Published: September 24, 2008 04:48 pm      

IRT's season opener a success

One of the greatest characters in Victorian crime comes to life on the Indiana Repertory Theatre stage. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” took two of more than 50 of Doyle’s short stories — “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Final Problem” — and wove them together into a mystery for the minds and an adventure for the eyes.

This show truly captures the romantic, thrilling, cryptic entertainment one would seek in a mystery.

Director Peter Amster took the 1890s story and kicked it up a notch for the opening production for IRT’s 37th season. He tries to draw the audience into suspense while creating a bold expression and dramatic stage movement through the characters.

Scenic designer Russell Metheny and lighting designer Shannon McKinney present the audience with a dramatic color sequence and a detailed setting to paint a picture of the lurky, dark, and dangerous setting.

Holmes, played by Jonathan Gillard Daly, and his righthand man, Doctor Watson, played by Mark Goetzinger, complimented each other immensely as their characters team up for the last challenge — facing Holmes’ arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

Nigel Patterson transformed Moriarty’s character into a convincing evil villain who is the vision of excellence as his sharp character creates havoc throughout the world.

Moriarty’s two-faced attorney, James Larrabee, is a perfect match for actor Ryan Artzberger. He uses his energy, skill, and determination to take the convincing character from story to reality.

Michele Graff gives Irene Adler, the spellbinding opera diva — who is a convincer for the hearts of even the toughest, smartest, good, and evil men — the spitting image of perfection.

The IRT took a risk with putting on such a mystery, but it was a risk in their favor. This season’s opener is going out with a bang.

— Andrea Hirsch is a reporter with the Hendricks County Flyer.



andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com