By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Star of Arabia – a rare 50-carat diamond – is at the center of the mystery Sherlock Holmes and the Star of Arabia, being presented this weekend and next at The Tudor House by the Heisler Theater Company.
In the script, written by local Sherlock Holmes expert Richard Lavin, Sherlock Holmes is called in to solve the mystery in only the way that the masterful Holmes can do, through observation, deduction and logic in historic London. The Star of Arabia has been in a hidden location for everyone’s protection for decades. The Star – which has been bought, sold, and stolen over the centuries – is thought to be cursed.
The diamond has wound up in Lord Peter Carady’s hands, passed down from his grandfather. When he wants to sell it, the Star is stolen, and the bodies begin to stack up, so Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate. Along with Dr. John Watson and Inspector Lestrade, Holmes must discover who has stolen the Star and who the murderer is – or is it who the murderers are.
The show will be staged at the Tudor House for two weekends, April 26, 27 and 28 and May 3, 4 and 5.
The cast includes Jeff Heisler as Sherlock Holmes; Michael Squyres, Dr. Watson; Christopher Marin, Inspector Lestrade; Jess Stark, Lady Iris Carady; Gaye Gamble-Heisler, Mrs. Hudson; David Heisler, Lord Peter/Sheik Bakri; Brian Follis, Alec Collier; Maynard Smith, Jack Sentry; Michael Farris, Rooney/Fr. Martin/Dimitri; Steve Sandlin, Auctioneer/Smithfield; Allan Johnson, Ed Bonus; Becky Ikenberry, Countess Kurovna; Marcel Machler, Douglas Anslo; Mark Lujan Trujillo, Omar Massoud; Amanda Talbot, Jessica; and Cassandra Pate as Sonia. The musical accompanist, excellently setting the various moods of the show on violin, is Renelle Wigham.
The scenery is unique and modern as the Heisler Theater uses a rear-screen projection technique that makes for swift scene changes and ornate detailed backdrops. Doing the lights and the choreography is Matthew Merola; the script manager doing sounds and backdrops is Alex May; the stage managers are Cassandra Pate and Shari Spencer; stage crew is Lori Uhler; and managing the props is Samm Starr.
Shows begin at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a 4 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Dinner is available at a separate cost prior to the evening performances. Tickets are available at www.HeislerTheater.com.
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