DELIGHTFUL BLEND OF TWO CLASSICS JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS AT WESTPORT'S A SHERLOCK CAROL
By Kiersten Bjork (December 17, 2024)
A Sherlock Carol, currently playing at Westport Country Playhouse, is a playhouse mashup of two classic properties – A Christmas Carol and Sherlock Holmes – that is sure to delight even the “Scroogiest” theatregoer. Written and directed by Playhouse artistic director, Mark Shanahan, A Sherlock Carol is the perfect blend of the iconic Sherlock characters and suspenseful mysteries with the cast and holiday spiritual journey of A Christmas Carol. Fans of either story will be intrigued to see how the two play off of each other, and even if you’ve never experienced either tale, A Sherlock Carol is packed with the magic of the season and will be a treat for anyone looking for a dose of Christmas cheer.
A Sherlock Carol follows Sherlock Holmes after the death of Moriarty. He fears that he is being haunted by the spirit of his former nemesis, and as Christmas descends upon the city, Holmes is not in the most festive of spirits. When the news comes of the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mystery begins to unfold, as a grown-up Tiny Tim believes it may have been murder! Enter a cast of Dickens favorites, from Martha Cratchit and a young Fezziwig, to Scrooge himself, mixed up in a potential murder that Holmes must investigate. What ensues is an enjoyable caper full of inside jokes and callbacks to both sets of source material, performed by a talented company within a charming design.
A Sherlock Carol, currently playing at Westport Country Playhouse, is a playhouse mashup of two classic properties – A Christmas Carol and Sherlock Holmes – that is sure to delight even the “Scroogiest” theatregoer. Written and directed by Playhouse artistic director, Mark Shanahan, A Sherlock Carol is the perfect blend of the iconic Sherlock characters and suspenseful mysteries with the cast and holiday spiritual journey of A Christmas Carol. Fans of either story will be intrigued to see how the two play off of each other, and even if you’ve never experienced either tale, A Sherlock Carol is packed with the magic of the season and will be a treat for anyone looking for a dose of Christmas cheer.
A Sherlock Carol follows Sherlock Holmes after the death of Moriarty. He fears that he is being haunted by the spirit of his former nemesis, and as Christmas descends upon the city, Holmes is not in the most festive of spirits. When the news comes of the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mystery begins to unfold, as a grown-up Tiny Tim believes it may have been murder! Enter a cast of Dickens favorites, from Martha Cratchit and a young Fezziwig, to Scrooge himself, mixed up in a potential murder that Holmes must investigate. What ensues is an enjoyable caper full of inside jokes and callbacks to both sets of source material, performed by a talented company within a charming design.
L-R: Dan Domingues, Isabel Keating, Joe Delafield, and Sharone Sayegh in A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse (T. Charles Erickson)
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L-R: Drew McVety, Dan Domingues, and Byron St. Cyr in A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse (T. Charles Erickson)
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Drew McVety plays Sherlock Holmes to perfection. McVety captures the essence of Holmes from start to finish, filling the role with the precise energy needed for the sharp deductions and witty remarks that we have come to know and love about the character. McVety is poised and polished, never missing a beat, which is particularly impressive during the lengthy monologues as he unfolds the details Holmes has gleaned about a person.
Dr. Cratchit, a grown-up Tiny Tim, is portrayed by Dan Domingues, who also plays a number of other roles. Domingues is enjoyable to watch in this role, as he imbues the part with just enough of a childlike joy reminiscent of a young Tiny Tim, balanced with the dedication and fortitude of a grown man trying to run a hospital in a time when funds are short. As with many of the actors in the company, it is quite fun to see the dramatic shifts employed as Domingues changes into a range of other characters, filling out the story with grandiose personalities and delightful accents.
Dr. Watson and more are played by Joe Delafield. Delafield is wonderful in each of his roles, but my particular favorite is his turn as Scrooge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber. Delafield is absolutely hilarious in this role and had the audience in stitches at many different points throughout the night. His choices heighten the drama of each moment, filling the scenes with humorous vocal and physical choices that all add to the humor of the show.
Isabel Keating plays The Countess of Morcar, a former flame of Sherlock’s. Keating is charming as the Countess, and also has some moments of pure comedy gold as Dr. Cratchit’s sister, Martha Cratchit. One of my favorite moments in the show is when Martha gives Sherlock a taste of his own deductions, leaving Sherlock quite surprised.
Byron St. Cyr is Ebenezer Scrooge himself, and unlike many depictions of the character, is able to play Scrooge in his changed, Christmas-loving era for the vast majority of the show. In this tale, Scrooge takes on the work of the spirits of Christmas, and Cyr does a lovely job imbuing the character with warmth, joy, and mirth. Cyr exudes Christmas spirit, which is just right for this rendition of the character.
Emma Wiggins and more are played by Sharone Sayegh, who is endearing as the young Wiggins begging Sherlock to take the case to free her father. Sayegh also appears as a number of other characters, one of my favorites being the few moments as the stein-wielding innkeeper. Sayegh dives fully into each and every part she plays and rounds out the company beautifully.
Dr. Cratchit, a grown-up Tiny Tim, is portrayed by Dan Domingues, who also plays a number of other roles. Domingues is enjoyable to watch in this role, as he imbues the part with just enough of a childlike joy reminiscent of a young Tiny Tim, balanced with the dedication and fortitude of a grown man trying to run a hospital in a time when funds are short. As with many of the actors in the company, it is quite fun to see the dramatic shifts employed as Domingues changes into a range of other characters, filling out the story with grandiose personalities and delightful accents.
Dr. Watson and more are played by Joe Delafield. Delafield is wonderful in each of his roles, but my particular favorite is his turn as Scrooge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber. Delafield is absolutely hilarious in this role and had the audience in stitches at many different points throughout the night. His choices heighten the drama of each moment, filling the scenes with humorous vocal and physical choices that all add to the humor of the show.
Isabel Keating plays The Countess of Morcar, a former flame of Sherlock’s. Keating is charming as the Countess, and also has some moments of pure comedy gold as Dr. Cratchit’s sister, Martha Cratchit. One of my favorite moments in the show is when Martha gives Sherlock a taste of his own deductions, leaving Sherlock quite surprised.
Byron St. Cyr is Ebenezer Scrooge himself, and unlike many depictions of the character, is able to play Scrooge in his changed, Christmas-loving era for the vast majority of the show. In this tale, Scrooge takes on the work of the spirits of Christmas, and Cyr does a lovely job imbuing the character with warmth, joy, and mirth. Cyr exudes Christmas spirit, which is just right for this rendition of the character.
Emma Wiggins and more are played by Sharone Sayegh, who is endearing as the young Wiggins begging Sherlock to take the case to free her father. Sayegh also appears as a number of other characters, one of my favorites being the few moments as the stein-wielding innkeeper. Sayegh dives fully into each and every part she plays and rounds out the company beautifully.
L-R: Drew McVety and Byron St. Cyr in A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse (T. Charles Erickson)
Scenic design by James J. Fenton brings us into the streets of London at Christmas time. The design utilizes numerous rolling pieces that are set and struck as needed to bring us into various locations over the course of the story, from Scrooge’s home to Dr. Cratchit’s hospital, all the while living within the frame of the charming city streets.
Lighting designer Alyssandra Docherty builds upon the scenery to draw us further into the story via light and shadow. The scenes are highlighted skillfully with the lighting choices, and I particularly enjoyed the concept for the entrance of the spirit.
Costume designer Linda Cho does an excellent job fitting the characters within the world of the show. From carolers to Cratchits, the company is outfitted well for the period, and the weather, and the costume design elevates the production across the board. I particularly enjoyed the festive touches to Scrooge’s costume.
Music and sound design by John Gromada is well done. The effects used for the voices of the haunting spirits were quite fun, and the balance was strong throughout.
Lighting designer Alyssandra Docherty builds upon the scenery to draw us further into the story via light and shadow. The scenes are highlighted skillfully with the lighting choices, and I particularly enjoyed the concept for the entrance of the spirit.
Costume designer Linda Cho does an excellent job fitting the characters within the world of the show. From carolers to Cratchits, the company is outfitted well for the period, and the weather, and the costume design elevates the production across the board. I particularly enjoyed the festive touches to Scrooge’s costume.
Music and sound design by John Gromada is well done. The effects used for the voices of the haunting spirits were quite fun, and the balance was strong throughout.
Byron St. Cyr in A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse (T. Charles Erickson)
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L-R: Drew McVety and Byron St. Cyr in A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse (T. Charles Erickson)
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A Sherlock Carol is an enjoyable blend of two beloved properties, filled with all the magic of the holiday season. Don’t miss the chance to see it live on stage, performed by a talented company, just in time for the holidays. Experience the production for yourself – see A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse before it closes on December 22!
A Sherlock Carol runs December 17-22, 2024, at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT. Tickets are available online at westportplayhouse.org/show/a-sherlock-carol/ or by calling the Box Office at (203) 227-4177.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
A Sherlock Carol runs December 17-22, 2024, at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT. Tickets are available online at westportplayhouse.org/show/a-sherlock-carol/ or by calling the Box Office at (203) 227-4177.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.