
The four-member cast bursts with energetic aplomb, delivering rapid-fire dialogue packed with pop culture references, broad physical gags and displaying ample chemistry.
Kelen Coleman, as Sherlock Holmes, is the focal point and undisputed star of the production. A veteran of TV series "How to Get Away with Murder," "The Mindy Project," "The Office" and "The Newsroom," she thrives on dry, pompous mystery explanations. Her counterpart, Regina Fernandez, plays befuddled roommate Joan Watson, thriving on zealous reactions and excelling as the constant butt of jokes.
Aaron Cammack thrives as Inspector Lestrade, a prim, by-the-book detective who scrambles to keep up with Holmes, and wildcard Michelle Duffy, as notorious escort Irene Adler, offers off-kilter momentum shifts, forging a rift in the Holmes-Watson friendship with her shameless flirtation.
The cast makes up for the often uneven writing, willing jokes into laughter with grand flourishes and subtle touches. Interacting like clockwork, the performers sell a series of vignettes with self-aware panache, letting the audience in on the fun as the ludicrously complicated mysteries unravel with improbable twists.
Well worth a look for fans of the Sherlock Holmes oeuvre, "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson" doles out whimsical delights. The decision of whether or not to spend a night with the two sleuths should be elementary.
"Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B' plays at The Temple of Music and Art trough June 7 and in Phoenix June 14-29. Buy tickets here.
No comments:
Post a Comment