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LOOKING for a clue in “The Hound of the Baskervilles” are J.T. O’Connor as Watson, Michael Frederic as Holmes, and Dan Matisa as Sir Henry Baskerville. The Sherlock Holmes spoof willbe performed at The Public Theatre in Lewiston.
LOOKING for a clue in “The Hound of the Baskervilles” are J.T. O’Connor as Watson, Michael Frederic as Holmes, and Dan Matisa as Sir Henry Baskerville. The Sherlock Holmes spoof willbe performed at The Public Theatre in Lewiston.
LEWISTON — The Public Theatre presents the Maine premiere of “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” playing Jan. 25 to Feb. 3.

This side-splitting Sherlock Holmes spoof turns the tale of an ancient family curse and a mysterious hound from hell inside out, and stuffs it with nonstop laughter, a news release said.

A news release describes the play as follows:

In the style of “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged),” a three-man theatrical troupe sets out to tour the country with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular spinetingling thriller “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” However, given the company’s lowbudget, this rag-tag group must portray not only Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, but a cavalcade of 13 loony and sinister characters.

“Theater doesn’t come much sillier than this,” Director Janet Mitchko said in a news release. “I have the best job in the world right now. Every day I go to work and get to laugh ridiculously hard with some of the funniest, most talented comic actors I know, and my job is to ask ‘how do we make it funnier?’”

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Audiences may recognize two of the actors from last year’s production of “Around The World in 80 Days.”

“We struck gold with the comic team of Michael Frederic and Dan Matisa and have reunited them in this production,” Mitchko said. Frederic will be playing Sherlock Holmes, as well as five other characters including a mysterious Spanish woman who becomes the love interest of Sir Henry Baskerville.

The role of Sir Henry and five others will be played by Dan Matisa. Having played a wacky assortment of multiple roles in last year’s “Around the World in 80 Days,” Matisa is looking forward to attempting a new cast of silly characters.

Playing the role of Dr. Watson will be actor J.T. O’Connor. J.T. has appeared at The Public Theatre in “The Nerd,” “Rough Crossing” and as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” He was seen most recently on television in “The Good Wife” and “One Life to Live.”

Set designer Jennifer Madigan is creating the moors of England, with the support of lighting designer Bart Garvey, costume designer Jonna Klaiber and sound designer Neil James.

“The Hound of The Baskervilles” will be performed at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Jan. 25, 26, 27, 31, Feb. 1, 2, 3, with special morning student matinees on Jan. 29 and 30. Performance times are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. An additional Saturday matinee will be held on Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.

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Tickets are adults $18, youth (18 and under) $5, group rate (10+) $15.

For tickets, call The Public Theatre Box Office at 782-3200 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org.


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